Moose Factory, a community nestled in the Cochrane District of Ontario, Canada, is a place where history and nature intertwine. Located on Moose Factory Island, near the mouth of the Moose River at the southern end of James Bay, this settlement is the first English-speaking establishment in what is now Ontario. It's also the second Hudson's Bay Company post in North America, following Fort Rupert.
The history of Moose Factory, Ontario, dates back to the winter of 1670/71 when Pierre-Esprit Radisson, an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), explored the area. In 1673, Charles Bayly, the Governor of the HBC, established a fur-trading post originally known as Moose Fort on traditional Môsonîw Ililiw (Cree) lands.
The fort was intended to protect the company's interests from French traders to the south and was a profitable venture that significantly impacted the fur trade in New France. However, in 1686, French soldiers led by Chevalier de Troyes captured Moose Fort, renaming it Fort St. Louis. The English recaptured and burned it down in 1696, leaving no trace of the original fort.
In 1730, the HBC set up a new fort upstream from the old site to accommodate Cree traders. This fort was also destroyed by a fire in 1735 but was rebuilt over seven years. By the early 1800s, the settlement had become the headquarters for the HBC’s Southern Department.
In 1821, the HBC merged with the rival North West Company, and the post expanded beyond the fort's palisades, becoming known as Moose Factory. It served as the administrative headquarters of the Southern Department and the main base on James Bay.
Moose Factory, along with the nearby community of Moosonee, experiences a very cold humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb). The climate data is primarily sourced from Moosonee, located approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) to the west.
Moose Factory Island is politically divided into two entities: Factory Island 1, an Indian reserve belonging to the Moose Cree First Nation, and the Unorganized Cochrane District, an unincorporated southern third of the island. The island is home to the old Hudson's Bay Company post and government services.
Federally, Moose Factory is part of the Timmins--James Bay electoral district, and provincially, it's part of the Mushkegowuk—James Bay electoral district. The Mushkegowuk Tribal Council, representing eight Cree First Nations in northern Ontario, has its headquarters in Moose Factory.
Moose Factory, Ontario, is a treasure trove of attractions for history buffs and nature lovers alike. Notable attractions include the Centennial Park with its 19th-century buildings associated with the Hudson's Bay Company post, the Cree Cultural Interpretive Centre, the Cree Village Eco Lodge, and St. Thomas' Anglican Church.
Outdoor tourism activities such as trap-line tours, canoe expeditions, and snowmobile trips are locally provided. The Tidewater Provincial Park, located on the adjacent island facing Moosonee, is another popular attraction.
The Cree Cultural Interpretive Centre in Moose Factory, Ontario, is a must-visit for anyone interested in learning about Cree culture and crafts.
The Cree Village Eco Lodge in Moose Factory, Ontario, is an eco-tourist lodge with modern rooms and a restaurant. It offers a unique blend of comfort and cultural immersion, with traditional bannock and goose prepared in a teepee adjacent to the lodge.
Centennial Park in Moose Factory, Ontario, is home to the Moose Factory Buildings National Historic Site of Canada. It includes several buildings, such as the Staff House, the last surviving fur trade officer’s dwelling in Canada, and the Powder Magazine, a stone structure built in 1865-66. The park is a testament to the rich history of Moose Factory and offers a unique glimpse into the past.
