Fort Connah
Preserving the Oldest Building in Montana and Reconstructing the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade.
Preserving the Oldest Building in Montana and Reconstructing the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade.
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Fort Connah-A Hudson’s Bay Co. Trading Post
Fort Connah History
Fort Connah was started in 1846 by Neil McArthur and finished in 1847 by Angus McDonald. It was a fur-trading post for the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Fort Connah Rendezvous
Fort Connah’s Annual Rendezvous is open to the public! Every year we welcome history reenactors (1840-1900)
Visiting Fort Connah
Fort Connah is located on the Flathead Reservation and within the Mission Valley of Northwestern Montana.
FORT CONNAH HISTORY
A Shared Heritage
Fort Connah was started in 1846 by Neil McArthur and finished in 1847 by Angus McDonald for the Hudson’s Bay Company. It consisted of several small log buildings, a log corral and a bastion measuring 14 square feet. The main trade was in furs and the trading post was an important link between forts on both sides of the Rocky Mountains. Dried bison meat (pemmican), rawhide cords, and hair cords were among the goods acquired and traded. After the northern boundary of the United States was established, Fort Connah was closed by order of the U.S. government in 1871.
Though various factors had been placed in charge of Fort Connah, Angus McDonald is the most well-known. McDonald came from Scotland and was first assigned to the Flathead Country as an apprentice clerk in 1839. He was given charge of Fort Connah in 1847. He named the trading post, “Connen,” after a river valley in his homeland. “Connen” would later become “Connah.”
Angus McDonald lived in the area with his wife Catherine, a Native woman from the Nez Perce tribe. Duncan McDonald, Angus and Catherine’s son, was the last factor of the trading post.
Angus McDonald (left) and wife, Catherine (right).
A painting of Fort Connah in Winter.
EVENTS
Join us for a weekend of fun outdoor activities that is perfect for ALL ages!
Historical
Reenactors!
The Rendezvous is packed with activities like:
a black powder rifle competition, tomahawk throwing contest, horse-drawn wagon rides, children’s games, and MORE!
LOCATION
Plan Your Visit
Schedule a Tour
Please Call (406) 644-2882
or Email: info@fortconnah.com
DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM NEAREST TOWN OR LANDMARK
The Fort Connah Historic Site is located at Post Creek, Montana on US Highway 93 seven miles north of St. Ignatius. Look for the Historic Marker on the east side of the road.
Things To Do & Places To Visit
Ninepipes Lodge and Allentown Restaurant offer comfortable, conveniently located lodging, as well as a restaurant and sports bar. The views from the dining room are breathtaking.
We Need You!
You can become a member or even donate towards our goal to make this unique, historic resource more open and available to visitors and community members.
We need your help!
The Restoration Society is always looking for volunteers and new memberships!