Hudson's Bay Co. fort on south bank of the South Thompson river opposite the confluence of the North Thompson river, B. C. Alexander Ross in 1812 first traded at the junction of the South Branch with the North Branch Thompson river. In the autumn of 1812 David Stuart built the first fort at Kamloops for the Pacific Fur Co. It was situated on practically the same site as the present fort and was known at first as the "Shewaps Fort", being named after a local tribe. The Northwest Co. on absorbing the Pacific Fur Co. (called the Astoria Co.) in 1813 took over fort Shewaps and named it fort Thompson after David Thompson, constructing a new fort (the second) on the east shore of the North Branch at the confluence. This fort was attacked by the Indians on several occasions. The Hudson's Bay. Co. acquired this fort on the union of 1821. McLeod was the factor from 1822 to 1826. The fort was well stockaded and included an enclosure for 300 horses. John Todd, who was the factor from 1842 to 1850, constructed a new fort (the third) opposite McLeod's Fort, on the west side of the North Thompson river and the name was now changed to fort Kamloops (meaning "Meeting of the Waters"). It was a large fort with several dwellings and a store and other buildings. The palisades were 15 feet high and were strengthened by two bastions. A fourth fort, the present one, was built by Donald McLeod 1861-62 (Factor from 1854 to 1862) on the south side of the South Branch opposite the confluence. It is still in good condition. This was always an important post. It is shown on Arrowsmith's map of 1832 (No. 101), on that of 1850 (No. 100) where both names are given, and on that of 1857 (No. 8). It is mentioned in all the Company lists up to 1872.