Ridgeway in Fort Erie in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

When the Word Fenian was Feared

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025

1. When the Word Fenian was Feared Marker

Inscription. The Fenians were a militant group seeking an independent Ireland after centuries of struggles with Britain over political independence, religious rights and land ownership. Their tactic was armed revolution, which made the invasion of Fort Erie so alarming to local residents. Many Irish in America fundraised to support this cause, creating a U.S. branch of the Irish Republican Brotherhood called the Fenian Brotherhood. They planned to capture Canada and use this colony to barter with Britain for Ireland's independence. Many Fenian soldiers were battle-hardened Civil War veterans. They brought their strategically planned armed revolution here.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Wars, Non-US.

Location. 42° 54.261′ N, 79° 2.497′ W. Marker is in Fort Erie, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Ridgeway. It is on Garrison Road (Highway 3) 0.3 kilometers east of Ridge Road North, on the left when traveling east. The marker is on the grounds of the Ridgeway Battlefield National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at

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or near this postal address: 3408 Garrison Road, Fort Erie ON L0S 1N0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Invasion and Response (here, next to this marker); A Day to Remember - June 2, 1866 (here, next to this marker); The Battle Of Ridgeway (a few steps from this marker); A Catalyst to Confederation (a few steps from this marker); Battle of Ridgeway Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Ridgeway Battlefield / Le Champ de bataille de Ridgeway (within shouting distance of this marker); In the Line of Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); Buildings on the Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025

2. When the Word Fenian was Feared Marker

of all markers in Fort Erie.

When the Word Fenian was Feared marker photo and caption detail (left) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025

3. When the Word Fenian was Feared marker photo and caption detail (left)

When the Word Fenian was Feared marker photo and caption detail (centre top) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025

4. When the Word Fenian was Feared marker photo and caption detail (centre top)

“Great Fenian Scare”

When the Word Fenian was Feared marker and caption detail (centre bottom) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025

5. When the Word Fenian was Feared marker and caption detail (centre bottom)

Ridgeway Battlefield National Historic Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025

6. Ridgeway Battlefield National Historic Site

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 24, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.