Hudson's Bay Co. fort at present located at the north end of Fort Island, mouth of the Gunisao river, on Little Playgreen lake, Manitoba.

The original fort was located at the south end of Mossy Point at the entrance to Playgreen lake (Buckescoggan lake), north end of lake Winnipeg. Shown maps No. 37 and 125. It was built about 1800. Franklin 1819 states that the origin of the name was due to a settlement of Norwegians who were driven from Selkirk's Colony in 1815. This fort was burnt in 1825.

Before 1819 another post had been built 25 miles distant at the mouth of Jack river (now called Gunisao river) known as Jack River House and to this site the first Norway House was moved after the fire of 1825. For some time the new fort was called Jack River House or Norway House and is shown on maps No. 8 and 101, and on Hind's map 1858. Ermatinger noticed the new fort in 1826. Sir George Back stated that the Nelson river had encroached on the original location 300 yards since 1819.

The present Norway House was built by John McLeod in 1826 to 1828. See maps 125 and 37, and 141. (See also "Notes and Documents, Rupert's Land 1825 & Minutes of Council 1825".) It was surrounded by a picket palisade 15 feet high enclosing a square 150 yards on each side, having two gates. Inside was the chief Factor's residence 50 feet long for the general council &c., and other buildings for the Governor, clerks, offices, men &c. Boat building was the main occupation.

Remains of the first fort on Mossy Point are still visible. Norway House was an important divisional point when goods were transported from York Factory to the interior. The Northern Council of the Hudson's Bay Co. annually met there and Sir George Simpson, whose residence was at Norway House, presided at the meetings. The Cree syllabic characters were invented by Rev. J. Evans in 1801, and the transfer of Rupert's Land to the Crown was arranged there in 1869.