[Red Bullets]

Regarding fur trade forts that came and went....

2.5 miles upstream of where Berrymore bridge crosses the North Saskatchewan river there was a trading post called "Quagmire House". It had been abandoned because it was surrounded by a dead swamp and inconvenient to get to. Alexander Henry junior mentioned it was abandoned but standing in 1811 when he visited the place.
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In 1791 where the Red Deer river merges with the South Saskatchewan river, near the town of Empress, Chesterfield House was built. If was abandoned and re-opened until the late 1820's. Started by the Northwest company, then became Hudson's Bay co. after the merge of the two companies. The XY company had a small trading post nearby too. Not sure of the location of the XY fort.
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Fort Normandeau was built in 1885 by the 65th Royal Rifles to guard the Red Deer River crossing 3.5 miles upstream of Red Deer. This fort had a 8 foot deep 10 foot wide moat filled with water around it.
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Fort Ethier- 5 miles north of Wetaskiwin. Constructed during the Reil rebellion in 1885. It had 12 rifle ports to defend against attack. The 65th Mounted Royal Rifle forces built the fort and named it after their commander. It was built to protect the Edmonton Calgary trail during the Riel Rebellion. This fort was still standing in the 1980's when I last saw it. It may still be standing. Very close to the highway. Most likely the bush has grown up around it now if it is still standing. * picture is Fort Ethier. note the gun holes close to the top of the walls.