History of Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada

Jacques de Noyan was the first European settler to reach the Rainy Lake area when he spent the winter here in 1688-89. LaVerendrye soon followed in 1731 when Fort St. Pierre was built. The Northwest Company establish a strong point in the area in the 1780's along their "Voyageur Highway" which was a crucial part to the Company's trans-shipment of goods. In 1818 the Hudson Bay Company established a permanent post along Rainy River. On June 1, 1830 the Governor of the Hudson Bay Company, Sir George Simpson visited the "Lac la Pluie" with his wife Lady Frances Ramsay Simpson and in honor of her visit, he renamed "Fort Frances" on September 25 of that same year. The Town of Fort Frances was incorporated April 11, 1903.