York Factory

One of the principal establishments of the Hudson's Bay Company, near the mouth of Hayes River, north bank. The first trading post here, or near here, was Fort Nelson, built in 1669. Throughout the eighteenth century, this was the principal post of the Company, in charge of a governor, with a considerable staff. It was the starting-point of the explorations of Henry Kellsey in 1692, of Anthony Hendry in 1754, and of Matthew Cocking in 1772, and was the gateway to the vast interior country, the recognized route being the Hayes River. Index : MS Red River settlers winter near, 153-155. See also Port Nelson. Bib. : Bryce, Hudson's Bay Company ; Laut, Conquest of the Great North-West .