Fort Yukon, which can be reached by air from Fairbanks, was described by famous columnist Ernie Pyle as being “a half mile from the ends of the earth.” Its story is a page out of Alaska’s history.
John Bell, an employee of the Hudson’s Bay Co., reached the Yukon by way of the Porcupine River in 1846. A year later, Alexander Murray, another Hudson’s Bay man, started a new post about three miles upstream from the mouth of the Porcupine, well beyond the Arctic Circle.
The post was far inside Russian America. It was the most far-flung of their great chain of posts that stretched across the continent. It was so isolated that when the commander shipped a cargo of furs to London, reports were not received until seven years later.
In order to withstand Russian attack, Murray built the fort especially strong. As he wrote in his journal:
“We live on good terms with the Natives and fear nothing except to see two boatloads of Russians heave around the point.”
The Hudson’s Bay people held down their lonely outpost for 22 years. They were finally forced to move out, not by the Russians, but by the Americans after the United States purchased the vast land.
When Capt. Charles Raymond of the U.S. Army and his men jumped ashore from the first steamboat to ascend the Yukon that far, they were met by all of Fort Yukon’s inhabitants and treated with great hospitality.
On Aug. 9, 1869, the Union Jack came down and the Stars and Stripes were hoisted over the first English-speaking settlement on the river. The Canadians withdrew peaceably up the Porcupine River to a spot they thought was in Canada. However, they had to make two more moves before they finally got out of America.
The original post is gone – engulfed by the voracious Yukon River that is constantly gnawing away at the river’s banks.
However, the present Northern Commercial store is its direct descendent. Fur remained a medium of exchange, just as it was in the Hudson’s Bay days, for Fort Yukon always has been considered the “fur mother lode” of the North.Trappers from outlying settlements on the Porcupine, Chandalar, Big and Little Black and the Christian rivers brought their furs to the outpost. And although the decline in fur prices cut down on trappers’ income, there still may be strings of glossy pelts hanging cheek by jowl with modern electric stoves and washing machines in “The Store.”
I wonder what the original looked like? I dread to him how many animals were slaughtered for their fur.
Wow, it looks so small. Nice to know more about the Hudson’s Bay Co. post
Wow interesting that they were still fearing Russian attack. I am pretty impressed that they built this fort in the wilderness
Hi Laurel,
I meet you at the Women’s show in Anchorage recently. Thanks for sharing such interesting information of our great State’s history! I am from Fort Yukon (presently living and working in Bethel, AK) and was intrigued to read the history of my home town today. I remember the “Fort” replica that we used to play on as kids, and the museum that was inside. Mom used to have movie nights in the Fort, and it was used for various meetings, etc. The tourist loved to take pictures of it, too (along with pictures of us kids, for a dime!). I am sure that the City regrets tearing-down the Fort replica, and maybe will one day rearrect another one.
The Northern Commercial Company used to be down by the Standard Oil tanks downtown, and long-ago was moved up-town near the Post office. The store is now called the Alaska Commercial Company. Too bad many of these historical buildings have been torn down! I’m glad that your researching and sharing our state’s history is keeping it alive for all to treasure, as you continue to share pieces of our rich history from your Aunt Phil’s trunk, and from your research.
Thanks again,
Myrna in Bethel
that fort doesn’t look real strong by today’s standard, but I am sure it was back then
The Russians harvested so many animals that they almost sent the sea otters into extinction, Nick.
That little building is actually a sentry post where a few men stood guard inside with their rifles pointed out, Manu 🙂
It really is impressive what our forefathers built with rudimentary supplies and equipment, Tom 🙂
Wow – how cool that you got to play on the replica when you were a child, Myrna!
For sure, Veronica – it was strong enough for the weapons available at the time 🙂