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Fort Garry, also known as Upper Fort Garry, was a Hudson's Bay Company trading post located at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers in or near the area now known as The Forks in what is now central Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Fort Garry was established in 1822, although its first iteration was destroyed in 1826 by severe flooding. The trading post was rebuilt in 1836 and served as the administrative centre for the Red River Colony. From 1869 to 1870, the fort was briefly occupied by Louis Riel and his Métis followers during the Red River Rebellion. The fort was demolished in the 1880s to make way for Winnipeg's Main Street, although the fort's gate remains.
The site of the former fort was designated as a part of a larger National Historic Site in 1924. Development of a provincial heritage site on the historic site of Fort Garry began in the early 21st century.
The fort was rebuilt in 1836 by HBC to help facilitate the administrative and supply needs for the Red River Colony. The new fort was named Upper Fort Garry to differentiate it from "the Lower Fort," or Lower Fort Garry, downriver, which was established in 1831. A Short Pictorial History On Upper Ft. Garry. Lincoln Park Gallery website. Retrieved 16 Oct 2010. Throughout the mid-to-late 19th century, Upper Fort Garry played a minor role in the actual trading of furs but was central to the administration of the HBC and the surrounding settlement. The Council of Assiniboia, the administrative and judicial body of the Red River Colony mainly run by Hudson's Bay Company officials, met at Upper Fort Garry. In 1869, the Hudson's Bay Company agreed to surrender its monopoly in the North-West, including Upper Fort Garry. In late 1869 and early 1870, the fort was seized by Louis Riel and his Métis followers during the Red River Resistance. After the Resistance, the area around the fort continued to grow. In 1873, the city of Winnipeg was established and the name Fort Garry was no longer used. In 1881–1884 the majority of the fort was demolished to straighten Main Street (it was at Main Street and Assiniboine AvenueMartin Kavanagh, "The Assoboine Basin", 1946, map page 89).
On 15 June 1938 Canada Post issued 'Fort Garry Gate, Winnipeg', a 20¢ stamp.
Although only the fort's main gate remains today, the name "Fort Garry" lives on through various institutions and businesses. An area or division of Winnipeg running along the Red River south of the original fort is called Fort Garry. The hotel beside the fort is called the Fort Garry Hotel, which was originally constructed for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway company. Fort Street and Garry Street are on either side of the hotel. Many companies, such as Fort Garry Industries and the Fort Garry Brewing Company, have adopted the name. The Fort Garry Horse has been a component of the Winnipeg military garrison throughout the 20th and into the 21st centuries.
The Friends raised enough funds to purchase the buildings already on the site of their proposed heritage park, including a Petro-Canada gas station. Gas station site added to heritage park at city's birthplace. Winnipeg Free Press, June 1, 2010. Retrieved 17 Oct 2010. The only building that was allowed to stay untouched was the current home of the Manitoba Club, Even losers must celebrate Upper Fort Garry. Winnipeg Free Press, June 2, 2009. Retrieved 17 Oct 2010. which started as an organization in 1874, Virtual Heritage Winnipeg - Manitoba Club. Retrieved 17 Oct 2010. only one year after the incorporation of Winnipeg. The existing Manitoba Club building was completed in 1905. The historic Fort Garry Hotel across the street was built shortly thereafter, in 1913.
The plans for the future heritage park at the site of Upper Fort Garry were officially unveiled in May 2010. Plans for Upper Fort Garry park unveiled. Winnipeg Free Press, May 12, 2010. Retrieved 17 Oct 2010.
From the Hansard Records of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, dated Monday, June 14, 2010, Legislative Assembly of Manitoba . Debate of the Standing Committee on Justice, June 14, 2010. Retrieved 17 Oct 2010. it is clear that the boundaries of the proposed Upper Fort Garry Provincial Heritage Park, described in Bill 27–The Upper Fort Garry Heritage Provincial Park Act then under consideration, would not include the Manitoba Club building. In the meeting referenced above, Mr. Jerry Gray (Friends of Upper Fort Garry), referring to the future park boundaries, states that the property is "bordered by Main Street on the east side, Assiniboine on the south side and Fort Street on the west side and then goes up to the back where the gate property is." Evidently, the Manitoba Club property on Broadway is excluded from the proposed heritage park, aside from being located on the same city block. Plans for Upper Fort Garry park and interpretive centre unveiled. Winnipeg Free Press, May 15, 2010. Retrieved 17 Oct 2010. According to the records of the Thirty-Ninth Legislature, Bill 27 received Royal Assent on June 17, 2010, by Proclamation of the Lieutenant-Governor Philip S. Lee. Manitoba Laws - The Upper Fort Garry Heritage Provincial Park Act. Bills of the Fourth Session, Thirty-Ninth Legislature, Legislative Assembly of Manitoba (Printed copies of bills) . Updated to Nov. 15, 2010. Retrieved 24 Nov 2010.
The park opened to the public on August 6, 2015, with development still to come." Upper Fort Garry Provincial Park Open to Public: Construction Fence Coming Down ", press release.David Lipnowski, " Upper Fort Garry open for visitors" in the Winnipeg Free Press, 2015-08-07.
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