North West Co. establishment originally on Old Fort Island, at the head of Portage Bay (now called Keewatin Bay), at one outlet of Lake of the Woods. Constructed between 1790 and 1800 at the beginning of portages on route between Lake of the Woods and Fort Alexander. This post is shown on Thompson's map 1826 (No. 7) and Capt. Palliser 1857 speaks of "the small trading post". It is also shown on Hind's map of 1868 and described by him. This post was operated by the Hudson's Bay Co. after the coalition of 1821 who constructed a new building about 1840. In 1861 the post was moved from the island to the mainland. Dr. Bell says in his report of 1872: "The post consisted of two long one story houses, a shop, and dwelling. It was built on what afterwards became Main Street of the town Rat Portage. It remained on that site until moved across the street in 1881. In 1882 the post was burned. In 1872 it was only a small clearing surrounded by unbroken forest." Rat Portage is now Kenora. See Kaministiquia route and Lac du Bonnet. Maps No. 8 and Sectional Sheet No. 74