Fort Chipewyan Aerial Views 1958 1962 1963 1965

This post is of aerial views of Fort Chipewyan and surrounding area that may be if interest to historians, in particular the water levels and location of buildings that no longer exist. 

The HBCo store when we arrived in July 1958, with the CUL fuel tanks on the beach. Construction has started on the generator building, but the power poles haven't yet been erected. The rubble on the lot east of Mah's cafe may be from Walter Skinner's store which burnt, not sure when.

The next six photos below were taken from the MASL Norseman returning from a trip to Edmonton. They clearly show the layout of the town, with the best views I've found of the houses north and west of Mah's Cafe. They were taken with my 35mm Sears Tower rangefinder camera purchased this from the catalogue in the Spring of 1961. The camera I ordered was out of stock, so Simpson's Sears substituted the next model instead, which pleased me greatly! 

Looking north-east, two islands south of Potato Island, August 1962. The direction of water flow in the channel, one of many connecting Lake Athabasca to the Quatre Fourches River, depends on relative water levels of Lake Athabasca, the delta lakes, the Athabasca River, and the Peace River.

Potato Island from the south-west, August 1962.

Approaching Fort Chipewyan from the south-west, August 1962. 

Fort Chipewyan looking north-east, August 1962. 

Fort Chipewyan looking east, August 1962. Note the evidence of the July flooding - water by the road across from Flett's, standing water by the beach, and the washout in front of Mah's. Also, this is the only photo I can find of Mah's house, with their substantial garden. The lake level is unusually high.

Fort Chipewyan looking south-east, August 1962. 

The next seven photos were taken by me from Courier Air Services' Helio Courier leaving from the airport behind the RCMP property and making a pass along the waterfront.

Fort Chipewyan looking west, July 1963.

Fort Chipewyan looking north-west, July 1963.

Fort Chipewyan looking north-west, July 1963.

Fort Chipewyan looking north, July 1963.

Downtown Fort Chipewyan looking north, July 1963.

Roman Catholic Mission, Fort Chipewyan, July 1963.

Fort Chipewyan looking northwest, July 1963. 

The next four views of Fort Chipewyan were taken by Mike on his Pentax. The pilot made an intentional flyby of the town for these photographs. 

The Roman Catholic Mission, Fort Chipewyan, September 1963.

Downtown Fort Chipewyan, September 1963.

Fort Chipewyan, with properties belonging to Walter Wylie, the Anglican Mission, Indian Affairs, HBCo, and the Public School along the lake frontage, September 1963.

Fort Chipewyan, RCMP and Alberta Forestry properties, September 1963.

Fort Chipewyan and Mission Creek from the northwest, July 1965.