Kingston, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Fort Frederick

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2014

1. Fort Frederick Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

English:
With the outbreak of the War of 1812, a blockhouse was quickly constructed on Point Frederick complementary to and earlier one built on Point Henry. Both provided protection for the Kingston dockyard which was the pivotal point of the Provincial Marine on Lake Ontario. Defences were strengthened throughout the war, with signifiant log-and-earth fortifications added on both sides. Guns within the original Point Frederick earthwork installation were used on 10 November, 1812, against American Commodore Isaac Chauncey’s naval squadron in his failed attempt to destroy both the dockyard and the largest British vessel there, the Royal George. In the decades after the war, Fort Frederick’s stone Martello Tower with its surrounding walls and earthworks were constructed on the original Point Frederick site. This was part of six similar installations built to strengthen Kingston’s defences, the dockyard, the Rideau Canal, and entrance to the St. Lawrence River from possible United States aggression in such crises as the Canadian rebellions of 1837 and later Oregon Boundary dispute. Fort Frederick was only abandoned

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in 1870. The name of both the Point and Fort is still debated as honoring either Frederick, Prince of Wales, the father of George III or Sir Frederick Haldimand, Governor of Canada in 1764. Today the Fort Frederick Martello tower houses the Royal Military College of Canada museum.

French:
Avec le déclenchement de la guerre de 1812, un blockhaus fut rapidement construit sur la pointe Frederick pour accompagner celui construit plus tôt sur la pointe Henry. Les deux offraient une protection pour le chantier naval de Kingston qui était le point central de la Marine provinciale sur la lac Ontario. Les defenses ont été renforcées tout au long de la guerre, avec d’importantes fortifications de terre et de billots ajoutées sur les deux sites. Les canons au sein de la fortification en terre originale de la pointe Frederick ont été utilisés le 10 novembre 1812, conte l’escadron naval du Commodore américain Isaac Chauncey lors de sa tentative avortée de détruire à la fois l’arsenal et le plus grand navire britannique qui y était, le Royal George. Dans les décennies après la guerre, la tour Martello en pierre du fort Frederick, avec ses murs

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2014

2. Fort Frederick Marker

et terrassements environnants ont été construits sur le site original de la point Frederick, Cela faisait partie des six installations similaires érigées pour renforces les défenses de Kingston, du chantier naval, du canal Rideau, et de l’entrée du fleuve St-Laurent contre d’éventuelles agressions par les États-Unis dans des crises comme les rébellions canadiennes de 1837 et, plus tard, le conflit de la frontière de l’Oregon. Le fort Frederick n’a été abandonné qu’en 1870. Le nom de la pointe et du fort est encore l’objet de débats, à savoir si le nom honore soit Frederick, le Prince de Galles, père du George III, ou Sir Frederick Halimand, Gouverneur du Canada en 1764. Aujourd’hui la tour Martello de fort Frederick abrite les Musée du Collège militaire royal du Canada.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War of 1812. A significant historical date for this entry is November 10, 1812.

Location. 44° 13.651′ N, 76° 28.164′ W. Marker is in Kingston, Ontario. It can be reached from Passchendale Drive. Fort Frederick is on the Royal Military College of Canada grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this

Another 1846 Martello tower built across the bay at Point Henry image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2014

3. Another 1846 Martello tower built across the bay at Point Henry

post office area: Kingston ON K7K 7B4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario

and specifically in Southeastern Ontario.

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: Point Frederick (within shouting distance of this marker); Commodore’s Residence, 1815 (within shouting distance of this marker); Point Frederick Artillery Battery (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Strategic Importance / Importance Stratégique (about 240 meters away); The Stone Frigate (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Kingston Navy Yard (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Sir James Lucas Yeo (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Point Frederick Buildings (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kingston.

More about this marker.

<i>Fort Frederick, Kingston, Ont., Canada</i> image. Click for full size.

Postcard by the Valentine-Souvenir Co., circa 1908

4. Fort Frederick, Kingston, Ont., Canada

View north past the Martello Tower, with the Royal Military College in the background.

Kingston is independent from the surrounding Frontenac County.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 578 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 23, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on May 23, 2015. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.