Old Fort Erie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Erie National Historic Site of Canada |
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| Location | 350 Lakeshore Road Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada L2A 1B1 |
| Built | 1764 (original fort) 1805–1808 (present fort) |
| Original use | Military fort |
| Current use | Living museum |
| Governing body | Niagara Parks Commission |
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| Designated: | May 28, 1933 |
Old Fort Erie, also called Fort Erie, is a historic fort in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. It sits right across the Niagara River from Buffalo, New York in the United States. This fort was the first one built by the British after the Seven Years' War (also known as the French and Indian War). After this war, France gave its lands east of the Mississippi River to Great Britain.
Today, the Niagara Parks Commission owns and runs the fort and the land around it. It is a special place where you can learn about history.
Contents
History of Fort Erie
The British took control of their new lands by using French forts and building new ones. They created a supply route along the Niagara River and the Upper Great Lakes. The first Fort Erie was built in 1764. It was located right by the Niagara River, where the parking lot is today.
This first fort was a place to store supplies. It was also a port for ships carrying goods, soldiers, and people across Lake Erie. In 1795, the fort had some wooden blockhouses. These were surrounded by a wooden fence called a palisade. Supplies were kept inside the fort. There was also a large wooden building for gunpowder just outside.
Winter storms often damaged the fort. So, in 1803, plans were made for a new fort. This new fort would be built on higher ground behind the old one. It was designed to be bigger and made of strong flintstone. However, it was not fully finished when the War of 1812 began.
The fort was a supply base for British troops, United Empire Loyalists (people loyal to Britain), and their Iroquois allies. This was during the American Revolution. Because of the bad winter weather, the small fort by the water was often damaged. In 1803, a new Fort Erie was planned. It was built on the hills behind the old fort. The new fort was stronger because it was made from Onondaga flintstone. This type of stone was easy to find in the area.
War of 1812 (1812–1815)
Fort Erie was the site of some of the bloodiest battles during the War of 1812. The new fort was not finished when the United States declared war on June 18, 1812. Some soldiers from Fort Erie fought in the Battle of Frenchman's Creek in November 1812. This was against an American attack.
In 1813, American forces took control of Fort Erie for a while. They then left the fort on June 9, 1813. The small group of British and Canadian Militia soldiers had partly taken the fort apart as they left.
The British returned and took over the area in December 1813. They tried to rebuild the fort. On July 3, 1814, another American force landed nearby. They captured Fort Erie again. The U.S. Army used the fort as a supply base. They also made it bigger and stronger with more defenses.
At the end of July, after the battles of Chippawa and Lundy's Lane, the American army went back to Fort Erie. The British then surrounded the fort for a long time. This was called the Siege of Fort Erie. In the early morning of August 15, 1814, the British attacked the fort from four different directions. However, the Americans were ready. An explosion in the North East Bastion (a part of the fort) ruined the British attack. They lost more than 1,000 soldiers.
On September 17, American soldiers left the fort and captured two British cannon positions. They were able to disable the guns in one of them before being pushed back. A brave officer named Eleazer D. Wood was killed leading this attack. Soon after, the British stopped their siege. They moved north to Chippawa.
After a small American attack at Cook's Mills, news reached the American forces. They learned that the eastern coast of the U.S. was under attack. So, on November 5, 1814, as winter was coming, the Americans destroyed the fort. They then went back to Buffalo.
Mid-19th Century (1814–1866)
The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814. This treaty officially ended the War of 1812. The British were worried about more American attacks. So, they continued to occupy the ruined fort until 1823. Some of the stones from the fort were used to build St. Paul's Anglican Church in 1824. This church was rebuilt in 1892 after a fire. Today, the church is about 3 km (1.9 mi) north of the fort, next to the later built Niagara Parkway.
The town of Fort Erie began to grow north of the fort. This happened when a train station and railway end point were built in the area.
Fenian Raids (1866)
The Fenians were Irish-American soldiers who had fought in the American Civil War. They wanted Ireland to be free from Britain. They launched several attacks on Upper Canada. One large attack happened at Fort Erie on June 1, 1866. A force of 1,000 to 1,500 Fenians crossed the Niagara River.
The Fenians took over the town. They demanded food and horses. The only payment they could offer was Fenian bonds, which the townspeople would not accept. The Fenians cut the telegraph wires and pulled up some railway tracks.
Afterward, they marched to Chippewa. The next day, they went to Ridgeway. There, they fought the Battle of Ridgeway against the Canadian militia. The Fenians then returned to Fort Erie. They defeated a small group of Canadian militia there.
The Fenian commander could not get more soldiers from across the river. American forces were guarding the river. He was also worried about the large British and militia forces coming his way. So, he decided to go back to the U.S. Some of his soldiers left the group. About 850 Fenians surrendered to the American navy. This was the last major Fenian raid on Upper Canada.
Recent History (1866–present)
The fort was empty for many years. Old parts of the barracks (soldiers' homes), walls, and a mill were still standing. Eventually, military retirees and others lived there. In 1901, the fort was sold to the Niagara Parks Commission.
The reconstruction of the fort began in 1937. Only the walls and two barracks were rebuilt at first. The provincial and federal governments, along with the Niagara Parks Commission, worked together on this project. It was a way to create jobs during the Great Depression. The fort was restored to look like it did during the 1812-1814 period. It officially reopened on July 1, 1939.
During the restoration, a mass grave was found. It held the bodies of 150 British and 3 American soldiers. A monument was put up at this spot in 1904.
The Niagara Parkway was built starting at Fort Erie. It continues for 56 km (35 mi) north to Lake Ontario. Sir Winston Churchill once said that the parkway was "the prettiest Sunday drive in the world."
Every year, during the second weekend of August, many people who enjoy historical re-enactment gather at Fort Erie. They act out the siege of Fort Erie, bringing history to life.
On June 28, 1985, Canada Post released a stamp called 'Fort Erie, Ont.' This was part of the "Forts Across Canada Series."
Affiliations
Fort Erie is connected with:
See also
In Spanish: Old Fort Erie para niños
