| description: | In The Background Is Fort Edmonton, (Which Was First Built By The Hbc In The Valley Of The North Saskatchewan River In 1795), Rebuilt Further Up River Below Where The Present Legislative Building Is Located. The First Fort Edmonton Was Destoyed By The Blackfoot Indias In 1807. The Fort Had An 18 Foot High Palisade (Fence Of Pointed Sticks) Around Its Four Walls And Corner Block Houses Of Two Storeys. Governor George Simpson Visited Fort Edmonton In May, 1825 And A Ball Was Held For The Entire Population. Two Weeks Later He Joined The Annual Boat Brigade To York Factory. Pointed Barges Seen In The Photo Carried Five Tons Of Cargo In The Form Of Supplies And Bales Of Fur. They Were Manned With Eight Oars And Used A Square Sail When The Wind Was Right. Seen Also In The Photo Are Red River Carts And Wagons Pulled By Horses, And A Group Of People. The Trip To York Factory Would Take Four And A Half Months To Complete With Supplies For The Next Season. Image From A Painting By J.D. Kelly |