Ridgeway in Fort Erie in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
A Day to Remember - June 2, 1866
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025
1. A Day to Remember - June 2, 1866 Marker
Leaving the train in the village of Ridgeway, the Canadian Militia marched up Ridge Road, heading to Stevensville.
The Fenian Army was ready and waiting and drew the Canadians deep into their snare. The Fenians proved themselves a strong and well-prepared force.
Miscommunication and lack of training created challenges for the volunteer Canadian Militia. A retreat was ordered when confusion arose on the battlefield. There were losses on both sides, with many soldiers wounded or killed.
The Fenian Army, realizing they had won, returned to Fort Erie to await reinforcements and replenish supplies. Later that evening the Fenian Army withdrew to Buffalo; while crossing the Niagara River they were arrested by the U.S. Navy, thus ending the invasion.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Wars, Non-US. A significant historical date for this entry is June 2, 1866.
Location. 42° 54.263′ N, 79° 2.493′ 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
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: Invasion and Response (here, next to this marker); A Catalyst to Confederation (here, next to this marker); When the Word Fenian was Feared (here, next to this marker); The Battle Of Ridgeway (a few steps from this marker); In the Line of Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); Buildings on the Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Ridgeway Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Ridgeway Battlefield / Le Champ de bataille de Ridgeway
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025
2. A Day to Remember - June 2, 1866 Marker
Also see . . . Fenian Raid 1866 (The Queens Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum).
Local inhabitants had warned Col Booker that the Fenians were near but he dismissed the reports because his intelligence told him that the enemy was camped at the Black Creek the night before. Indeed, on the evening of 1 June the Fenians had been camped at Black Creek, but when they learned that Peacocks force was already in Chippewa, they decided to move against Bookers weaker column. The Canadians had conveniently divided their forces so Colonel ONeil chose to defeat them in parts rather than allow them to unite into a stronger body. To this end, the Fenians broke camp at 03:00 hrs on the morning of 2 June and marched south along Ridge road. When they heard the train whistle and bugle calls coming from Ridgeway they prepared a hasty defense.(Submitted on April 25, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
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 116 times since then and 14 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.
