Kootanae House

Kootanae House was a trading post located at the junction of Toby Creek and the Columbia River. Archaeological remains visible today include stone chimney foundations, palisade trenches, and ground depressions scattered across grassland.

The North West Company established this post in 1807 under David Thompson's direction as the first European trading center in the Columbia Basin. It became a crucial hub for the fur trade in early British Columbia.

The location marks where trade relations began between the Ktunaxa First Nations and European fur traders in the Columbia Valley. These early exchanges shaped the region's identity and show how two worlds first came into contact here.

The site is accessed through Wilmer Road in Athalmer and lies within open grassland with scattered evergreen trees. Wear appropriate footwear and expect natural ground conditions, especially after wet weather.

Parks Canada and Ktunaxa Nation members conducted joint archaeological work in 2005 to confirm the exact location of this trading post. This partnership combined scientific methods with knowledge held by the local Indigenous community.