Lewiston in Niagara County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Demler

The British fortify the Portage route

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

1. Fort Demler Marker

Inscription. The British gained control of the region in 1759 and, in 1762, constructed a small post, Fort Demler, to protect the landing area. Initially garrisoned by a platoon of eight soldiers, the fort consisted of a small, two-room guardhouse and a 54' by 22' log storehouse all enclosed by a timber stockade and a shallow ditch. The garrison guarded the Landing and helped build the Cradles, which were used to help transport goods up the Portage. In 1763, the fort was attacked by Indian warriors intent upon disrupting the british supply lines. The Indians managed to kill half of the garrison before troops from Fort Niagara could come to its aid. The fort was finally destroyed by fire in 1767.

Fort Demler was one of several forts, including Fort Denonville, Fort Conti, and Fort Niagara, constructed by the French and the British to protect the Portage between the Lower and Upper Landings.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1759.

Location. 43° 9.942′ N, 79° 2.788′ W.

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Marker is in Lewiston, New York, in Niagara County. It can be reached from South 4th Street south of Tuscarora Street. This historical marker is located on the grounds of the Earl W. Brydges Artpark. To get to this historic marker one must take South 4th Street south all the way to where the road ends, at the entrance to the Earl W. Brydges Artpark. The historic marker is on the grounds of the artpark, on a section of land just southwest of the first large parking area, near the Niagara River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lewiston NY 14092, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

and in the Buffalo Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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 the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least

Fort Demler Marker - New image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, May 30, 2016

2. Fort Demler Marker - New

Same text, same location as the prior marker.

8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Niagara Gorge R.R. (a few steps from this marker); The Gully and Portage Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Lower Landing Archeological District (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Bridge Ruins (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lower Landing (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cradles (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Magazin Royale (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewiston.

Also see . . . The British Settlement in Niagara. This is a link to information provided by the Niagara Falls Info website. (Submitted on June 27, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

3. Fort Demler Marker

A close-up view of the text displayed on the historical marker.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

4. Fort Demler Marker

Close-up view of the illustration of Fort Demler that is displayed on the historical marker.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

5. Fort Demler Marker

A close-up view of the illustration of the map that is displayed on the historical marker.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

6. Fort Demler Marker

View of the historical marker in the foreground, and in the background, just beyond the tree line to the left of the historical marker, is the Niagara River.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

7. Fort Demler Marker

The small square outline, seen on the surface of the ground, just behind the historical marker, is the archaeological site of Fort Demler.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

8. Fort Demler Marker

The small, roped off, mound, to the left of the historical marker, is apparently a protected archaeological site.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012

9. Fort Demler Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,200 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 27, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 2. submitted on May 30, 2016, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 27, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.