Tony Chisholm
Special to The Lake Report
After the War of 1812, Fort Mississauga was garrisoned on a limited and sporadic basis. During the Upper Canada Rebellions in the 1830s, Fort Mississauga underwent major restoration, including work to the tower, the addition of a ravelin and a splinter proof barracks for 150 men.
The interior of the tower was renovated to include a powder magazine, commissariat stores and sleeping quarters for 50 men. Throughout the 1840s, until 1850, the fort was garrisoned by a company of the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment, and a detachment of Royal artillery, that oversaw the large number of artillery pieces on site.
By 1858, Fort Mississauga had been officially abandoned by the British Army and turned over to the Canadian government. Volunteer Canadian militia companies reoccupied the fort during heightened periods of tension including the American Civil War. The fort once again fell into ruins.
In 1905, a permanent golf course was laid out around Fort Mississauga, with a green located inside the earthworks.
During the First World War, Fort Mississauga was part of Camp Niagara’s training grounds, and once again underwent restoration work, including putting up new gates, fixing the roof, and building a breakwater.
After the First World War, Fort Mississauga once again fell silent. In 1969, Parks Canada was given custodianship of the site, and over the last decade have overseen extensive restoration work at the site.
New this year: Fort Mississauga National Historic Site will be open on weekends from May 16 to June 28, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 pm each Saturday and Sunday. Join Friends of Fort George staff on-site and explore this historic gem with us.
Our interpreters will be on-site within the grounds of Fort Mississauga with replica artifacts, children’s activities and a small gift shop display. Join us and learn about the history of the site, access the interior of the tower, and take part in our historic tours. Our in-depth tours will take place at 11 a.m.; 1 p.m.; and 3 p.m., each day, and will include a visit to the Sally Port with our staff.
Visiting the site is free of charge, but accessing the interior of the site, or going on a tour costs $5/person.
For more information, contact the Friends of Fort George at 905-468-6621 or email admin@friendsoffortgeorge.ca. All proceeds from this initiative will help to support student employment opportunities at Fort George and Brock’s Monument.
The Friends of Fort George is a non-profit, Charitable organization that works with Parks Canada for the protection, preservation, interpretation of Niagara’s National Historic Sites. For more information or to become a member, visit our website at friendsoffortgeorge.ca.
