Niagara-on-the-Lake in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Fortified Mouth of the Niagara River
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019
1. The Fortified Mouth of the Niagara River Marker
Inscription.
The Fortified Mouth of the Niagara River. . The St.Lawrence and Great Lakes system was the most efficient route to the interior of the continent of North America. Large waterways allowed for substantial sailing vessels to trade and maintain contact with Native allies from Montreal to the Mississippi with minimal portages and transhipment in smaller boats. The one great obstacle along the chain of waterways was Niagara Falls whose dramatic height required some control of the land to allow for a portage around the escarpment and the falls to the lakes beyond. The strategic importance of this area led to the construction of several forts at the mouth of the river in an attempt to control this critical water route., Fort Mississauga 1814 - 1870 , . Built on the site of the first lighthouse on the Great Lakes (1804)> , . Construction begins in 1814 to replace Fort George , . Importance of waterways reduced by construction of Erie (1825) and Welland (1829) canals , . Base for British/Canadian defense during Rebellion Crisis 1837, U.S. Civil War and the Fenian Raids 1866 + 1870., Fort George 1796 - 1824 , . Built by the British in 1796 to counter sudden American occupation of Fort Niagara , . Principal fortification and Headquarters of Centre Division during the War of 18 12 , . Engaged in several artillery duels in 1812 , . Destroyed, captured and occupied by U.S. forces in May of 1813 , . Modified by occupying U.S. forces to defend against a land assault , . Re-occupied by British in December 1814 , . Butler's Barracks (1814) complex built out of range of U.S. artillery , . Used until 1824, Fort Niagara , French Occupation 1679 - 1759 , . Fort Conti 1679 , . Fort Denonville (small wooden complex 1687) , Fort Niagara , . First stone structures 1726 , . Critical post for fur trade and defensive works against the Iroquois , . Suffered the only European-style siege in North America in 1759 , . Surrendered to British and colonial allies on July 25, 1759 , British Occupation 1759 - 1796 , . Constructed naval yard on Canadian side in 1765 (became Navy Hall) , . Used as a base for British raids through American Revolution , . Safe refuge for thousands of displaced Loyalists and First Nations people , . Ceded to the United States in 1796 according to the terms of Jay's Treaty , U.S. Occupation 1796 - 1903 , . Engaged in several artillery duels in 1812 , . Severely damaged during the War of 18 12 , . Base of American operations for the Battle of Fort George , . Captured by British in 1813 and held until 1815 , . Modified in reaction to Upper Canadian Rebellion 1837 and U.S. Civil War , . Abandoned for military use 1903 ,
The St.Lawrence and Great Lakes system was the most efficient route to the interior of the continent of North America. Large waterways allowed for substantial sailing vessels to trade and maintain contact with Native allies from Montreal to the Mississippi with minimal portages and transhipment in smaller boats. The one great obstacle along the chain of waterways was Niagara Falls whose dramatic height required some control of the land to allow for a portage around the escarpment and the falls to the lakes beyond. The strategic importance of this area led to the construction of several forts at the mouth of the river in an attempt to control this critical water route.
Fort Mississauga 1814 - 1870
Built on the site of the first lighthouse on the Great Lakes (1804)>
Construction begins in 1814 to replace Fort George
Importance of waterways reduced by construction of Erie (1825) and Welland (1829) canals
Base for British/Canadian defense during Rebellion Crisis 1837, U.S. Civil War and the Fenian Raids 1866 + 1870.
Fort George 1796 - 1824
Built by the British in 1796 to counter sudden American occupation of Fort Niagara
Principal fortification and Headquarters of Centre Division during the War of 1812
Engaged in several artillery
Click or scan to see this page online
duels in 1812
Destroyed, captured and occupied by U.S. forces in May of 1813
Modified by occupying U.S. forces to defend against a land assault
Re-occupied by British in December 1814
Butler's Barracks (1814) complex built out of range of U.S. artillery
Used until 1824
Fort Niagara
French Occupation 1679 - 1759
Fort Conti 1679
Fort Denonville (small wooden complex 1687)
Fort Niagara
First stone structures 1726
Critical post for fur trade and defensive works against the Iroquois
Suffered the only European-style siege in North America in 1759
Surrendered to British and colonial allies on July 25, 1759
British Occupation 1759 - 1796
Constructed naval yard on Canadian side in 1765 (became Navy Hall)
Used as a base for British raids through American Revolution
Safe refuge for thousands of displaced Loyalists and First Nations people
Ceded to the United States in 1796 according to the terms of Jay's Treaty
U.S. Occupation 1796 - 1903
Engaged in several artillery duels in 1812
Severely damaged during the War of 1812
Base of American operations for the Battle of Fort George
Captured by British in 1813 and held until 1815
Modified in reaction to Upper Canadian
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019
2. The Fortified Mouth of the Niagara River Marker
Rebellion 1837 and U.S. Civil War
Abandoned for military use 1903
Location. 43° 15.127′ N, 79° 3.74′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. Marker can be reached from Queens Parade just south of Wellington Street. This historic marker is located on the grounds of a national historic park. On the map this historic marker appears to be near the end of Bryon Street, but in order to see this historic marker one should probably pull into the parking lot of the national park, which is just off of the roadway called the Queens Parade. Once you park your vehicle the historical marker is just a short walk away along the pathway that leads to the fort's visitor center. This particular historical marker is just to the left of a three marker display panel that is situated between the park's visitor center and the reconstructed fort, facing away from Fort George and towards Fort Niagara (which is situated on the American side of the river). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1J0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019
3. Markers at Fort George
There are several markers at this location. The Fortified Mouth of the Niagara River marker is seen here on the left.
4. The Fortified Mouth of the Niagara River Marker
Close-up view of the text discussing Fort Mississauga, including an aerial photograph of the fortress.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2011
5. The Fortified Mouth of the Niagara River Marker
Close-up view of the aerial photograph of Fort Mississauga that is displayed on the historical marker.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2011
6. The Fortified Mouth of the Niagara River Marker
Close-up view of the text discussing Fort George, including an aerial photograph of the fortress.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2011
7. The Fortified Mouth of the Niagara River Marker
Close-up view of the aerial photograph of Fort George that is displayed on the historical marker.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2011
8. The Fortified Mouth of the Niagara River Marker
Close-up view of the text discussing Fort Niagara, including an aerial photograph of the fortress.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2011
9. The Fortified Mouth of the Niagara River Marker
Close-up view of the aerial photograph of Fort Niagara that is displayed on the historical marker.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2011
10. The Fortified Mouth of the Niagara River Marker
View of the backside of a series of historical markers (this historical marker is on the far right hand side of the group of markers) with a view of Fort George in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 772 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 24, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on March 17, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.