One of the first places to explore after you enter Fort Steele is the Kootenay Post. In 1887, Superintendent Samuel Benfield Steele, and the men of Kootenay “D” Division marched into the Kootenay region and built the first North West Mounted Police (NWMP) Post west of the Rocky Mountains. Although they stayed only one year and a day, Sam Steele made such an impression on the settlers of “Galbraith’s Ferry” (Fort Steele’s original settlement name) that the town was renamed in his honour. Strangely enough, Fort Steele was never actually a fortified military “fort”.

The Kootenay Post that you will discover is largely a reconstruction of that original post. The Officers' Quarters building is an original building, moved to this new location from its original site across the highway in 1962.

Discover the barracks, all set up with straw mattresses on wooden cots. Walk through the Sergeants Mess, and imagine hearing the jokes and laughter of the men as they enjoy a meal. And in the original Officers Quarters building, you’ll find every room richly appointed with handmade quilts in the bedrooms, fine china in the dining room, beautiful desks and accessories in the office, and even some veggies in the pantry near the cook’s cot!

More information about the North West Mounted Police’s time in the Kootenay Region can be found in the history section.