Fort Amherstburg
Encyclopedia
Fort Amherstburg was built by the Royal Canadian Volunteers at the mouth of the Detroit River
to replace Fort Detroit
, which Britain
was required to cede to the United States of America in 1796 as a result of the Jay Treaty
.
Built in the years before the War of 1812
, Fort Amherstburg included "King's Navy Yard" for shipbuilding
on the upper Great Lakes (Lakes Erie, Huron, and Superior). The war began in 1812 and escalated quickly with US General William Hull
invaded Canada in July 1812. Soldiers from the fort repelled the Americans at River Canard. After General Hull retreated back to Fort Detroit, British General Isaac Brock
and the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh
met at Fort Amherstburg to plan the attack of Fort Detroit in the British Indian Department building located outside of the fort grounds. After losing the Battle of Lake Erie
(including the flagship
, which was built at the nearby Navy Yard Park), the British/Canadians destroyed the fort and retreated as most of the cannons normally placed in the bastions were put onto the ships to be used for the engagement on Lake Erie and subsequently were lost.
The Americans built a new, smaller fort on the same site and called it Fort Malden
. After the end of the war, the British/Canadians reclaimed (what is now) Southern Ontario
and Fort Malden.
After the War of 1812, the British had let the fort fall into disrepair until the threat of rebellion was growing in Upper Canada. The fort was repaired to full military use where it was garrisoned with men from the 34th Regiment of Foot
(made famous for their routing the French 34th regiment during the Napoleonic wars
).
After the rebellion was ended, the Fort again was not necessary as a military installation and it was changed from a military institution to a psychiatric institution where the employees resided in the smallest barracks building and the two large remaining barracks' were divided up for gender accordingly. Trees were planted on and around the fort property to provide much needed shade, which was not wanted by the military as it would obscure their view of an attacking force. After some time, the psychiatric institution and it moved to St. Catharines, Ontario where it still exists today.
After that second purpose for the grounds was completed, the fort property was then used as a woodmill
until the property was sold off as private residences. The two large barracks buildings are no longer on the grounds as one was moved into the town of Amherstburg where it burned down while being used as a stable during the 1920s. The other barracks building technically still exists today, but has been since moved from the fort grounds, divided up into three and sold as individual residences which still maintain the same shape and in at least one of the houses original walls were still found intact.
Fort Amherstburg still continues today in a military tradition, but is now a historic site (known as Fort Malden) which is frequently visited by tourists from around the world. Every Canada Day, an 1812 6-pounder field cannon is fired before a large display of fireworks is commenced. The Fort is garrisoned with summer staff who wear the same pattern of uniform and ladies who wear clothing styles of the early 19th century. Visitors can see what fort life was like in the early 19th century through cooking demonstrations and musket firing demonstrations. The biggest event at Fort Malden would be on the Canadian Civic Holiday weekend where re-enactors of time periods ranging from Ancient Rome to World War II gather and perform combat demonstrations and have a full encampment.
, CHIN
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
Detroit River
The Detroit River is a strait in the Great Lakes system. The name comes from the French Rivière du Détroit, which translates literally as "River of the Strait". The Detroit River has served an important role in the history of Detroit and is one of the busiest waterways in the world. The river...
to replace Fort Detroit
Fort Detroit
Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit or Fort Détroit was a fort established by the French officer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac in 1701. The location of the former fort is now in the city of Detroit in the U.S...
, which Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
was required to cede to the United States of America in 1796 as a result of the Jay Treaty
Jay Treaty
Jay's Treaty, , also known as Jay's Treaty, The British Treaty, and the Treaty of London of 1794, was a treaty between the United States and Great Britain that is credited with averting war,, resolving issues remaining since the Treaty of Paris of 1783, which ended the American Revolution,, and...
.
Built in the years before the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, Fort Amherstburg included "King's Navy Yard" for shipbuilding
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
on the upper Great Lakes (Lakes Erie, Huron, and Superior). The war began in 1812 and escalated quickly with US General William Hull
William Hull
William Hull was an American soldier and politician. He fought in the American Revolution, was Governor of Michigan Territory, and was a general in the War of 1812, for which he is best remembered for surrendering Fort Detroit to the British.- Early life and Revolutionary War :He was born in...
invaded Canada in July 1812. Soldiers from the fort repelled the Americans at River Canard. After General Hull retreated back to Fort Detroit, British General Isaac Brock
Isaac Brock
Major-General Sir Isaac Brock KB was a British Army officer and administrator. Brock was assigned to Canada in 1802. Despite facing desertions and near-mutinies, he commanded his regiment in Upper Canada successfully for many years...
and the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a Native American leader of the Shawnee and a large tribal confederacy which opposed the United States during Tecumseh's War and the War of 1812...
met at Fort Amherstburg to plan the attack of Fort Detroit in the British Indian Department building located outside of the fort grounds. After losing the Battle of Lake Erie
Battle of Lake Erie
The Battle of Lake Erie, sometimes called the Battle of Put-in-Bay, was fought on 10 September 1813, in Lake Erie off the coast of Ohio during the War of 1812. Nine vessels of the United States Navy defeated and captured six vessels of Great Britain's Royal Navy...
(including the flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
, which was built at the nearby Navy Yard Park), the British/Canadians destroyed the fort and retreated as most of the cannons normally placed in the bastions were put onto the ships to be used for the engagement on Lake Erie and subsequently were lost.
The Americans built a new, smaller fort on the same site and called it Fort Malden
Fort Malden
Fort Malden is a fort that stands on the remains of Fort Amherstburg in Amherstburg, Ontario. The original fort was abandoned by the British/Canadians in 1813 when Southwest Ontario fell into American hands. The Americans began building a smaller replacement fort on the same site, but this was...
. After the end of the war, the British/Canadians reclaimed (what is now) Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario is a region of the province of Ontario, Canada that lies south of the French River and Algonquin Park. Depending on the inclusion of the Parry Sound and Muskoka districts, its surface area would cover between 14 to 15% of the province. It is the southernmost region of...
and Fort Malden.
After the War of 1812, the British had let the fort fall into disrepair until the threat of rebellion was growing in Upper Canada. The fort was repaired to full military use where it was garrisoned with men from the 34th Regiment of Foot
34th (Cumberland) Regiment of Foot
The 34th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1702 and amalgamated with the 55th Regiment of Foot, into The Border Regiment in 1881.-Early 18th century :...
(made famous for their routing the French 34th regiment during the Napoleonic wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
).
After the rebellion was ended, the Fort again was not necessary as a military installation and it was changed from a military institution to a psychiatric institution where the employees resided in the smallest barracks building and the two large remaining barracks' were divided up for gender accordingly. Trees were planted on and around the fort property to provide much needed shade, which was not wanted by the military as it would obscure their view of an attacking force. After some time, the psychiatric institution and it moved to St. Catharines, Ontario where it still exists today.
After that second purpose for the grounds was completed, the fort property was then used as a woodmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
until the property was sold off as private residences. The two large barracks buildings are no longer on the grounds as one was moved into the town of Amherstburg where it burned down while being used as a stable during the 1920s. The other barracks building technically still exists today, but has been since moved from the fort grounds, divided up into three and sold as individual residences which still maintain the same shape and in at least one of the houses original walls were still found intact.
Fort Amherstburg still continues today in a military tradition, but is now a historic site (known as Fort Malden) which is frequently visited by tourists from around the world. Every Canada Day, an 1812 6-pounder field cannon is fired before a large display of fireworks is commenced. The Fort is garrisoned with summer staff who wear the same pattern of uniform and ladies who wear clothing styles of the early 19th century. Visitors can see what fort life was like in the early 19th century through cooking demonstrations and musket firing demonstrations. The biggest event at Fort Malden would be on the Canadian Civic Holiday weekend where re-enactors of time periods ranging from Ancient Rome to World War II gather and perform combat demonstrations and have a full encampment.
Affiliations
The Museum is affiliated with: CMACanadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, CHIN
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
.
See also
- Chronology of the War of 1812Chronology of the War of 1812-Origins:-1812:-1813:-1814:-1815:-External links:********...
- War of 1812 CampaignsWar of 1812 CampaignsThe following is a synopsis of the Land Campaigns of the War of 1812. The source is the United States Army Center of Military History-Canada, 18 June 1812 — 17 February 1815:...
- List of forts
- War of 1812War of 1812The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
- Upper CanadaUpper CanadaThe Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...