Ridgeway in Fort Erie in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Invasion and Response
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025
1. Invasion and Response Marker
Fenian members spent many months scouting this area. Striking swiftly on June 1, 1866, they landed in Fort Erie with a force of about 1,200 - 1,500 men. They quickly burned a train bridge, disabled telegraph lines and established a bridgehead.
Citizen reports to authorities generated a fast Canadian Militia response with the Queen's Own Rifles, the York Rifles, the Caledonia Rifles, and the 13th Battalion arriving in Ridgeway. They were mobilized so quickly they had little time to pull together all the resources needed for success.
Fear of the impending invasion caused some families to flee with their livestock and valuables to the surrounding countryside. Those who remained to protect their homesteads found themselves pressed into supplying food and resources to both the Fenian Army and Canadian Militia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1866.
Location. 42° 54.262′ N, 79° 2.495′ W. Marker is in Fort Erie, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Ridgeway. It is on Garrison Road 0.3 kilometers east of Ridge Road North, on the left
this page online
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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: When the Word Fenian was Feared (here, next to this marker); A Day to Remember - June 2, 1866 (here, next to this marker); A Catalyst to Confederation (here, next to this marker); The Battle Of Ridgeway (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
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025
2. Invasion and Response Marker
Additional keywords. Fenian fenian Raids
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025
3. Ridgeway Battlefield National Historic Site
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on September 16, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 25, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
