Hudson's Bay Co. fortified post at east end of lake Athabaska, situated on a low point of sand and rock on north shore where the lake is only 2 miles wide. It consists of a number of well-built log houses surrounded by palisades of stout posts. This post is on the principal line of travel of the Barren Ground caribou in their regular migrations north and south. It was built by José Mercredi, a French half-breed, in 1845, who in 1892 was 75 years old and had been in charge of the post for 47 years. In early part of the century, about 1820, the Hudson's Bay Co. had their post on a point of the south shore. The three inhabitants were killed by Chippewyan Indians and the post looted. At the same time the North West Co. had a post on a point of the north shore a short distance farther east, but after the murder of the Hudson's Bay Co. men, they moved across to the point of south shore. The post was abandoned by both companies until rebuilt by the Hudson's Bay Co. in 1845. Since then, the post has been in constant operation. Location of post is shown on Tyrrell's map of lake Athabaska 1895 (No. 41). Both posts are shown on north shore on Rinfret map of Henry Thompson Travels (No. 3). See also H. B. Co. map 1832 (No. 101) & 1857 (No. 8); & Johnston map 1877 (No. 16). Map No. 21 Watkin 1872 shows the two locations of Fond-du-Lac on the north shore (1) near the centre and (2) at east end. Lake Athabaska was also called Lake of the Hills and Lac des Buttes.