Yukon Register of Historic PlacesYRHP

Rampart House was established in 1890 as the fourth outpost of the Hudson's Bay Company on the Porcupine River. The HBC spent 1847-1869 at Fort Yukon before being told to leave because it was on American territory. In the fall of 1869 the post was moved to Old Rampart House at Howling Dog but floods forced them to relocate once again to a second Old Rampart House in the spring of 1871. With news that the post was still within Alaskan territory, the post was once again moved to the current site. The site had previously been used during the US Boundary Party in 1889 and was known as Camp Colonna. During their stay they constructed what was known as the Turner Building. The HBC remained at Rampart House until 1893 before withdrawing to Ft. McPherson due to increasing competition for trade with the local First Nations from both the American's in Alaska and the Whaler's stationed at Herschel Island. The Church Missionary Society purchased the HBC buildings at Rampart House for the Anglican Church, where they remained for three more years. The community experienced a renewal when in 1904-05 Dan Cadzow started trading at Rampart House. Cadzow initially occupied existing buildings but eventually built his own house, store and warehouse. The Anglican Church returned circa 1909. The population at the time is unknown but a number of First Nations cabins are known to have existed east of the creek. The peak of the community is said to have taken place during the US-Canada Survey of the 141st meridian from 1907-1914. The survey team spent 1910 to 1912 in the Rampart House area bringing with them 105 people and horses in 1911. 1911 was also the year of a smallpox epidemic which caused many First Nation families to be quarantined on the island opposite Rampart House. A large number of buildings at Rampart House were destroyed to fight against the smallpox.

250 people were reportedly at Rampart House for Christmas 1914 and 4 new cabins were built in 1915 by First Nations. Cadzow lobbied for a RNWMP detachment to collect customs and inhibit Alaskan Traders. As a response Sergeant W.J.C Dempster arrived in 1914 and established the detachment in quarters rented from Cadzow. A new church and school were constructed in 1918 but the Mission headquarters was moved to Old Crow in 1921, with occasional services at Rampart House. The Mounties also moved to Old Crow in 1929, the same year that Cadzow passed away. Cadzow's wife, Rachel, and a few other families continued to live at Rampart House until the1940s when they too relocated to Old Crow. Rampart House continues to be a stopping point for Gwitchin hunters and other travelers on the Porcupine River.