Fort Whoop-Up

Fort Whoop-Up is a trading post and national historic site in Lethbridge County built as a replica of a late 1800s fort. The site displays exhibits about fur trade transactions, goods, and the daily conditions at this cross-border trading location.

The original trading post emerged in the 1860s as a center for fur commerce and illegal alcohol operations with local communities. The permanent structure built afterward records a period of intense border activity between Canada and the United States.

The site reflects the meetings between Niitsitapi, Métis, and traders from different backgrounds who came together here in the 1800s. The buildings tell stories of the personal relationships and daily routines of people who traded and lived alongside one another.

The site is open to visitors and offers guided tours as well as the option to explore independently. Comfortable clothing is recommended since you will move through reconstructed buildings and outdoor areas.

The location lay abandoned for decades until it was systematically rebuilt in the 1950s. This reconstruction drew from historical records and archaeological findings that revealed the actual conditions from over a century before.

Location: Lethbridge County

GPS coordinates: 49.69194,-112.85667

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:47