One of the earliest French trading forts west of Montreal. At the mouth of the Nipigon river, left bank, at entrance to lake Nipigon from lake Superior. Built by Charles, Sieur de la Tourette, brother of Dulhut, in 1678 and named by him Camanistigoyan. This fort was entrepôt for the country between lake Superior and James Bay and for nearly a century was the headquarters of the French trade in that section, occupying for the French the same position of importance that Fort William was for the North West Co. It is shown on La Hontan map 1690 (No. 20) as Fort Kamanistigoyan at the mouth of Lemipissaki river. Lake Nipigon is variously named on early maps. On Danville's map it is called Alempissaki; on Jaillot map 1685, Alemenipigon, meaning "deep water"; Del'Isle's map 1703, Alemenipigon, also on Carver map 1778; and on La Hontan map 1690, Nemipigon. The next name given was lake St. Anne, shown on map of French claims 1756 (No. 10), on map 1817, on Arrowsmith 1854. The fort was under command of Vérendrye in 1728 and a few outposts were maintained in the Nipigon country to the north. It is included in Bougainville's list 1756. After the cession of Canada the North West Co. took over this post and named it Fort Nipigon, but its importance was eclipsed by Fort William and at first, contrary to the French route, the fur traders followed the south shore of Lake Superior going to and from Fort William. The Hudson's Bay Co. succeeded to the post after the coalition 1821 and maintained it until about 1875. Grant in "Ocean to Ocean" 1872 speaks of the old Hudson's Bay Co. post at the mouth of Nipigon river. (Not to be confused with Fort Kaministiquia.) See Nipigon House. No record is found of the destruction of the original French fort.