Fort Ingall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Ingall |
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| Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, Quebec, Canada | |
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 Fort Ingall
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| Coordinates | 47°41′28″N 68°54′03″W / 47.6912°N 68.9008°W |
| Type | fieldwork |
| Code | CkEf-4 |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Historical and Archeological Society of Temiscouata |
| Condition | Restored (1970's) |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1839–1841 |
| In use | 1839–1842 |
| Demolished | 1890 |
| Battles/wars | Aroostook War |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders |
Frederick Lennox Ingall |
| Garrison | 24th, 11th, 56th and 68th regiments |
Fort Ingall was a British fort built in 1839. It was located in Cabano, which is now part of Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, Quebec, Canada. The fort was built during the Aroostook War, a time of tension between British North America and the United States.
Today, you can visit a reconstructed version of the fort. It is now a museum that shows what life was like for soldiers in the 1800s. You can see exhibits about the fort's past and the Aroostook War. There are also old items found at the site. During certain times of the year, you can take guided tours. These tours help you imagine what soldiers' lives were like back then.
Contents
Fort Ingall's History
In 1839, Lieutenant Frederick Lenox Ingall received an order. He was told to build a fort near Lake Témiscouata. That summer, workers built three barracks. One was for officers, and two were for the soldiers. These buildings were put up near the lake, at the end of a road from Rivière-du-Loup.
A small group of soldiers arrived that summer. They were from the 24th Regiment of Foot. This group had only 12 men, along with their 6 wives and 11 children. Over the next few years, the small fort grew much larger. It became a strong fort with 12 barracks. A 12-foot tall stockade (a fence made of strong wooden posts) surrounded it.
Between 1839 and 1841, three other regiments stayed at the fort. These were the 11th, the 56th, and the 68th Regiments of Foot. At its busiest, about 200 soldiers lived there.
In 1842, the Webster–Ashburton Treaty was signed. This treaty officially set the border between British North America and the United States. This agreement helped end the Aroostook War.
What Happened to the Fort?
Local stories say that the first people who lived in Cabano tore down the fort in the 1900s. They used the large wooden logs to build their own homes. By the 1920s, nothing was left of Fort Ingall.
By the 1950s, many people had forgotten about Fort Ingall. It was almost like a legend. But then, in the 1960s, archaeologists started digging. These excavations happened in 1967 and 1968. The Société historique de Cabano led the digs. They confirmed where the fort used to be.
The archaeologists found the foundations of several buildings. These included the kitchen, the officers' sleeping area, and the powder magazine. They also found parts of the palisade. Many old items were uncovered too. These included porcelain, glass bottles, clay pipes, and military badges.
Rebuilding Fort Ingall
In 1972, Fort Ingall was rebuilt to look like its original self. Workers used building methods from the 1800s. The project received a large grant of $1 million from the Quebec Ministry of Cultural Affairs. The first part of the rebuilding focused on the dormitories. In 1977, the blockhouse and latrines were built in a second phase.
However, in 1980, more money for rebuilding was not approved. This meant six other buildings could not be reconstructed. Today, a non-profit group owns the fort. This group is called the Historical and Archeological Society of Temiscouata. They continue to manage the site and its history.
Fort Ingall's Cultural Role
Even though the rebuilding stopped, Fort Ingall remained an important cultural place. In the 1980s and 1990s, new things were added. These included the Café de l'Adjudant and the Témiscouata Roseraie. The rose garden became the second-largest rose garden in Quebec. This garden was a symbol of peace. It showed how the Aroostook War was solved without more fighting.
The fort also became a place for historical reenactments. These are events where people dress up and act like people from the past. Educational activities also took place there. In 2007, the Garrison of Lake Témiscouata was formed. This group brought military reenactments and learning programs to the fort.
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Different buildings at Fort Ingall in the summer of 2007
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A Corporal of the 24th Regiment of Foot in ceremonial dress stands in front of the gate of Fort Ingall (reenactment).
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Private of the 24th Regiment of Foot (reenactment).
Modern Recognition
In 2012, Fort Ingall received a special honor. It was named a Monument historique du patrimoine québécois. This is the highest award for a heritage site in Quebec. Since then, the fort has won many other awards. It continues to welcome over 10,000 visitors every year. In 2023, a new audio guide was added. It is available in two languages to help visitors learn even more.
See also
- List of forts
