An old French fortified trading post, a King's Post, on lake Mistassini, Quebec, built about 1673. It was located on the point called Eliquabit about 4 miles from head of Abatagusk bay, at the south end of lake Mistassini. It commanded the route to Fort Rupert. It was continuously operated by the different fur companies under the French regime. The North West Co. acquired this post by rental in 1802 and continued its maintenance until the union of 1821. It is called Maison Française on the Del'Isle map of 1703 (No. 18) and Maison des Dorvals on the Jesuit map 1730 (No. 110). It is shown on maps No. 10, 17, 18, 97, 96 and 112. On Mitchell's map 1755 (No. 111) there is a post called "Chebmonkoue" at mouth of Temiscamie river. Arrowsmith map 1821 shows a "Canadian House" on the site of the old French fort on Eliquabit point.

Another French fortified post built about 1674 was located at or near the mouth of the outlet from lake Albanel, shown on the Joliet map 1679 (No. 85) on the long point near the northeast end of lake Mistassini. It is shown on the Franquelin map of 1688 and Del'Isle's 1703 (No. 18). This post was called Chabanonkoue on some maps and Chebmonkoue on Mitchell map 1755 (No. 111).

The first of the Hudson's Bay Co. inland posts on the east mainland of Hudson Bay was built about 1787 on the East Main river at Birch Point about 300 miles above its mouth, where a portage trail leads to the Rupert river and to lake Mistassini. About 1800 this post was moved to the outlet of lake Mistassini and in 1855 to its present location on southwest bay about 10 miles north of the old French or North West Co. post. This establishment has been regularly maintained by the Company to present date. It appears to have been the only inland post of the Hudson's Bay Co. established in Labrador prior to amalgamation with the North West Co. except Nichicun. The location of Birch Point is shown on map No. 63. James McKenzie 1808 stated that the old post of the Hudson's Bay Co. on Birch Point was built of red spruce and grey pine and that it was known as Fort aux Anglais. It was outfitted from East Main Factory. Mistassini means "Large Stone".

See Birch Point and Neoskweskau.