Fort Drummond (Queenston Heights) facts for kids

Fort Drummond was an important military site from the War of 1812. It was a special kind of fort called a redoubt, which is a small, enclosed fort. It also had an artillery battery, meaning it had cannons. This historic site is located within Queenston Heights in Ontario, Canada.

What is Fort Drummond?

Fort Drummond was not built from wood, brick, or rock. Instead, it was an earthworks structure. This means it was made from mounds of earth shaped into a U-form. These earth walls helped protect soldiers and cannons during battles.

Built for Battle

The British Army built Fort Drummond in 1814. They named it after Sir Gordon Drummond, a British general. During the War of 1812, the fort saw action. American forces occupied it for two weeks in July 1814. This happened during the Battle of Chippawa. However, the British later managed to take it back.

What You Can See Today

Even today, you can still see the walls of the original earthworks. A wading pond was added to the site in the 1920s. It was later replaced in 1967. This pond is located within the area where the fort once stood.

Other Forts Nearby

Fort Drummond was built in an important area. This region was very close to the border with the United States. Because of this, other fortifications were also built nearby to protect the border. These include:

• Fort Mississauga (built between 1814 and 1816)
• Fort George, Ontario (built in 1802)