Minesing in Simcoe County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Nine Mile Portage and Willow Depot
⎯⎯⎯
Portage Nine Mile et Dépôt Willow

Nine Mile Portage and Willow Depot Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

1. Nine Mile Portage and Willow Depot Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[English] Linking Upper Canada to British posts on the Great Lakes, this supply chain played a vital role during the War of 1812. In 1813, after the Americans seized control of Lake Erie, the Nine Mile Portage and Willow Depot allowed the British to supply their isolated garrison on Mackinac Island. Thanks to this route, the British and their Aboriginal allies maintained their position on the island, which was crucial to the control of the upper Great Lakes area and the territory west of Lake Michigan. After the war, the route was used for the transportation of furs and other supplies until being superseded by the railway in the 1850s.

[Français] Cette chaîne d'approvisionnement, qui reliant le Haut-Canada et les Grands Lacs, a joué un rôle crucial pendant la guerre de 1812. En 1813, après que les Américains aient pris le contrôle du lac Érié, ce portage et ce dépôt de marchandises permettent de ravitailler la garnison britannique isolée sur l'île Mackinac. Les Britanniques et leurs alliés autochtones parviennent ainsi à conserver leur position, et leur mainmise sur la

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région des lacs Huron et Supérieur et le territoire à l'ouest du lac Michigan. Après la guerre, cette voie sert au transport des fourrures et d'autres biens jusqu'à la venue du chemin de fer dans les années 1850.

Erected 2016 by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and Parks Canada/Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada et Parcs Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.

Location. 44° 23.708′ N, 79° 49.284′ W. Marker is in Minesing, Ontario, in Simcoe County. It can be reached from Grenfel Road 3.6 kilometers north of Sunnidale Road (County Road 40), on the left when traveling north. The marker is located on the Historic Fort Willow grounds at Fort Willow Conservation Area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2714 Grenfel Road, Minesing ON L0L 1Y3, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Ontario Cottage Country

and specifically in Georgian Bay Country.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Willow Creek Depot (here, next to this marker); The Royal Newfoundland Regiment (a few steps from this marker); Batteaux (a few steps from this marker); The Post War Years

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

2. Nine Mile Portage and Willow Depot Marker

Looking east along the 9 Mile Portage Heritage Trail; the Fort Willow Conservation Area parking lot is just out of sight in the background.

(a few steps from this marker); The War of 1812 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The War of 1812 (a few steps from this marker); Formed by Ice (a few steps from this marker); A Meeting Place (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minesing.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Historic Fort Willow

Also see . . .
1. National Historic Significance of Nine Mile Portage and Willow Depot.

Nine Mile Portage and Willow Depot were critical to the supply route for British troops during the War of 1812. Its creation at the half-way point between Kempenfelt Bay and the Nottawasaga River, was strategically placed to allow for a continuous trade and transportation route to be established between Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay.

• Willow Depot, today known as Fort Willow, is located on high ground about a mile from Willow Creek, was built as a storage and transhipment post for goods coming over the portage.
• During the War of 1812, Nine Mile Portage and Willow Depot were crucial in provisioning the British post at Fort Michilimackinac
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

3. Fort Willow Gate & Palisade
Looking west from the marker into Fort Willow.
after their supply line through Lake Erie and Detroit was cut in 1813.

(Submitted on October 31, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Fort Willow (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Fort Willow or Willow Depot was a fortified British supply depot in Upper Canada during the War of 1812. The depot was built near the strategically important Nine Mile Portage, a pre-existing portage route used by First Nations people, as well as by the French in conducting the fur trade. After archaeological research, the area of Fort Willow has been partially reconstructed. Restorations and archaeological investigations have located and outlined the former buildings used by the soldiers.

(Submitted on October 31, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Nine Mile Portage and Willow Depot National Historic Event.

Crucial in supplying the British post at Michilimackinac, in 1813, and allowed to maintain control of key territories in 1814.

(Submitted on October 31, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Historic Fort Willow Conservation Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

4. Historic Fort Willow Conservation Area

Turn west here from Grenfel Road to access Fort Willow.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 31, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Nine Mile Portage and Willow Depot⎯⎯⎯Portage Nine Mile et Dépôt Willow

Nine Mile Portage and Willow Depot
⎯⎯⎯
Portage Nine Mile et Dépôt Willow