Both the Hudson's Bay Co. and the North West Co. had establishments at La Cloche. Situated on the north shore of the North Channel, Georgian Bay, about ten miles east of mouth of Spanish river. It was on the route from Montreal to the west via the Ottawa river. A. Henry Sr. says that the name was derived "from a rock standing on a plain which being struck rings like a bell". No fort was there in 1761 when A. Henry passed, nor in 1789 when Roderick McKenzie passed. The North West Co. probably built the first post about 1790. The post was mentioned by McLean in 1833 and was visited by Sir George Simpson 1841. It is included in the Hudson's Bay Co. lists 1820 to 1872 and is shown on Arrowsmith maps 1832 (No. 101) and 1857 (No. 8) and on map 133. Located at mouth of outlet of lake La Cloche.