Ontario Forts

Canadian Forts

ONTARIO

Last Update: 05/JANUARY/2008

Compiled by Pete Payette - Š2008 American Forts Network

NOTE: Once part of New France and Québec. Known as Upper Canada from 1791 to 1841 until reunited with Lower Canada (Québec) to form single colony of Canada. Provincial status restored in 1867.

There are/were approximately 101 Hudson's Bay Co. posts in this province. No attempt is being made at this time to include all of them on this page.

Fort Hope (1)
(1812 - unknown), Windsor
A British fort from the War of 1812. It may have been captured by the Americans along with Fort Amherstburg in 1813. An 1812 British shore battery was also set up behind the Baby House on Pitt Street, used in the attack on Fort Detroit. The house is now the Hiram Walker Historical Museum.
Windsor was originally named Sandwich during this time. Windsor Barracks was located here in 1837 - 1838. The town was burned during the Patriots' War in 1838.

Fort Malden (National Historic Site)
(1796 - 1840's), Amherstburg
Originally called Fort Amherstburg. It was an earthen fort with four bastions, with a large blockhouse barracks. It was occupied by American forces from 1813 to 1815 after the British burned and abandoned it. The Americans partially rebuilt it. The British restored it in 1819, and renamed it. They withdrew in 1836. The fort was completely rebuilt in 1838 (minus the blockhouse) and was larger than the original. The British left again in 1851. Retired soldiers maintained the fort until 1858. There are earthworks here from the 1840's and a restored 1819 barracks. Admission fee.
Located nearby is the Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse which played a role in the fort's defense in 1837. The Bois Blanc Blockhouse, with a battery, were built on the island in 1796. Next to Fort Malden was the Amherstburg Royal Navy Dockyard (1797 - 1813). It was the only British Naval base on Lake Erie during the War of 1812. Two blockhouses were built here in 1797 for its defence. The site is at King's Navy Yard Park. The Commissariat House still exists, now used as a gift shop.

Dover Earthworks
(1813), Dover
Defensive earthworks were built by the British during the "Battle of the Thames" in 1813.

Chatham Fort
(1826 - 1843), Chatham
A stockaded British fort or barracks was located here overlooking the Thames River. It was garrisoned by local militia after 1843.
(info provided by Joe Lucio)

Southwold Earthworks (National Historic Site)
(1500's), Iona
An Attiwandaronk Indian fortified village. It is a ring of earthworks surrounding the remains of a double-palisade and village.

Wolseley Barracks
(unknown dates), London
Located at the Royal Canadian Regiment Museum.

Fort Norfolk
(1814 - 1815), Turkey Point
A log redoubt and a blockhouse for 300 men. A larger fort was planned to protect a planned British Naval Base here, but construction was never started. A marker is at the site.

Grand River Naval Depot
(1815), Port Maitland
Planned as the next major British Naval Base on Lake Erie, for 1000 men and three frigates, but was limited by the Rush-Bagot Treaty of 1817. It was never completed. No remains. A marker is at Esplanade Park.

Old Fort Erie (Regional Park)
(1764 - 1803, 1804 - unknown), Fort Erie
The first fort, consisting of a log blockhouse, storehouses, and other houses, was damaged from flooding and ice in 1779. It was almost completely destroyed by a storm in 1803. The second stone fort was not completed until 1812. It was captured by American forces in 1814, who then strengthened its defences. They successfully repelled one assault before later abandoning it. The Americans also built a fortified encampment adjacent to the fort. The fort was restored in 1939. Operated by the Niagara Parks Commission. Admission fee. The remains of 28 U.S. soldiers were unearthed in 1987 outside of the fort, and were re-interred in New York with full military honours.
Located near here is the Ridgeway Battlefield Museum.

Frenchman's Creek Battery
(1812), Fort Erie
Located just north of Fort Erie on the Niagara Parkway. A shore battery along the river, it was captured by the Americans. Site is marked.

Fort Chippawa
(1794 - 1814), Chippawa
A British garrison, and a gun battery on the river, were here in 1812. Destroyed in 1814 during the "Battle of Chippawa". A blockhouse and storehouse were built here in 1794. Also known as Fort Welland. Site is marked along the north bank of the Welland (Chippawa) River in Kings Bridge Park.

Queenston Heights Battlefield (National Historic Site)
(1812, 1814 - 1815), Queenston
The site of a major British victory against the Americans in 1812. The Redan Battery was located by the river, and captured by the Americans during the battle. The site is marked. A redoubt battery, Fort Riall, a blockhouse with earthworks, Fort Drummond, and temporary barracks were built here in 1814. Both were briefly occupied by the Americans in 1814. The earthworks of both still exist. Located near Brock's Monument.

Niagara River Batteries
(1812), Niagara Parkway
Several British shore batteries were along the river between Niagara-on-the-Lake and Queenston. McFarland House Battery was set up behind the McFarland House. The restored house is operated by the Niagara Parks Commission. Brown's Point Battery was located on Brown's Point. It was also the site of a large British encampment. Vrooman's Battery was located 2 km north of present-day York Road in Queenston. It was a one-gun crescent-shaped earthwork that took part in the "Battle of Queenston Heights". All sites are marked.

Fort George (National Historic Site)
(1796 - 1824), Niagara-on-the-Lake
Built with six earthen bastions with a palisade and ditch. The Center Blockhouse was within the fort, and the North and South Blockhouses (1797) were used as barracks. Another blockhouse was built in 1800 inside the southeast redan, adjacent to the powder magazine. This fort was bombarded by Fort Niagara in New York, in a rare duel between opposing forts, and then captured by American forces in 1813. It was rebuilt by the Americans, but the British soon recaptured it. Several buildings have been reconstructed, such as the Officers' quarters, soldiers' barracks, and guardhouse. The powder magazine is the only original structure. Admission fee.
Nearby by the river was Navy Hall, part of the British Naval Base and marine depot from 1775 - 1783, and 1797 - 1812. From 1792 to 1796 it was used as the Governor's residence. Of interest nearby, the Niagara Historical Museum is located on Castlereagh Street. Originally known as Newark, Niagara-on-the-Lake was the capital of Upper Canada from 1791 to 1796. Another website at niagara.com.

Fort Mississauga (National Historic Site)
(1814 - 1870), Niagara-on-the-Lake
A brick blockhouse and earthworks were built here to replace Fort George, and it remains on the munincipal golf club property. It was partially built with material from the lighthouse that once stood here from 1804 to 1814. The fort was disarmed in 1856. No public admittance to the blockhouse, but the grounds may be walked. PHOTO LINK | MAP LINK

Butler's Barracks (National Historic Site)
(1814 - 1960's), Niagara-on-the-Lake
This housed Butler's Rangers. Located here on John Street are the soldiers' quarters, workshop, cottage and Commissariat House. This post replaced Fort George and was built out of the range of Fort Niagara's (New York) guns. It was still used by the Canadian military until after the Korean War.

Stoney Creek Battlefield (National Historic Site)
(Battlefield House Museum)
(1813), Stoney Creek
A British victory here halted the American advance after the capture of Fort George. The "Battlefield House" is the Gage House, built in 1795. A 100-feet tall monument is also here. Operated by the Niagara Parks Commission.

Burlington Heights Depot
(1813 - 1815), Hamilton
A military depot was established here after the fall of Fort George. The British erected three fortified lines of defence. A stone marker and cannon is at the site of the first line. Another marker is located in Harvey Park. Another stone marker is located in Hamilton Cemetery, with excellent remains of the earthworks here. Of interest nearby is the Hamilton Military Museum in Dundurn Park.

Ancaster Barracks
(1812 - 1815), Ancaster
Militia barracks were located here on Wilson Street. The current building on the site is probably not to the time period.

Burlington Barracks
(1812 - 1815), Burlington
A British post located at Twelve Mile Creek, consisting of two blockhouses, barracks, a magazine, and storehouses.

Fort Rouillé
(1749 - 1760), Toronto
Also known as Fort Toronto, it was burned to prevent the British from capturing it.

Fort York (Historic Site)
(1793 - 1840 ?), Toronto
Originally built west of Garrison Creek, moved in 1797 to the east side, consisting of a palisaded blockhouse barracks. In 1810 the original west site was refortified with earthworks and a powder magazine. The fort was destroyed by the retreating British in 1813, preventing its capture by the Americans, and rebuilt by the British in 1814, with two new blockhouse barracks, at the site of Government House. There are eight original buildings restored to their original appearance. Admission fee.

Toronto, then called York, was the capital of Upper Canada and was captured and burned by American forces in 1813. The British retaliated by burning Washington in 1814. Gibraltar Point Battery (1798, with two blockhouses) was located on Gibraltar Point (Toronto Island), along with four or five other shore batteries in 1813, protecting the Royal Dockyard that was once briefly here, located at the end of University Ave. The other 1813 shore batteries were Blockhouse Battery (two guns) at the Town Blockhouse (1798) a militia barracks, Government House Battery (two guns), Half-Moon Battery (not armed in 1813), and Western Battery (two guns, with blockhouse) located at Strachan Ave. In 1814, the Ravine Blockhouse was built, along with a new blockhouse on Gibraltar Point. The old Parliament Buildings were used as barracks after the war, but were demolished when the new Fort York (Stanley Barracks) was built. PHOTO LINK | Ghosts of Old Fort York | Another website

York Barracks
(1840 - 1950 ?), Toronto
Originally named New Fort York and renamed in 1893 to Stanley Barracks. The Officers' quarters were built in 1841. It is now the Toronto Marine Museum. Everything else was demolished after World War II. This site is located west of the site of the original Fort York.

Willow Creek Depot
(1814 - 1815), Minesing
The depot here on the Nottawasaga River was the main staging area for British military supplies between York (Toronto) and Fort Mackinac, Michigan, via Lake Huron. There was a palisade around eight buildings. Also known as Fort Willow. There are no remains, but the site is marked. The town was once known as Glengarry Landing.

Wasaga Blockhouse
(Nancy Island Historic Site)
(1814), Wasaga Beach
A hastily built blockhouse that defended the H.M.S. Nancy from the American fleet. The Nancy's guns were transferred to the blockhouse. The fort and the ship were destroyed by the Americans in August 1814. The ship was raised in 1927, and a museum was built to tell the story.
Schooner Town was a British Naval Base here until 1814. It was replaced by Penetanguishene.

Orillia Trading Post
(1815 - 1875), Orillia
A Hudson's Bay Co. post in 1875. The British built this post for Chief Yellowhead and the Ojibway tribe who settled here after their British service in the War of 1812.

Fort Sainte Marie
(Saint-Louis Mission National Historic Site)
(1639 - 1649), Midland
Also known as Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons, it is a recreation of a palisaded Jesuit Mission and native structures. The mission was destroyed and its people killed by the Iroquois. This was the center of a group of missions called "Huronia". Admission fee.

Penetanguishene Establishment
(Discovery Harbour)
(1814, 1830's - 1856), Penetanguishene
Location of a Royal Naval Shipyard, and an Army Barracks that was relocated from Drummond Island after that island was awarded to the United States. A blockhouse from 1814 was also built here. There are 15 restored buildings from the 1817 - 1834 period, as well as three working ship replicas. PHOTO LINK

NEED MORE INFO: Pine Fort (unknown date) at or near Holland Landing.
Towns / Villages:

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