Sulphur Fork Factory was a federal fur trade post established by Chief Factor John Fowler in 1818.
The Chief Factor, Captain John Fowler, recommended a site at the confluence of the Sulphur Fork and Red Rivers just beyond the northern Louisiana boundary as a suitable place for a new trading post.
[1] [2] Construction of the new post began in May 1818 and was practically finished a year later after substantial problems with civilian and military manpower.
[5] Besides the Chief Factor John Fowler and the laborers, there were two other employees, Larkin Edwards, the clerk, and Jacob Irwin, a gunsmith who repaired the fire arms of the factory's Native American customers.
When Fowler left in 1820, Edwards was put in charge until William McClellan was appointed chief factor in 1821.