Picturesque Fort Vermilion 39

post called Rocky Mountain House was located at the upper end of the
canyon. This was replaced by a post at the foot of the canyon, about which two
other trading posts and a few scattered buildings have sprung up. These con-
stitute the present Hudson Hope. Steamboats ply up and down during the
open season from the town of Peace River, some 229 miles, and there is con-
siderable travel by canoe from Prince George. This route, by canoe and portage,
is approximately 300 miles. A wagon road, some 14 miles in length, leads past
the canyon to the upper waters of the Peace, which are navigable for steamers.
Various trails lead out to the haunts of the trapper and prospector, for this district
is rich in fur and has wonderful mineral possibilities. Great deposits of coal are
known to exist above the canyon, and indications of various precious metals are
in evidence.

On the plateaus on both sides of the river there is considerable good agri-
cultural land. The soil is sandy loam, and the surface is gently rolling and
lightly wooded. A trail leads south 18 miles to Moberly lake, where there is
some excellent soil and luxuriant pasture. This lake is filled with whitefish.
There is an Indian reserve at each end of it, but very few white settlers.

A number of homesteads have been located about the post, and a few along
the river flats between the post and Fort St. John. On these flats, the land is
excellent and very heavy yields of grain and vegetables are harvested every
year.

Hudson Hope is now provided with telegraphic service, the Edmonton-
Peace River government telegraph line having recently been extended through
to it. It holds a very strategic position, and may become an important point
when this part of the territory is developed.

Fort Vermilion

The last great area of virgin plains still remaining practically untouched by
the tide of settlement which is sweeping over other portions of the Peace River
district lies away to the north around the old trading post of Fort Vermilion.
Last to receive its share of this human tide, and yet first to let the world know of
its riches and possibilities, this primitive post still stands guard in the heart of a
vast solitude which will soon echo with the busy life of thousands of homes.
Beautifully situated on the low, broad valley of the Peace, where the waters are
wide and placid and the high steep bluffs have given way to gently sloping banks
searcely higher that the valley itself, the quaint cluster of buildings stands out in
bold relief and presents an inspiring front.

Located about 250 miles north of the town of Peace River, cut off from the
outside world except for steamboat service during a few summer months, and
with its interest focussed on the fur trade of its own great district, the little post
has lived its own life and retained its simple customs far from the stress and
worry of greater centres. About the post are clustered the Hudson’s Bay
buildings, including a modern 50-barrel roller flour mill, steam driven and electric
lighted, and a saw and shingle-mill; the Roman Catholic mission; to the east,