Fort Amherstburg facts for kids

Location of Fort Malden just above Amherstburg

Fort Amherstburg was an important fort built a long time ago. It was built by a group called the Royal Canadian Volunteers. This fort was located right where the Detroit River meets Lake Erie. It was built in 1796 to replace an older fort, Fort Detroit. Britain had to give Fort Detroit to the United States because of a peace agreement called the Jay Treaty.

This fort was very important for protecting the area. It also had a special place called the "King's Navy Yard." Here, ships were built for use on the upper Great Lakes, like Lakes Erie, Huron, and Superior.

Fort Amherstburg and the War of 1812

The War of 1812 started in July 1812. US General William Hull invaded Canada. Soldiers from Fort Amherstburg helped stop the Americans at River Canard.

General Hull then went back to Fort Detroit. British General Isaac Brock and the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh met near Fort Amherstburg. They planned an attack on Fort Detroit. This meeting happened in a special building outside the fort.

Later, the British and Canadians lost the Battle of Lake Erie. Many cannons from the fort had been moved to the ships for this battle. After the loss, the British and Canadians destroyed Fort Amherstburg. They then retreated to keep the fort's supplies from falling into American hands.

After the War of 1812

The Americans built a new, smaller fort on the same spot. Part of the old fort's wall and a corner tower (bastion) can still be seen today. After the war ended, the British and Canadians took back control of the area. This included the fort, which became known as Fort Malden.

After the War of 1812, the fort was not kept in good shape for a while. But then, there were threats of rebellion in Upper Canada. So, the fort was fixed up and used again by the military. Soldiers from the 34th Regiment of Foot were stationed there. This regiment was famous for its bravery in other wars.

From Fort to Hospital

After the 1837 rebellion ended, the fort was no longer needed for military use. It was changed into a hospital for people with mental health issues. The smallest building was used for staff. The two larger buildings housed patients, separated by gender.

Trees were planted around the fort for shade. The military had not wanted trees because they could block the view of attackers. Later, the hospital moved to St. Catharines, Ontario, where it still operates today.

Later Uses and Today

After the hospital moved, the fort property was used as a woodmill. Eventually, the land was sold off for private homes. The two large barracks buildings are no longer on the fort grounds. One was moved into Amherstburg town and burned down in the 1920s.

The other barracks building still exists today. It was moved from the fort grounds and divided into three separate houses. They still have the same shape as the old barracks. At least one of these houses still has its original walls!

Today, Fort Amherstburg is a historic site called Fort Malden. Many tourists visit it from all over the world. Every Canada Day, an old 1812 cannon is fired. This happens before a big fireworks show.

During the summer, staff at the fort wear old-fashioned uniforms. They show visitors what life was like at the fort in the early 1800s. You can see cooking demonstrations and musket firing demonstrations. The biggest event at Fort Malden is on the Canadian Civic Holiday weekend. People who re-enact history from different time periods gather there. They perform combat demonstrations and set up full camps.

Fort Buildings

The first fort had several important buildings:

• a building for weapons and soldiers
• a guard house
• a place to store gunpowder
• a storehouse for the Indian Department
• a meeting house for the Indian Department
• a home for the Indian Department's storekeeper
• a washroom (privy)
• a shed for a fire engine
• a shed for weapons
• a kitchen

The second fort, built by the Americans, had:

• large barracks for soldiers
• barracks for officers
• a guardhouse
• a jail

Many other smaller buildings were also on the fort grounds.

Museum Connections

The Fort Malden museum is connected with:

• CMA
• CHIN
• Virtual Museum of Canada

See also

• Chronology of the War of 1812
• War of 1812 Campaigns
• List of forts
• Upper Canada