Fort St James on Stuart Lake is the capital of the historic district of New Caledonia and the second oldest town in British Columbia. As long ago as 1806 Simon Fraser and John Stuart of the North West Company set up a trading post here near an Indian settlement at the eastern end of the over 100 km (
62 mi.) long Stuart Lake. This lake actually forms part of a system of lakes and rivers more than 400 km (250 mi.) in length. In 1821, when the two rival fur companies, North West and Hudson's Bay, amalgamated, Fort St James became the administrative and supply center of the fur hunting teams which operated from here throughout western Canada. In 1843 a Catholic mission was built near Fort St James.
In 1869 gold was found in the Omineca Region further north. A veritable gold-rush resulted which had its effects on Fort St James as well.
Today Fort St James is a modern township on the northern edge of the old settlement. Four large timber concerns, mining and tourism form the backbone of its economy.
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