Village Squire, 1976-07, Page 18An ancient gun that once blasted American fortifications on the L.S. side of the border at
Niagara -on -the -Lake, Ontario, is now a tourist attraction at Fort George. (Canadian Government
Office of Tourism Photo]
Canada's forts reverse role
in 200 years
BY CLAUDE LEMIEUX
Canada's forts stand as a paradox along the longest
undefended border in the world.
They are a reminder of the days when Britain and France were
at war and, later, when the United States attempted to "liberate"
Canada from the clutches of Britain.
With the United States celebrating its bicentennial this year,
the forts of Canada take on special importance. Much of the early
history of the U.S. took place on both sides of what is now the
border.
FORT GEORGE
Fort George, at Niagara -on -the -Lake, Ontario has been
reconstructed as it wad during the British occupation of 1796-1813
and was officially opened in 1950 in a ceremony attended by both
Canadian and American military forces.
Originally, an unimposing structure, poorly situated
strategically, it assumed considerable importance when war
broke out with the U.S. in June, 1812
In October, troops from Fort George inflicted a serious defeat
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on the Americans at Queenston Heights, obe mile to the south.
Canadians lost their commander, Major-General Sir Isaac Brock
in what was one of the decisive battles of the War of 1812.
A monument to Brock's memory, at Queenston Heights, is set
in an attractive park and picnic ground. It can be ascended for a
view of the famous battlefield.
In May, 1813, the outnumbered British and Canadians had to
abandon the fort to the Americans who rebuilt it on much
stronger lines.
By the end of 1813, the American commander had lost nearly
all his men so, after setting fire to Newark (now
Niagara -on -the -Lake), he retreated across the Niagara River
before the British advance.
The British then captured Fort Niagara and, in retaliation for
the fate suffered by Newark, burnt Buffalo, N.Y.
They remained in control until the end of the war and Fort
George, which had by then been replaced by the more formidable
Fort Mississauga,'was abandoned in 1815. By that time, the War
of 1812 was over.
Today, silent guns still point across the river at Fort Niagara
and although the spiked gate and the log palisade look as
menacing as ever it is hard to imagine a war ever took place here.
The fort is open to visitors mid-May to mid-June, every day but
Saturday, and from mid-June through Labor Day, every day.
Fort Erie, Ontario across the Niagara River from Buffalo, is
another interesting fort. It was built in 1764 and occupied for five
months by the Americans during the War of 1822.
FORT YORK
Fort York, where Toronto, Ontario's provincial capital, now
stands, was captured, sacked and partly burned by 1,700
invading Americans who crossed Lake Ontario in the spring of
1813 aboard 14 ships.
It was a definite American success, but a costly one.
Commander, Brigadier -General Zebulon Pike was killed along
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