The first fort on lac des Boeufs (now called Buffalo lake or Peter Pond lake), near Methye Portage, was built by the North West Co. in 1790. This post is shown on Arrowsmith maps 1832 (No. 101), 1850 (No. 100) and 1857 (No. 8) and marked "N. W. House". Macoun 1875 says "Buffalo House, at the north end of the lake opposite mouth of Pembina river, was deserted". This post was operated by the Hudson's Bay Co. after union 1821.

The second post on Buffalo lake was built by the Hudson's Bay Co. in 1791 at the south end on the point projecting south between Buffalo lake and Clear lake (now called Churchill lake). The present name of this post is Buffalo Lake House or Buffalo River post. Macoun 1875 says "at eastern end of the narrows and at the head of Clearwater lake is situated Chipewyan House". This post is still operated by H.B. Co.

Both posts shown on Tyrrell's map 1895 (No. 41).