Fort McPherson

Fort McPherson is a small settlement located on the east bank of the Peel River in the Northwest Territories. It sits at an important point for river travel, and buildings are designed to withstand the harsh northern climate with practical construction suited to seasonal extremes.

The Hudson's Bay Company established this location as a trading post named after Murdoch McPherson in the 1800s. It became a vital point where European fur traders met with local Indigenous communities to exchange goods and information.

The Gwich'in people have shaped this settlement, and their language Teetł'it Zheh is still spoken in the community. Traditional practices tied to the land and waterways remain visible in how residents live and work today.

This settlement is connected by the Dempster Highway to other communities, with a local airport offering seasonal travel options. Visiting during the warmer months is generally easier, as roads are more passable and services are more readily available.

A cemetery in the community holds the graves of Francis Joseph Fitzgerald and his expedition team, who perished during a 1911 Arctic exploration journey. These graves stand as reminders of one of the harshest episodes in northern exploration history.

Location: Northwest Territories

Inception: November 1, 1986

Elevation above the sea: 43 m

Website: http://fortmcpherson.ca

GPS coordinates: 67.43530,-134.88200

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:26