Learn Edmonton Alberta's Past
LEAP #01 - Fort Edmonton 4.0
A leap year series exploring interesting locations from Edmonton's past
Traditional Burial Ground and Fort Edmonton Cemetery
Growing up in Alberta, I went on many field trips to Fort Edmonton Park. As a child, I thought Fort Edmonton Park was the original location and the buildings in the park had been standing there for over 200 years! While some of the buildings were moved to the park from their original locations, Fort Edmonton Park is a re-creation showing parts of the FIVE different locations Fort Edmonton stood from 1795 to 1915. This virtual cache brings you to where Fort Edmonton was located for the second and fourth times, from 1802-1810 and 1812-1830.
Originally constructed by the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), Fort Edmonton was a series of trading posts located along the North Saskatchewan River between 1795 and 1914. Most locations were built in close proximity to a 'Fort Augustus', the trading posts run by the North West Company (NWC), a competitor to HBC. Fort Edmonton was also known as Edmonton House in English, Fort-des-Prairies in French, and amiskwaskahegan in Cree. The Forts were never meant to be permanent; the company relocated several times for various reasons. What is now the Rossdale area of downtown Edmonton was selected twice, as a well-known gathering place for First Nations groups in the area. Unfortunately, the area proved prone to flooding, and the last Fort Edmonton, that evolved into the city we know today, was constructed above the river flats in 1830. The Alberta Legislature and grounds now occupy the space. Here is what it looked like in 1870.
Known to be both a traditional First Nations burial ground, as well as the cemetery for Fort Edmonton, the posted coordinates are now an officially recognized sacred space. A memorial site and interpretive signage area was completed in 2007. The central monument is known as the Memory Circle. Corten steel was selected to construct the monument because as it weathers, the steel will stain the concrete to symbolize the blood and tears shed on this site. The Memory Wall within the Memory Circle lists names of First Nations, French Canadian, English, Metis, and Scottish ancestors thought to be buried on the site and in the surrounding area.
For more information, please see the excellent signage at Virtual Stage #1 or the following websites:
Watch for more caches in the LEAP series this year!
[FTF] Congrats Beenicetwice & 954con [FTF]
Logging Requirements:
There are two requirements for logging this virtual as found. Please visit Virtual Stage #1 in addition to the posted coordinates, and complete both of the following:
- At Virtual Stage #1, there are several interpretive signs. Spend some time reading them and message me the most interesting thing you learned, along with the title of the sign this information was printed on. Send this to me via Geocaching messaging or email BEFORE you submit your found log. You do not have to wait for a reply after sending your answer. Please do not include your answer or any pictures of the signs in your log.
- At the posted coordinates, take a picture of yourself with the Memory Circle in the background. This picture must be from a visit after cache publication. If you do not wish to show your face, please include a piece of paper or item with your Geocaching username on it. Attach this picture to your found log or send it to me via Geocaching messaging or email.
Per Geocaching.com guidelines, as CO of a virtual cache it is my responsibility to delete logs that appear to be false or inappropriate. Logs which do not adhere to the above requirements may be removed without notice. Please contribute positively to the health of the game by logging your caches appropriately. Thanks!
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.