Fort Malden facts for kids
The museum, standing in front of the restored soldier's barracks
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| Established | 1795 |
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| Location | Amherstburg, Ontario Canada. |
| Type | Military Fortification |
| Designated: | 1921 |
Fort Malden, also known as Fort Amherstburg, is an old fort in Amherstburg, Ontario. It was built in 1795 by the British. Its main purpose was to protect British North America (which is now Canada) from possible attacks by the Americans.
This fort is most famous for its role in the War of 1812. Important leaders like Sir Isaac Brock and Tecumseh met here to plan battles, including the Siege of Detroit. Fort Malden was a key British stronghold during the war. Today, it is one of Canada's National Historic Sites of Canada, meaning it's a special place protected for its history. The fort also helped keep the border safe during the Upper Canada Rebellion.
Beyond its military past, Fort Malden has a rich history. It was once part of a plan to settle retired British soldiers. Later, in 1859, it became a hospital for people with mental health issues. After the hospital closed, the land was sold to private owners. Many years later, local people worked hard to save the fort. It was officially recognized as a historic site in 1921. Today, Parks Canada looks after Fort Malden, and visitors can explore its many buildings. Each building shows a different part of the fort's long history.
Contents
History
Building the Fort (Before 1795)
In 1784, the British decided that the land across from Bois Blanc Island (where Amherstburg is now) was a good spot for a military fort. It was a strategic place for defence. Some historians believe that Native peoples used this area for defence even before the British arrived.
Early Years (1795–1812)
After a treaty in 1795, British soldiers had to leave Fort Detroit. They moved to Fort Malden. In 1797, the fort was officially named Fort Amherstburg. This name honored General Lord Amherst, a British commander. Even though its official name is Fort Amherstburg, people living nearby often called it Fort Malden because it was in Malden Township. This name stuck!
The War of 1812 (1812–1814)
Fort Malden played a big part in the War of 1812. On July 2, 1812, British forces from Amherstburg captured an American ship called the Cuyahoga. The United States had declared war on Britain, but the American General William Hull didn't know yet. His ship was carrying supplies and people.
On July 12, General Hull's American forces crossed the Detroit River and took the town of Sandwich (now Windsor, Ontario). They used the François Baby House as their headquarters. A few days later, on July 16, British soldiers from Fort Malden fought Hull's troops at the River Canard. This battle saw the first deaths of the War of 1812.
Maj. Gen. Isaac Brock took command of Fort Malden on August 13, 1812. He led British troops across the Detroit River. On August 16, with the help of Chief Tecumseh and his Native warriors, Brock and Tecumseh marched on Fort Detroit. General Hull was very scared of the Native warriors. Brock and Tecumseh made him believe there were 5,000 warriors, much more than there actually were! Because of this fear, Fort Detroit surrendered without a fight. This victory was very important for the British and their Native allies.
Later in the war, the British had to move their resources to other areas. In September 1813, General Proctor had to leave Fort Malden. He burned the fort to prevent the Americans from using it. The fort's people fled, and Proctor eventually retreated to Niagara.
American Occupation (1813–1815)
After General Proctor burned Fort Malden, American forces took over Amherstburg and the fort's land. They used the area for supply raids. The Americans also started rebuilding Fort Malden. The war ended with the Treaty of Ghent in February 1815. The land, including Fort Malden, was returned to the British. The American army left the fort on July 1, 1815.
The Upper Canada Rebellion (1837–1838)
After some time, Fort Malden was used again to house soldiers and stop the Upper Canada Rebellion. This rebellion involved American sympathizers who tried to raid the border. Because of this new threat, Fort Malden was improved. New buildings were constructed, and old defences were fixed.
On January 9, 1838, American "Hunter" Patriots tried to raid Amherstburg by crossing the Detroit River. All three British regiments, along with local militia and Native American warriors, successfully defended the town. They captured twenty American prisoners. After the rebellion ended, fewer soldiers were needed at the fort.
The Pensioner Scheme (1839–1858)
When soldiers started leaving Fort Malden, the people of Amherstburg worried about being unprotected. So, the 34th (Cumberland) Regiment of Foot was stationed there. Even though there was no immediate threat, the regiment worked to improve the fort's defences. More barracks and storehouses were built.
From 1851 to 1859, retired soldiers and their families lived at Fort Malden as part of the Pensioner Scheme. This plan helped the town of Amherstburg grow. The retired soldiers were important to the local economy. Many of these pensioners were Irish Catholic and added to the town's culture. Some of their old cottages still stand near Fort Malden today.
The Asylum Years (1859–1875)
In 1859, the British government ended the Pensioner Scheme. Fort Malden was given to the province of Ontario. On June 8, 1859, it was decided that Fort Malden would become a hospital for people with mental health issues, called the Malden Lunatic Asylum. Many old forts were turned into hospitals or prisons because they already had strong buildings.
The asylum was an extension of a larger hospital in Toronto. Many of the fort's buildings needed repairs. An architect named Kivas Tully oversaw the work, and some patients even helped with construction. The barracks became separate wings for male and female patients.
Dr. Andrew Fisher was the first medical superintendent. He had more buildings constructed and enclosed the grounds with a fence for patients to use. Dr. Fisher believed in progressive treatment. He landscaped the grounds, started a library for patients, and offered weekly dances and religious services. He didn't use solitary confinement or many medications. Patients also worked, with men doing repairs and women doing chores.
In 1867, Dr. Fisher resigned, and Dr. Henry Landor took over. He changed some buildings and admitted more patients with severe conditions. The asylum had about 30 employees, some of whom were former pensioners. There are even ghost stories about a woman named Mary, a laundry maid, who is said to haunt the Hough House, where the laundry used to be.
In 1870, the Malden Lunatic Asylum closed. Its patients moved to another hospital. The fort was mostly empty until 1875. The asylum had been very important to Amherstburg's economy, providing jobs and a market for local goods.
Private Ownership (1876–1935)
In 1875, Fort Malden was divided into eleven lots and sold to private families. This led to new streets being built. A local dentist, Andrew Borrowman, bought the main fort complex. He leased it to a lumber mill. Many old fort buildings were destroyed or changed to fit the mill's needs.
Later, Franklin A. Hough bought the main fort area. He was a former mayor of Amherstburg. He wanted to turn the land into a grand estate. He tore down or moved many old military buildings. He even changed the lumber mill into his private home, making it look like a fancy Colonial Revival house. This private ownership changed the look of the fort for many years.
National Historic Site (1935–Present)
In the mid-20th century, people started working to get the land back for public use. In 1917, some land was seized by the town and given to the federal government. After Franklin A. Hough died in 1946, the government bought his property.
Many townspeople wanted Fort Malden to be a Heritage Site. They sent petitions to the government as early as 1904. In 1921, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board recognized the fort. A plaque was placed there. In 1938, a committee was formed to advocate for the fort and build a museum. The museum opened in 1939.
Finally, on December 28, 1940, the federal government officially made Fort Malden a National Historic Park. It opened on June 22, 1941. Today, the National Historic Site covers 4.5 hectares. It includes the fort, the Brick Commissariat building (built in 1831), the King's Navy Yard Park, and a stone lighthouse (built in 1836).
Fort Malden's preservation has made people more interested in Amherstburg's history. The fort offers educational tours, group sessions, and camps. These programs teach about the fort's military past and daily life for early settlers.
Underground Railroad
The town of Amherstburg was often called Fort Malden because the fort was so important to its history. When people talk about Fort Malden's role in the Underground Railroad, they are often talking about the whole area. The fort itself helped protect and support enslaved people who were escaping to freedom.
Fort Malden was known as the "chief place of entry" for refugees coming into Canada to escape slavery in the United States. An abolitionist named Levi Coffin called Fort Malden "the great landing place, the principle terminus of the underground railroad of the west." After 1850, about thirty escaped enslaved people arrived at Fort Malden by steamboat every day. Captain C.W. Appleby, a famous sailor, helped many people cross from Lake Erie ports to Fort Malden.
Many of these refugees didn't stay in Amherstburg. They wanted to move further away from the border to avoid being recaptured. However, the large number of new arrivals greatly changed the town. At the start of the American Civil War, about 800 Black people lived in Fort Malden. They made up 40% of the area's population! This rapid increase happened partly because of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. This law made it dangerous for escaped enslaved people even in northern states, pushing them further north into Canada.
The Underground Railroad had its own secret language. Detroit, where many escaped enslaved people crossed into Canada, was called "Midnight." The Detroit River was called "Jordan," like the river in the Bible that the Israelites crossed to reach the Promised Land. Canada was often called "Dawn," symbolizing the hope it offered. Fort Malden, being right on the Detroit River, became a popular place for people seeking freedom.
Those who reached Canada were eager to stay safe. Many refugees volunteered for local militias during conflicts. During the War of 1812 and the 1837 Rebellions, Black Canadians served bravely at Fort Malden. In 1837-1838, the Second Essex Company of Coloured Volunteers protected Fort Malden and helped capture the ship Anne.
Fort Malden was a symbol of freedom for those on the Underground Railroad. It was a gateway, a safe place, and sometimes even a new home. Today, Amherstburg is home to The North American Black Historical Museum and Cultural Centre Inc. This museum celebrates the rich history of Fort Malden and its role in the journey to freedom for many African Americans.
Tecumseh and the British–Indian Alliance
In the late 1700s, as Americans moved west into First Nations' lands, many Native peoples moved from Fort Detroit to Fort Malden. The British offered them safety. A very important alliance during the War of 1812 was between the British at Fort Malden and Tecumseh, a chief of the Shawnee people.
Tecumseh believed that a military alliance between Britain and the First Nations was the best way to defend against American expansion. A writer named John Richardson, who saw Tecumseh at Fort Malden, said Tecumseh had a fiery look in his eyes that made soldiers like him.
Tecumseh played a big part in the Siege of Detroit. This event helped make the alliance between the British and First Nations stronger. General William Hull, who commanded Fort Detroit, was terrified that Tecumseh's warriors would attack the fort. Tecumseh used this fear to his advantage. He made his men march loudly through a distant clearing, making Hull believe there were many more warriors than there actually were. This helped the British win the battle.
However, the British and First Nations didn't always have the same goals. When the British position at Detroit weakened, General Henry Proctor abandoned Fort Malden. Tecumseh felt betrayed. On September 18, 1813, General Proctor told the Indian Council that Fort Malden would be abandoned. Tecumseh spoke to Proctor, saying that the British were giving up too easily, while the First Nations were still committed to defending their land. He compared Proctor's actions to a "fat animal" that runs away when scared.
Despite their protests, Tecumseh and his men followed General Proctor as they retreated from Fort Malden. Sadly, Tecumseh was killed during this retreat at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813.
Major Structures and Layout
Over the years, Fort Malden has changed a lot. Many buildings were built and then torn down. Today, the fort has several buildings that have been restored for visitors. Each building is recognized as a Federal Heritage Building because of its history, design, and importance.
Hough House
The Hough House was built in the late 1800s. It has been restored to look like a Colonial Revival-style building. It has beautiful brickwork and wood details. With its wood shingle roof, stone accents, and special windows, the Hough House is a very stylish building at the fort. It looks like a country manor. Many visitors come to see the Hough House because of its design and because it holds many historical records and archives about the fort.
Brick Barracks
The barracks building is a main part of Fort Malden. It was designed like a simple military bungalow from the 1800s. This long, rectangular building stands out with its red brick exterior. It has large bay windows, a front porch, and wooden doors. The building has been restored, with new hardwood floors and changes to its inside. The chimneys, doors, and windows were also rebuilt.
Visitor Centre
This single-storey building is the main entrance to the fort. It provides information to visitors. The Visitor Centre used to be the museum before the exhibits moved to the Hough House. It is rectangular and follows the Colonial Revival style of the other buildings. It has a limestone outside, stone chimneys, and pretty gardens.
Callum House
The Commissariat Office, or Callum House, shows the military presence at Fort Malden. It is located in the Amherstburg Navy Yard. It was used to manage contracts for soldiers in the mid-1800s. The Callum House looks similar to the Barracks but doesn't have a verandah (a covered porch). Parks Canada restored the building in the 1980s, keeping its original design.
The Amherstburg Royal Naval Dockyard is another National Historic Site nearby. It's located just outside Fort Malden, overlooking the Detroit River. This dockyard was built in 1796. It was a place where the British military stored supplies and built ships. Many ships used in the War of 1812 were built or repaired here. The dockyard was torn down in 1813. Today, the land is a community park with gardens and recreational areas. Plaques in the park tell its history.
Affiliations
The Museum is affiliated with: CMA, CHIN, and Virtual Museum of Canada.
Images for kids
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Location of Fort Malden just above Amherstburg
