The Hudson’s Bay Company, an iconic figure in Canadian retail history and recognized as the oldest company in North America, closed its doors on June 1, 2023, following a bankruptcy declaration.
This 353-year-old institution has sold its name and all intellectual properties to Canadian Tire, which has no intentions of reviving the Hudson’s Bay brand.
Tracy Fortmann, who currently serves as the superintendent at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, reflects on the remarkable history of the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Her journey into its past began in the early 2000s when she visited a former trading post at Fort Langley National Historic Site in British Columbia.
Fortmann recalls her initial visit to The Bay, describing it as an enormous department store and admitting that her perception of the Hudson’s Bay Company was shaped more by its historical significance than by contemporary retail.
The Hudson’s Bay Company has its roots deep in the fur trade, a domain characterized by exploration and adventure.
The company was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II in 1670, originally known as the Governor and Company of Adventurers of England Trading into Hudson’s Bay.
Its early operations involved trading European manufactured goods with Native Americans in exchange for valuable animal furs, which were later sold in European and Asian markets.
This vast trading operation effectively granted Hudson’s Bay Company control over expansive territories across Canada and into the Pacific Northwest.
“These investors were granted exclusive trading rights over territory covering nearly half the continent,” Fortmann noted, emphasizing the scale of the company’s reach.
The Hudson’s Bay Company was not merely a business but a burgeoning empire, altering the landscape of trade in North America.
While its history is often portrayed as one of adventure and expansion, Fortmann acknowledges the complexities of its legacy.
Native trackers who worked with the company were never equitably compensated, contributing to the narrative of exploitation inherent in the fur trade.
Fortmann believes that Native sentiments towards the Hudson’s Bay Company are likely mixed.
Many Natives formed personal connections through marriage to fur trappers or forged strong ties during the company’s establishment, creating complicated legacies.
The Hudson’s Bay Company established Fort Vancouver as its Western headquarters in 1825, from where it managed its extensive fur trading operations that spanned from present-day Alaska to Northern California and from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.
During that time, the Pacific Northwest was largely seen as uncharted territory, with Native populations transiting through the area but not settling in the immediate vicinity.
Fortmann explains that trade with nearby tribes, including those from the Iroquois, led to the emergence of a vibrant, cosmopolitan community around Fort Vancouver.
The region did not officially become part of the United States until 1846, shortly before the Hudson’s Bay Company began downsizing operations in Vancouver.
The arrival of Oregon Trail pioneers marked a significant turning point for the area, with the U.S. Army taking control of Fort Vancouver in 1866, solidifying its historical role.
The Hudson’s Bay Company evolved significantly over the years, especially after it transitioned into a chain of department stores starting in 1881, focusing primarily on high-end clothing and household goods.
The company held onto its fur trading business until 1991, when changing market conditions led executives to declare that the fur trade was no longer what it used to be, ultimately culminating in its recent closure.
As Hudson’s Bay Company closes its doors, it leaves behind a rich and multifaceted history, reflecting both the spirit of adventure and the complexities of its long-standing interactions with Native communities.
image source from：https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/jun/07/after-three-centuries-with-deep-vancouver-roots-the-hudsons-bay-company-goes-out-of-business/
