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Old
Fort Erie Ontario
Attractions and Things to do. Old Fort Erie Tours, historic sites and more
Fort Erie, Ontario is the historic town located in the southwestern part of Niagara Peninsula, where Lake Erie enters the Niagara River, and at the southern end of the Niagara Parkway.
Things to do at Fort Erie Ontario
As the border town, this place is an America's port of entry to Canada, from Buffalo via Peace Bridge. If you are looking east, and across the Niagara River, you'll see a city of Buffalo. During the summer, you can find many Americans crossing the border and visiting this part of Canada to enjoy beautiful beaches on Lake Erie.
Fort Erie is an old town that features rich heritage, tradition and history, but at the same time has all the elements for urban living, with a number of festivals, beautiful beaches and interesting attractions:
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Old Fort
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Underground Railroad - the main route used by fugitive slaves escaping to Canada from US.
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Mildred M. Mahoney Doll's House Gallery features an amazing collection of dollhouses and the underground tunnel, used to cross the border and Niagara River.
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The Railway Museum with the railroad exhibits and a library.
- Antique Firefighting Museum.
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The Ridgeway Battlefield Site, situated on Highway 3, east of Ridge Road.
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Historical Museum situated at 402 Ridge Road, Ridgeway.
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Garrison Little Theatre, located at the Italian-Canadian Hall at 1101 Dipietro Street.
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Gypsy Theatre, located at 465 Central Avenue.
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The Friendship Festival is the main summer attraction, during the Canadian and American national holidays from July 1-4.
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Leisureplex, designed for tournaments, concerts, sport activities, sporting events, trade shows and conventions.
- Crystal Beach offers white sand beach, antique and specialty stores, fine and casual dining, lakefront nightlife, convenience markets.
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Race Track with the live racing, simulcast racing, held on weekdays from May to August. The race track is home to the Prince of Wales Stakes.
- Dining at Happy Jack’s or Bridgewater Restaurant.
Old Fort Erie
Old Fort Erie was built in 1764 by British, as
the strategic site
located at the head of the Niagara River; to protect from the Native
attacks and American invasion. The existing historic fort is the third one built, and is the reconstruction of the fort seized by the Americans in July 1814, besieged later by the British army and blown up when Americans retreated toward Buffalo, across the river.
The fort was restored in 1937, thanks to the provincial and federal government and Niagara Parks Commission.
When visiting the fort you will see the most amazing architecture:
- The wooden bridge over the ditch.
- Large wooden double doors that represents the Outer Gate.
- The Ravelin, designed to protect the gates from the artillery fire.
- The Curtain Wall, a three foot thick stone wall that connects two barrack buildings and has an access from the outside through the Sally ports.
One of the most amazing facts about historic Old Fort Erie is that this area was the Canada's bloodiest field of battle, where over 3000 troops killed and wounded during the Siege of Fort, in 1814.
How important the fort and its position was, tells us the famous names who were visiting the site in its history; General Brock, Pontiac, Prince Edward who became Kind Edward VII, Mark Twain...
Old Fort Erie Tour
This historic attraction is open daily from 10am to 6pm, from the early May to mid-September. To enter the attraction, there is a fee you have to pay, while for kids under 5 is free. Check the official website for updates and the latest info, here.
Re-enactments
of the siege takes place during the
summer, where costumed guards fire the cannons, demonstrate the drill
and musket practice.Also, every year during the second weekend of August, hundreds of historical re-enactment enthusiasts will reenact the siege of Fort Erie.
When visiting this attraction, there are several sites or rooms important in fort's history, we recommend you to see, so you will have a better understanding how soldiers used to live, work and fight.
By visiting The Guard Room you will see where the soldiers on Guard Duty were located, what was the equipment they were using and carrying and uniform they were wearing.
Next on your tour will be The Soldiers' Barracks and storehouse, where men of the garrison, their wives and children were situated.
Well furnished, sometimes portable furniture and comfortable room were available only for officers at The Officers' Quarters.
The Powder Magazines, three of them in today's Fort Erie, used to be a building for storage and preparation of Gun Powder. You might notice that door, tools and preparation material were made of brass or copper to avoid accidents when handling with the gun powder.
The Fire Pits and the Officers' Kitchen were used to prepare food, either by soldiers for their own cooking or paid cooks for officers.
Old fort and battlefield is situated on the southern edge of the town which is farther south from the original location. The original fort was destroyed due to extreme weather conditions.
Directions to the Old Fort Erie:
The fort is located in the town of Fort Erie, approximately 30 km or 19 miles south of Niagara Falls, at the end of the Niagara Parkway.
Address:
350 Lakeshore Rd. Ontario, Canada
Ph: (905) 871-0540
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