amherstburg war of 1812 bicentennial strategic plan

AMHERSTBURG
WAR OF 1812
BICENTENNIAL
STRATEGIC PLAN
SUBMITTED BY: ANNE ROTA
MANAGER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE
02, 2011
Town of Amherstburg 1812 Bi Centennial Events
“May Lasting Peace Prevail!”
September 2010 & Ongoing
Kings Navy Yard Park International Peace Garden Dedication - Amherstburg
The King’s Navy Yard Park’s 10.5 acres is a footprint of the prior Navy Yard dating 1796.
This site was responsible for the construction of several Provincial War Ships that fought
in the War of 1812. Significant water crafts built include: the Camden, General Hope,
General Hunter, Francis, Maria, Queen Charlotte, Lady Prevost, Detroit, Eliza and the
General Myers. The riverfront property was also used for rope making in which at times
the sailors would span the entire Town for stretching and producing the rope, often
referring to the process as the sympathetic “rope walk”!
Modeled on the International Peace Garden concept that originated in Canada in 1990,
the Peace Garden is designed to attract international visitors as well as residents of the
bi national region to experience and enjoy the natural beauty that a garden provides
while commemorating the peace that has existed between Canada and the United
States over the past 200 years. We honor the friendship between the two countries
having shared the longest undefended border since the War of 1812. Today, the King
Navy Yard Park boasts hundreds of indigenous and native plants, a lovely fountain and
soon, a bronze legacy monument honoring the Provincial Marine set along the Detroit
River at the mouth of Lake Erie. Many Bi Centennial events will be presented at the
Park.
www.amherstburg.ca
519 730-1309
March 26, 2011
Roots to Boots Genealogy Seminar
Think you may have an ancestor who fought in the War of 1812? Well this seminar may
help you prove it. The Essex County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society is
hosting a meeting at Wesley United Church, 365 Sandwich Street South, Amherstburg,
Ontario on Saturday March 26, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. The cost is FREE.
We will discuss how to search for your family history through Birth, Marriage and Death
records as well as Census records; where to find specific records related to the War of
1812 and how to participate in our War of 1812 project.
Pre-registration is required by Wednesday March 23rd, by emailing us at
essex@ogs.on.ca or phoning us at 519-736-7737 and ask for Debra Honor.
June 6, 7, 8 2011
Charging Ahead ~ Multi National Trade Conference
Winning Strategies for a Successful Bi Centennial
Amherstburg & Windsor
June 6, Reception at Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada
June 7, 8 Conference & Marketplace at Holiday Inn Select; Huron Church Rd. Windsor
Guest speakers, Workshops, Dine ~ Around the City
519 730-1309
September 17, 2011
Doors Open Amherstburg – Bi Centennial Kick off & Period Homes Showcase
Various historic locations throughout Amherstburg
View several of Amherstburg’s amazing properties and heritage buildings that
were present during the War of 1812 or have links to residents who lived in
Amherstburg during the War of 1812. Free public access, 10am to 4pm. For
more information 519-736-2511 or curator@parkhousemuseum.com. For
Provincial Doors Open sites, please visit www.doorsopenontario.ca
July 1, 2012
Canada Day Celebrations at Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada
Our Culture, Our People! Amherstburg
Commemorating the 200 years of courage, sacrifice and valiant service between our
Nations. Aboriginal, Canadian, American and British War of 1812 actions resulted in the
independent Canada and the peace that we know today. Re enactments, Aboriginal Pow
Wow, Children’s Bi Centennial Activity Center, Live Entertainment, Family Food Court
and Spectacular Fireworks along the Detroit River! www.amherstburg.ca
519 730-1309
1812 SIGNATURE EVENT!
August 3, 4, 5 2012
Making our history relevant and fun!
Roots to Boots Festival ~ 1812 Alive Signature Event
Fort Malden NHSC and Downtown Amherstburg
Step back in time as Amherstburg transforms into an 1812 setting with a modern twist!
Military Heritage Days, Genealogy & Ancestry, Family Picnics, Period costumed
re enactors on every corner! Catch a glimpse of Chief Tecumseh, General Brock or a
one of the gallant women who cooked up a storm for the soldiers on an open hearth.
Your 1812 weekend comes to life! Wear your period dress to all the events.
Friday, August 3
Opening ceremonies – Celebrity Guest speaker
Open Air Tent Period Dinner & Tavern, Live Entertainment
Antiques Road Show & Sale
Multi National Fireworks along the Detroit River
Saturday, August 4
International Bi Centennial Parade downtown
Military Heritage Days at Fort Malden NHSC
International Tug of “Friendly” War ~ Canada vs.U.S.
Fashion “through the times” Show
Antiques Road Show
Trace your “Roots to Boots” and receive your authentic
1812 descendant’s certificate at the Genealogical Pavilion
Re enactments & Live Theater Pavilion
Children’s Bi Centennial Activity Pavilion
Aboriginal Pow Wow and Demonstrations
Canadiana Premier Concert at Dusk! Artist TBA
Sunday, August 5
Open Air Non Denominational Mass Service
All Canadian Breakfast serving Peameal Bacon,
Pancakes and “Real” Maple Syrup in the Park!
5 km Bicentennial Marathon
Antiques Road Show & Sale
Annual Car Show - downtown
Family Picnic Spaces Available – Call for weekend availability at various locations
August 4, 2012
Unveiling of the Provincial Marine Monument Ceremony
Kings Navy Yard Park
To honor the 123 American and British 135 dead and wounded in the 1813 Battle of
Lake Erie, a life-sized bronze monument of a naval gun crew in action will be unveiled in
the legendary King’s Navy Yard Park. The slight grade up to the cannon/figures group,
will permit onlookers to move right in among these fighting men in the midst of that
terrible Battle for control of these border territories and whose outcome realized the
longest undefended border since the War of 1812.
www.amherstburg.ca
August 25, 2012
Capture of the Cayahooga Re enactment ~ Provincial Marine
The capture of an American military transport schooner by a British boat crew opposite
Amherstburg very early in the War of 1812, was pivotal in helping to secure British
control of the area for the first half of the War. A demonstration of this action by a
historical replica crew, boat and tall ship, including the first shot of the War in this region,
will be re-enacted again on the Amherstburg waterfront. River Canard
www.amherstburg.ca
September 6,7,8,9 2012
Shores of Erie International Wine Festival & Windsor Symphony Orchestra
Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada
This years Wine Festival will be spectacular and relevant! Toast to the tastes with wine
from the Lake Erie North Shore region of Ontario paired with local foods and culinary
exhibits. On the beautiful waterfront property of one of Canada’s most important historic
sites, this year’s festival will feature The Windsor Symphony Orchestra with an
outstanding performance; Tchaicovsky - 1812 Overture with full orchestra and
simulated fireworks finale! www.soewinefestival.com
Other Pending Events
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Special Margaret Reynolds exhibit at the Gibson Art Gallery
Native Encampment Re enactment on Boblo Island
Tall Ships in the Great Lakes
U.S. Navy Presence at the Coast Guard
Canadian Navy Presence at the Coast Guard
International Student Art Fair – partnership with Perry’s Monument
National Park Services
University of Windsor Student exchange program with Fort Malden
Areas of note for the Western Frontier
1812
June 18
US Declaration of War against Great Britain
July 5
Bombardment of Sandwich, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
Guns from Detroit and batteries along the river open a general barrage on Sandwich
July 12
US General Hull invades Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
Hull crosses in the area of the current Hiram Walker offices and marches along the river
toward Sandwich Town. The small British force and Essex militia retreat across River
Canard.
July 16
Skirmish at Canard River, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
The first engagement in the area results in the first British casualties of the war. Privates
Hancock and Dean heroically defend the Canard bridge but are wounded and captured.
Hancock dies later the same day. The American advance is stopped by a British gun boat,
the HMS Charlotte.
July 17
Capture of Fort Mackinac/Michilimackinac (Michigan, US)
August 5
Battle of Brownstown (Michigan, US)
Small skirmish on American supply lines by natives and militia launched from Canada.
August 9
Battle of Maguaga (Michigan, US)
Small skirmish on American supply lines by natives and militia launched from Canada. Hull
becomes nervous about his exposed supply lines and retreats back to Fort Detroit. Brock
arrives at Fort Amherst with a force of 300 Royal Newfoundland Regiment soldiers, 400
militia and 800 natives. He meets Tecumseh and they become great allies.
August 16
Capture of Fort Detroit (Michigan, US)
Brock and Tecumseh capture Fort Detroit.
November 22
Skirmish at Maumee River (Ohio, US)
Natives and militia attack a US supply line.
1813
January 18
Battle of Frenchtown/River Raisin, (Michigan, US)
The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, 41st Regiment of Foot, militia and natives defeat an
army of 1000 American soldiers. The Kentucky militia are massacred by the natives after the
British leave the next day.
April 28 - May 9
Siege of Fort Meigs (Ohio, US)
General Proctor lays siege to Fort Meigs in Toledo, Ohio. The siege is not successful.
May 5
Battle of Fort Meigs (Ohio, US)
- A force of Light Infantry and several hundred natives attacks a relief column coming to aid
Fort Meigs. The column is almost completely wiped out.
May 5, Fort Miami (Ohio, US)
- Natives attack Fort Miami
May 15, Raid of Mink River (Illinois, US)
May 25 - 27, Capture of Fort George, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
May 29, Battle of Sackets Harbor, (New York, US)
June 1, HMS Shannon vs USS Chesapeake (Atlantic, off coast of Massachusetts)
June 3, USS Growler and USS Eagle captured (Richelieu River, Quebec, CAN)
June 6, Battle of Stoney Creek, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
June 8, Battle of Forty Mile Creek, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
June 22, Battle of Craney Island, (Virginia, US)
June 24, Battle of Beaver Dams, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
June 26, Hampton, (Viginia, US)
July 5, Raid on Fort Schlosser (New York, US)
July 8, Fort George, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
July 11, Raid of Black Rock (New York, US)
July 20, Battle of Cranberry Creek/Goose Creek (New York, US)
July 21- 28 Second Siege of Fort Meigs, (Ohio, NY)
- Proctor again lays siege to Fort Meigs. Again they are unsuccessful.
July 27, Battle of Burnt Corn (Alabama, US)
July 29, Plattsburg (New York, US)
July 29, Burlington Beach, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
July 31, Raid of York , Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
August 2, Battle of Fort Stephenson (Ohio, US)
- Proctor assaults the fort but is repelled with horrendous losses. This ends the invasions in
the North western territories.
August 7 -10 US fleet vs. British fleet, Lake Ontario
August 8, USS Hamilton and USS Scourge sunk in Storm Lake Ontario
August 10, Raid of St Michaels (Maryland, US)
August 10, USS Julia and USS Prowler captured (Lake Ontario)
August 13, Raid of Queenstown/Slippery Hill/Hall's Landing/Blakeford Shore (Maryland, US)
August 14, HMS Pelican vs. USS Argus (Irish Sea, off coast of Wales)
August 24, Fort George, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
August 30, Battle of Fort Mims (Alabama, US)
September 5, USS Enterprise vs. HMS Boxer (Atlantic, off coast of Maine)
September 6, Skirmish at Ball's Farm, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
September 10, Battle of Lake Erie/ Put-in-Bay (Ohio, US)
- The British fleet is defeated on Lake Erie. General Proctor finds his position untenable and
on September 27th with an impending invasion by the Americans Proctor orders Fort
Amherst and all of the stores that could not be moved burned. He retreats from the area
along the Detroit river and then inland.
September 20, Skirmish at Odeltown, Lower Canada (Quebec, CAN)
September 28, Burlington Races, Lake Ontario Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
October 1, near Chateauguay, Lower Canada (Quebec, CAN)
October 4, Battle of McGregor's Creek/Mills/Chatham/
the Forks of the Thames, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
- A small skirmish is fought at the mill by Canadian militia and the advanced guard of the
invading US army.
October 5, Battle of the Thames/Moraviantown/Thamesville, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
- The 41st Regiment of Foot is defeated and either flees or is captured. Tecumseh is killed.
October 12, Massequoi Village, Lower Canada (Quebec, CAN)
October 26, Battle of Chateauguay, Lower Canada (Qubec, CAN)
November 1-2, Battle of French Creek (New York, US)
November 3 Battle of Tallushatchee (Alabama, US)
November 9, Battle of Talladega (Alabama, US)
November 11, Battle of Crysler's Farm/Williamsburgh, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
November 29, Battle of Autosse/Tallahassee (Alabama, US)
December 10, Burning of Niagara, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
December 19, The Capture of Fort Niagara, (New York, US)
December 19, Burning of Lewiston (New York, US)
December 23, Battle of Eccanachaca, (The Holy Ground) (Alabama, US)
December 25, HMS Belvidera vs. USS Vixen II (North Atlantic)
December 29 - 30, Lewiston, Fort Schlosser (New York, US)
December 31, Burning of Buffalo & Blackrock (New York, US)
1814
January 22, Emuckfau Creek (Alambma, US)
January 24, Battle of Enotachopco Creek (Alabama, US)
January 27, Calabee Creek (Alabama, US)
February 14, USS Constitution vs. HMS Pictou
March 4, Longwood/Long Woods/Battle Hill, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
- A large patrol in force of British regulars, militia and naives “bump” into a large patrol in
force of American regulars. The battle is essentially a stalemate with the arrival of nightfall
ending the skirmish. The Americans claim victory due to shear number of casualties
inflicted. Both sides retreat.
March 27, Battle of Horseshoe Bend/Sehopiska (Alabama, US)
March 28, HMS Phobe & Cherub vs. USS Essex & Essex Junior (Pasific, off coast of Chile)
March 30, Second Battle of La Colle Mill, Lower Canada (Quebec, CAN)
April 20, HMS Orpheus vs. USS Frolic (Caribbean)
April 29, USS Peacock vs. HMS Epervier (Caribbean)
May 5-6, Attack on Fort Ontario/Oswego, (New York, US)
May 14, Raid on Port Dover/Long Point/Campbell's Raid, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
May 30, Battle of Sandy Creek/Oswego Falls (New York, US)
June 1, Battle of Cedar Point/St. Jerome'sPoint (Maryland, US)
June 22, HMS Leander vs. USS Rattlesnake (North Atlantic)
June 26, Second Battle of St. Leonard's Creek (Maryland, US)
June 28, USS Wasp vs. HMS Reindeer, (North Atlantic)
June 28, Skirmish at Odelltown, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
July 3, Capture of Fort Erie, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
July 5, Battle of Chippawa, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
July 11, Fort Sullivan, (Maine, US)
July 12, HMS Medway vs. USS Syren (off coast of South Africa)
July 18, Burning of St Davids, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
July 18-19, Raid of Champlain Village, (New York, US)
July 20, Siege of Prairie du Chien, (Wisconsin, US)
July 21, Battle of Rock River, (Illinois, US)
July 18, Burning of St David's, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
July 25, Battle of Lundy's Lane, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
July 26, Mackinac (Michigan, US)
August 1 - September 19, Siege of Fort Erie, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
August 3, Battle of Conjocta Creek/Black Rock (New York, US)
August 4, Attack on Mackinac/Michilimackinac Island, (Michigan, US)
August 9 -12, Battle of Stonington, (Connecticut, US)
August 11, Attack on St Micheals, (Maryland, US)
August 12, USS Somers & USS Ohio captured (Lake Erie/Niagara River)
August 14, HMS Nancy destroyed (Lake Huron)
August 15, Battle of Fort Erie, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
August 24, Battle of Bladensburg, (Maryland, US)
August 25, Burning of Washington, (DC, US)
September 1, USS Wasp vs. HMS Avon (North Atlantic)
September 4, Battle of Rock Island, (Illinois, US)
September 6-11, Battle of Plattsburgh, (New York, US)
September 12, Skirmish at North Point, (Maryland, US)
September 13, Bombardment of Fort McHenry, (Maryland, US)
September 15, Battle of Fort Bowyer/Mobile Bay, (Alabama, US)
September 17, US sortie from Fort Erie, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
October 15, Skirmish at Chippawa, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
October 19, Battle of Cook's Mills/Lyons Creek, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
November 6, Battle of Malcolm's Mills, Upper Canada (Ontario, CAN)
November 7, Occupation of Pensacola, (Florida, US)
December 6, Battle of Farnham Church (Virginia, US)
December 14, Battle of Lake Borgne, (Louisiana, US)
December 23, Battle of Villere's Plantation, (Louisiana, US)
December 24, Treaty of Ghent, Belgium ending the War of 1812
1815
January 1, Battle of Rodriques Canal, (Louisiana, US)
January 8-9, Battle of New Orleans, (Louisiana, US)
January 9-18, Battle of Fort St. Philip, (Louisiana, US)
February 11, Siege of Fort Bowyer, (Alabama, US)
February 16, President Madison ratifies Treaty of Ghent, War of 1812 officially ends.
February 20, US Frigate Constitution vs HMS Cayne & Levant, (off coast of North Africa)
February 24, Battle of St. Mary's River (Georgia,US)
May 24, Battle of Sinkhole/Fort Howard (Missouri, US)
June 30, USS Peacock vs East India crusier Nautilus, last battle of the War of 1812 (Indian Ocean)
The United States declared war on Britain on June 19, 1812 and word reached Fort
Amherstburg several days later. With this information the Commander of the fort,
Lieutenant-Colonel St. George, scored one of the first British successes of the war. On July
2, 1812 the American schooner Cuyahoga sailed up the Detroit River loaded with
supplies, a military band and numerous sick troops belonging to Brigadier-General
William Hull's North-Western Army. The occupants of the vessel were unaware of
Washington's declaration of war. As the Cuyahoga passed the fort a mixed force of
soldiers, sailors and natives lead by Lieutenant Frederick Rolette of the Provincial Marine
rowed out and forced the schooner to heave to. The startled Americans put up little
resistance.6 Of vital interest to the British was the discovery of Hull's papers outlining
scenarios for a campaign against Fort Amherstburg.7
To oppose Hull's 2500 strong army St. George had about 300 regulars of the 41st and
Royal Newfoundland Regiments stationed at Fort Amherstburg and the support of
approximately 850 local militia and 400 Native Allies.8 On paper the Militia was quite
numerous, but it was largely untrained, unequipped and unarmed. Essex County supplied
most of the militia, though counties farther east, such as Kent, contributed men for the
defence of Fort Amherstburg. The best Essex militiamen were grouped into two "flank
companies" (approximately 40-60 soldiers in each company) which had some training and
arms, and were perhaps better motivated. The Native Allies numbers varied greatly from
engagement to engagement, but their skill in guerrilla warfare was to be a great equalizer
against the Americans.
On July 12, 1812 Hull invaded Upper Canada crossing the river between Detroit and
Sandwich, about 35 kilometres above Fort Amherstburg. The Essex Militia stationed in
Sandwich scattered allowing the Americans to firmly establish themselves on Canadian
soil. The opposing forces first clashed south of Sandwich at the bridge over the River
Canard on July 16, 1812. Here the Americans threw the British back from the last natural
obstacle before Amherstburg. Hull did not fully exploit this victory. He was concerned
with his supply situation and the lack of serviceable heavy artillery to batter Fort
Amherstburg.9 When Provincial Marine vessels anchored near the mouth of the River
Canard further hindering the advance on Amherstburg, Hull let the initiative slip from his
grasp.
The British at this point could not hope to directly force the Americans off Canadian
soil. Instead, with great success, their military effort was directed against Hull's supply
lines. Groups of British regulars, Canadian Militia and Native Allies sortied from Fort
Amherstburg threatening the American lines of communication on the west bank of the
Detroit River. At the battles of Brownstown, August 5, 1812 and Monguagon, August 9,
1812, the British attempted to sever Hull's supply route to Ohio. On July 26 Hull learned of
the fall of the American fort at Michilimackinac, located in northern Michigan. He now
greatly feared British and Native attacks from that direction cutting off his army from its
base of operations at Detroit.10 On August 8, 1812 Hull abandoned Sandwich and
evacuated his troops back to Detroit.
The initiative was now firmly with the British. On August 13, 1812 Major General
Isaac Brock, acting Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada and Commander-in-Chief of
forces in Upper Canada docked at Amherstburg with reinforcements of the 41st Regiment
and the Canadian Militia. His arrival gave heart to the Essex militia which returned to the
colours in increasing numbers. It was at Fort Amherstburg that Brock met the Great
Shawnee war chief Tecumseh and it was here that they formed their plan of attack on
Detroit. By August 15 the British re-occupied Sandwich and began shelling Detroit. On
August 16 the allies crossed the river. The British and Militia formed to the south-west of
Detroit and Tecumseh's Native Warriors deployed in woods west and north of the town.
The total allied strength was approximately 1500 - 2000, close to the strength of Hull's
remaining forces.11 Before a certainly bloody assault could begin the thoroughly
demoralized Hull surrendered.
The capitulation of Hull's army at Detroit was a boon to the British. The numerous
cannons, muskets and supplies stored in the town were used to equip and feed the
Canadian Militia and the Native Allies. The elimination of a major American army
lessened the immediate threat to Fort Amherstburg and south west Upper Canada. It also
meant the occupation of Michigan territory by the British and Canadians. Secure on this
flank, Brock now shifted forces away from the Detroit River region to the next pressing
theatre of operations, the Niagara Peninsula.
With the departure of Brock command of the troops at Fort Amherstburg devolved
upon Colonel Henry Procter, a career officer of the 41st Regiment. Procter's dilemma was
this: how does one hold on to Detroit, Michigan territory and southwest Upper Canada
with very limited forces? His answer was a defensive strategy coupled with limited
offensive actions to disrupt the build up of new American armies.
Though humbled at Detroit the Americans were not easily discouraged. They formed a
second North-Western Army under William Henry Harrison, Governor of Indiana
Territory and future President of the United States. He planned a winter campaign to
recapture the lost territory and to attack the British installations at Amherstburg. Harrison
hoped the frozen Detroit River would immobilize the vessels of the Provincial Marine and
that the ice in the river could be a bridge for his army of 4000.12 Harrison's force began its
advance late in the year and the first major clash with Procter came early in 1813.
The Battle of Frenchtown, January 22, 1813, was the first test of Procter's defensive
strategy. The leading elements of Harrison's army, approximately 1000 troops under
General James Winchester pushed north along the west side of Lake Erie.13 Canadian
militia and Natives driven out of Frenchtown by Winchester’s troops sent warning of the
American approach and Procter quickly dispatched all available forces for a counter-attack.
His troops included about 500 regulars and militia and approximately 400-500 Native
Allies under the command of Wyandotte Chief Roundhead.14 The ensuing battle was hard
fought with heavy casualties on both sides. Procter's troops prevailed and most of
Winchester's men were either killed or captured. The British victory was marred when the
following day numerous American wounded and prisoners were killed by Native Warriors.
The victory at Frenchtown ensured the safety of Fort Amherstburg until the Spring of
1813. By April Harrison had reorganized an army of 2000 at Fort Meigs in northern Ohio.15
Once again Procter set out from Amherstburg to disrupt this concentration. He sailed
across the recently thawed Lake Erie with approximately 2000 regulars, militia and Native
Allies and began a siege of the American fort.16 From the end of April to early May the
bombardment of the Americans continued. However, Fort Meigs could not be taken. A
relieving American force, while eventually defeated, disrupted the siege. Some of the
Natives left after the defeat of the American relieving force, believing that they had
achieved a victory. Also, the Canadian Militia, which contained a large number of farmers,
clamoured to return to Essex County for Spring planting.17 Procter, faced with these
circumstances reluctantly ended the operation and returned to Amherstburg.
During the Summer of 1813 Procter made his last efforts to stop the American buildup. Leaving the militia to guard Fort Amherstburg, Procter's regulars and Native Warriors
attacked Fort Meigs from July 26-28 and Fort Stephenson, a few miles from Meigs, on
August 2. Both attempts were futile resulting in costly losses to the British Regulars. There
were no further allied efforts south of Lake Erie.
A new threat to Fort Amherstburg developed during 1813. Through the winter and
spring the Americans constructed a fleet at Presqu'ile, Pennsylvania and by August this
fleet was ready for action. Oliver Hazard Perry, the commander of the American squadron,
used his vessels to cut the British supply route across Lake Erie. By September the
Commissariat at Amherstburg was empty. Starvation threatened the garrison and the
numerous Native Allies encamped around the town. In a desperate attempt to break the
American blockade Captain Robert H. Barclay, a Royal Navy veteran of the Battle of
Trafalgar, lead six vessels out from Amherstburg to engage Perry's nine vessel fleet. On
September 10, 1813 the two forces clashed. At first, Barclay’s squadron had the upper
hand disabling Perry's flag ship, the brig Lawrence. Perry transferring his flag to the Brig
Niagara, recovered the initiative and the Battle of Lake Erie was a complete American
victory. All of the British ships were captured.
The loss of the British Fleet meant Fort Amherstburg was now defenceless against an
American amphibious invasion. Procter ordered the destruction of the fort, the naval-yard
and all government buildings in Amherstburg rather than have them fall into American
hands. By late September the British regulars, and what Native Allies that would follow,
began the retreat from Amherstburg. Their goal was to reach other British forces at
Burlington Heights, about 400 kilometres to the east. The dilatory nature of Procter's
retreat allowed Harrison's army, which landed south of Amherstburg on September 27 to
catch the British. The Battle of the Thames, on October 5, 1813 was another decisive
American victory. The bulk of Procter's troops, dispirited by the retreat quickly
surrendered and the Native leader Tecumseh was killed. The defeat meant Fort
Amherstburg and most of South-Western Upper Canada would be occupied by the
Americans for the rest of war.
The Americans entered Amherstburg at the end of September 1813 and slowly set
about constructing a new fort on the ruins of Fort Amherstburg. They encountered many of
the same problems as the British in attempting to build a fort: shortages of manpower,
materials and tools.18 The US troops erected several structures inside the new fort and were
able to complete a palisade by the end of 1814. American and British diplomats signed the
Treaty of Ghent on 24, December 1814 bringing the war to a close. While fighting
continued in some areas until well after the ratification of the treaty Fort Malden, as the
Americans now described it, remained a sleepy backwater. The Americans returned control
of the partially reconstructed post to the British on July 1, 1815.
Amherstburg, Ontario
War of 1812 ~2012
Bicentennial Heritage Trail
Stop # 1. The Amherstburg Visitors Centre
116 Sandwich St. N
Welcome to the beginning of what will definitely be a
very moving experience as you travel back in time to get
a taste of just how Canada became what she is today!
We begin this tour of a lifetime at the entrance to the core of
Amherstburg. As you look past the cottage that is the Amherstburg
Visitor Information Centre, take in one of the greatest lookout points
in Amherstburg. This Visitor Centre is located along the Detroit River
just before it spills into Lake Erie to the South. Before the cabin
became a Visitor Information Center it was "Country Charm Gift
Shop." It was Mr. and Mrs. Paul Renaud that spotted the cabin for
sale by Mr. & Mrs. Clarke at a farm in Oxley for $22,000.00.
Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce raised the required $85, 000 for
the purchase and moving of the cabin from Oxley 30km away from its
current location. Plaques in the cabin commemorate the donations of
time and money that made the project possible. The municipal
government provided the land and on December 4th, 1993 the doors
of the cabin officially opened as the Amherstburg Visitor Information
Center. Situated along the Detroit River it is a very peaceful, scenic
location. This beautiful river location is the reason that Amherstburg is
here. A strategic location and safe deep water harbor, this location
was chosen for Fort Amherstburg (Fort Malden) and the Kings Navy
Yard in 1796. Water transportation was a significant part in the fur
trade and mercantile traffic which continues until today as a port
along the St. Lawrence Seaway. As well this beautiful waterway
provides endless enjoyment for recreation and leisure to residences
and visitors.
The Wyandotte Reserve
& The Brunner Mond Story
Wyandotte Reserve Cemetery
At the lights at County Rd. 10
About five minutes north of here is the Wyandotte Burial Grounds,
where the stories of this town originated. This is the only graveyard
identified on the map of the Huron Reserve in 1836, any other
graveyards are no longer visible. Most of the tombstones in this
graveyard read "White," "Warrow," "Spitlog," or "Hunt," as these are
some of the largest Native families in the area. The most recent
burials here are of Samuel Drouillard in 1961, Stan Drouillard in 1977
and Cecile Drouillard in 1979. Another Wyandotte burial ground is a
minute or so east of this graveyard. Two tombstones remain here,
both from the late 1800's. The Wyandottes or Hurons had originally
been reserved the land that is present day Anderdon Township, but
these two burial grounds are the only remaining land not under
private ownership. On this reserve the Hurons ran stone quarries,
which laid the necessary groundwork for such companies as Brunner
Mond Limited, Church & Dwight, General Chemical, Allied Chemical
and Honeywell.
Soda ash is an important chemical used in many everyday products.
Take a drink of softened water from a glass, drink sweetened soft
drinks, use medication to relieve any physical discomfort or use
detergent in your home, soda ash is required. Even glass in your car
windows need soda ash. Chances are this soda ash came from the
Amherstburg Soda Ash plant originally known as Brunner Mond
Canada Limited, then by General Chemical Canada Limited, and
finally Allied Chemical Canada Limited. This soda ash production
plant was the first of its kind in Canada, and in 1996 it was the only
remaining of its kind in all of North America. Church & Dwight used
the by-product from soda ash to make what we know as Cow Brand
and Arm & Hammer Baking Soda.
The process to make great quantities of soda Ash began in Europe,
where American, English and German chemists and engineers
brainstormed and conducted trials to determine the most efficient
process. The Solvay process was deemed the best, and it spread
from Europe back to America, specifically to Delray, Michigan near
Detroit. It was under the management of Andrew H. Green, who
enjoyed many vacations in this very town of Amherstburg.
Coincidentally he stayed in the large 1859 cottage which was built for
the superintendent of the Malden Lunatic Asylum. It was Rev.
Thomas H. Nattress of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church who
informed Green of the abundance of essential ingredients in the area
for soda ash production. Green began purchasing the old Wyandotte
quarries of Anderdon. He then donated stone from these quarries for
the building of the library, and St. Anthony’s school (now House of
Shalom). Mr. Green brought Thomas W. Bellhouse to become
manager of the quarry who helped to increase production, allowing
the Solvay Process Company to be persuaded to build a major
production plant of soda ash near their quarries here. To many it
seemed positive that the plant would be built in Amherstburg, but
there were a few conflicts.
A new plant was opened in Kansas, which decreased the need for a
plant in Amherstburg. Just after the opening of this new plant
however, the original Brunner Mond plant in England was stopping
production of soda ash in order to be converted for war production.
Since most of Canada's soda ash came from England, there would
be a greatly increased need for soda ash from other sources.
Because of this conversion of the Brunner Mond Company of
England to war production, the British were pressured into building
another plant outside of England.
It was two Sutherland boys of Amherstburg (wealthy miners
interested in investing) that helped to seal the deal of building a plant
in Amherstburg. One of the boys traveled to England in hopes of
being invited into the inner circle of the wealthy men of the British
Empire.
He purchased a car known as "the Silver Cloud," in hopes of
attracting attention of wealthy British investors. He was able to attract
the interest of Dr. Ludwig Mond who had already invested a great
deal in a nickel mine in Sudbury and would eventually invest in the
soda ash plant, Brunner Mond Canada Limited. Once it was decided
to build the soda ash plant in Amherstburg, it still wasn't smooth
sailing. There were still some issues with the plan however; the
proposed waste disposal of the plant would be dumped into the river,
near Amherstburg's water intake. At this time, there were many leaks
in the water system, which meant Amherstburg had to take in almost
twice as much water as it actually used. The water was also very
dirty, which caused sickness, misery and sometimes death. The plant
agreed to expand its water system to assist Amherstburg's need for
water, and it would also move its water disposal location out of
Amherstburg's water intake range. Finally, the plant could be built!
Brunner Mond and later Allied Chemical provided water for
Amherstburg until the province built a water treatment plant in the
1960’s for a public municipal system.
Tall Ship on the Detroit River
Stop #2. Fort Malden
National Historic Site of Canada
Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada
100 Laird Avenue
Guided Tours and educational programmes may be arranged in
advance by calling 519-736-5416 or explored independently.
From Laird Avenue enter the Orientation Centre. Take a few
moments to browse the Garrison gift shop and begin to travel back
two hundred years ago, when this great nation of Canada was just
surfacing. The Fort and its facilities are accessible to everyone, each
providing many learning opportunities and the ability to experience
different aspects of life in the nineteenth century.
The Fort was first built in 1796 by the British as a key defense post
against the Americans and therefore played a major factor in
Canada's destiny. The Fort is situated along the Detroit River (just
before it opens into Lake Erie) and served as a garrison for the
British army, the meeting place for Chief Tecumseh and General
Isaac Brock as well as the location where General Isaac Brock
prepared for the attack against Detroit!
Its location along the River was a key factor in the war, so when
control of Lake Erie was lost to the Americans after the Battle of Lake
Erie, it became very difficult for the British to receive supplies.
In September 1813 the British burned the fort and retreated east
along the Thames River to Niagara. The Americans occupied the site
from October 1813 until peace in July of 1815, at which time the
British returned. When visiting today there are no visible remains of
the first Fort. What we see is the Fort which was rebuilt first by the
Americans during their occupation and later by the British. The Fort
included the King's Navy Yard, which today is the King’s Navy Yard
Park which is walking distance away.
The Navy Yard was where the British Navy built many vessels and
had their dockyard and harbor.
Fort Malden tells the story of the War of 1812 and the Upper
Canadian Rebellion in the Detroit River Region. After the military
period, the site was used as a Lunatic Asylum and later was sold for
public use including a lumber mill, and residential development.
Today the site has been declared nationally significant and includes a
fabulous museum and restored buildings. This site should not be
missed for a visit.
After your visit to Fort Malden, turn right onto Laird Avenue. To your
left you will see the murals on the west wall of General Amherst High
School painted by Kingsville’s Anne Fines in 1967. When leaving
take your time and observe them all, trying to pick out what Anne is
trying to portray in each.
Beginning with the Northern mural (on the far left hand side), this
represents Canada's centennial. Notice factories representing
industry, modern ships for business, a flag for multiculturalism and a
maple leaf to represent the nation. Continuing to the right, the second
mural depicts the Underground Railroad and the experiences of the
fugitive slaves titled "North to Freedom 1793," broken chains and a
map of the United States are among the images of this mural.
"Teacher and Trader 1684," the third mural, illustrates a cabin,
French-Canadian priest, native woman cooking and a trader
(woodsman).
The fourth mural is of a pioneer clearing the forest. In the fifth mural, a
horse mounted Native looks on as the Griffon (the French explorer
LaSalle's ships) sails on. The next mural depicts Fort Malden which
provided forest and field products until the end of the 18th Century
(1700’s).
The last three murals are of extra importance as they deal directly
with the War of 1812. This seventh mural depicts the alliance
between General Isaac Brock and Native Chief Tecumseh. In the
eighth mural, the Battle of Lake Erie at Put-In-Bay (in present day
Ohio) is illustrated. It was this battle that cut off Fort Malden’s supply
source and drove the British from the Great Lakes, making the Fort
vulnerable to American attack. The final mural is a visual of American
ships firing at Fort Malden, and the Fort later being burned by the
British just before their retreat up the Thames River (near Chatham,
ON).
Murals at General Amherst High School
Stop #3. Naval Yard and Port
& the Park House Museum
Park House Museum
214 Dalhousie St. S
The Park House offers tours, demonstrations and interesting
events year round. Call 519 736-2511
Take a look at the plaque outside the house, and prepare yourself for
a breathtaking experience. You are about to enter a house that is the
oldest house within 250 miles. As the staff will inform you, the Park
House was originally located in Detroit near the mouth of the Rouge
River. However, once Detroit was handed over to the Americans the
house was dismantled and floated down the Detroit River to
Amherstburg in 1799.
Although the Park family was not the original owners of the house,
together they occupied the house for 102 years. In 1972 the House
was threatened to be destroyed but due to its significance, it was
eventually saved and relocated from its original location in
Amherstburg (to the North of Duffy's Tavern) to its current location
further North on Dalhousie St. The first floor is restored to the 1850
period. The second floor contains exhibits of medical practice and
changing exhibits tell stories of our community up to 1950.
Today, Amherstburg is proud to call the Park House Museum our
Community Gem.
Kings Navy Yard Park
Ask the staff to direct you to the exit of the house which brings you
inside the King's Navy Yard Park. When the Park was still a navy
yard, it consisted of a storehouse, two blockhouses, a timber yard,
sawpit, pier and a privately owned rope walk. William Mills and
William Gilkinson were the suppliers of the rope walk. This rope walk
was important to the navy yard, since a great amount of rope and
cable is essential for the building of vessels. The rope walk began at
Ramsay Street and ran parallel to Sandwich Street. If you visit the
Commissariat in the park, a very small sample of a rope walk can be
observed. Here materials such as hemp, used to make ropes would
be laid and then twisted into rope. Under the lead of Master Builder
William Bell, the yard produced and repaired many ships. It also built
the British fleet of war vessels for the provincial marine to use in the
war of 1812. The first dock was built in 1797. The Navy Yard was an
excellent source of income, and characterized Amherstburg as a port
town. Amherstburg still has a port today at the Coast Guard docks.
American trade dominated, in 1874 there were 15 Canadian
Steamers at the port, compared to 323 American Steamers. The
majority of Amherstburg men were employed in shipbuilding at these
dockyards as shipwrights, joiners, sawyers, blacksmiths, block
makers and laborers. In the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie, the naval yard
lost its fleet of ships. The Navy Yard was burnt alongside Fort Malden
during the British retreat in 1813.
After the War of 1812, Fort Malden continued to own the Navy Yard
until they sold it to a private owner in 1859. The park then became a
grist mill owned by C.W. Thomas until 1891 when the town
purchased some of the land and built a waterworks by Rankin St.
When Bruner Mond built a water purification plant in 1919 and began
to supply the town with clean water, a swimming wharf and break wall
were built at the waterworks so it became a popular swimming spot.
Before the Navy Yard was opened as a park on September 28, 1980,
the Detroit River was dredged to construct a seawall. This dredging
process unearthed 30, 000 artifacts. In 1984, Bob Sutherland of the
Fort Malden Horticultural Society introduced rhododendrons and
azaleas to the park.
The Navy Yard now houses the Cenotaph, an important part of
Remembrance Day Ceremonies. Originally it was located on the left
side of General Amherst High School until it was moved to the
southeast corner of Centennial Park. It stayed in the park until the
King's Navy Yard Park was complete. It is rumored that an old field
gun from World War I is buried beneath the monument.
Once inside the 10.5 acre passive park overlooking the Detroit River,
there are many plaques and monuments to be observed. Read each
one as you pass and discover the historical wealth of this park. One
such plaque regarding the Great Sauk Trail can be observed. The
Great Sauk Trail begins at Rock Island (in present-day Illinois) to the
Detroit River. This is the ancient network of Indian paths which led
pro-British tribes (the Sauk and the Fox tribes) to Fort Malden where
alliances were formed and strengthened with the British.
As you walk throughout the beautiful landscapes of the park you will
come across the commissariat office. It was here that the British
Government could purchase staple items for the garrison from locals.
The Commissariat
Home to Provincial Marine Amherstburg Re enactment Unit
224 Dalhousie St.
Today, the Provincial Marine Amherstburg Re-enactment Unit uses it
as an interpretive centre for visitors. Be sure to take advantage of the
knowledge that these volunteers can give to you! Stop in to learn
more about the history of this Navy Yard.
Walking out of the building and looking across the River, Bois Blanc
Island (often referred to as Boblo Island) is directly visible, today
landmarks of the island include many large homes, a lighthouse on
the southern point and a tall white observation tower. Before the
island was a Resort Community or an Amusement Park, it was
strategically important to Fort Malden in guarding the passage along
the Detroit River. Interaction between the Island and the Fort secured
the river since guns fired from the Fort could reach the island across
the water. During the War of 1812, the island served as headquarters
for Chief Tecumseh (a British ally).
The Ferry Terminal to Boblo Island Today
Stop # 4. Old Fort Town
Freedom of the City Parade in front of the Gordon House
268 Dalhousie St. S
Walking Tours Available with Experienced Guide! Brochures for
self guides are available at the Amherstburg Visitor Information
Center for more information. 519 736-8320
If you continue along the River in the Navy Yard Park, and follow the
path which circles back in the direction of the entrance, take in the
beautiful flower gardens. As you pass under the flower wisteria
arbour, take a right and you will come up behind the Gordon House.
This beautiful building was built between the years of 1798 and 1804.
William Mills used the building as a warehouse . Then the young
Scottish man, the Hon. James Gordon became the first occupant of
the building as a house.
In 1875, fire ravaged this area of town (on Murray St. between
Ramsey and Dalhousie Streets), the fire caused $25 000 damage (in
1875 dollars) and was known as "The Great Conflagration of 1875."
The fire began at roughly 2am on a Sunday morning in Gilbert
Lafferty's large two storey building. J.H. Crawley witnessed the
flames and sounded the alarm.
Before the fire was put out, it burnt two general stores on either side
of Lafferty's building, a tailor shop across the street, the News store,
the barber shop, the Prince Albert Hotel, the butcher's stalls, Joseph
Reaume's stores, Louis Cadaret's grocery store, Bungey's Hotel,
Smith's barber shop, two vacant stores, two barns and the home of
John R. Park. The only buildings saved in this fire were the ones
closer to the river. They are the buildings where Caldwell's Grant and
the Downtown Espresso Cafe are located.
Dunbar House
273 Ramsay. St.
Found on Ramsay St. present day address is 273, across the road
from the Kolfage Residence (the only two remaining Georgian brick
buildings). It was built in 1849 as one of only three brick buildings
built this year, when the population was a mere 900 individuals.
William Mickel was the original owner, born in Scotland, he then
moved to the United States and eventually Amherstburg. Mickle was
the ship carpenter. Thanks to David Bernhardt of Olde Walkerville in
Windsor, and then homeowners Stuart & Teddie Keith, the house is
still around today for people to witness. The house was threatened
with destruction or at best severe modernization in the 1960's.
After Mickle's death, the house was then turned into a bakeshop and
James Dunbar's residence. It then housed the Amherstburg library for
twenty years, then in 1911 part of the house was transformed into a
machine shop, and in 1917 it was the Amherstburg Continuation
School until General Amherst High School opened in 1921, at which
time the house fell back into the hands of several homeowners.
The Keith's have since done many restorations to the house to bring
it back to its 1840 appearance. As you admire the exterior of the
house, take special notice of the windows, all eighteen of which are
the originals from over one hundred and fifty years ago. Mr. Keith has
revealed that he often finds artifacts from the past around the house.
Underneath the house for instance he recently found a clay pipe and
small cannon ball.
Salmoni Place Condominiums
252 Dalhousie St. S
site of Salmoni House Tavern 1849
In 1849 Thomas Salmoni whose family was from England, built a
hotel and a general store at this location. The third floor was
designated as the Masonic lodge as Thomas Salmoni was a mason.
The building became Stedman’s Dealer Store and then the Navy
Yard Restaurant. The building was recently demolished to make way
for the beautiful waterfront condominiums that you see today. The
condominiums have kept the Salmoni name. Upon the demolition of
the original Salmoni House, many artifacts from the military period
were unearthed. The Salmoni family came to America for one of their
sons to fight in a boxing match, he unfortunately lost the match and
because the family had bet financially so heavily on him winning, they
only had the money to come to Canada rather than return to England.
It was in Amherstburg that Thomas re-established himself. Thomas
gave the building to his son Mark, and when Mark died, several
proprietors took over the building as a "dime store."
Kings Navy Yard Park near the Salmoni Property
Chittenden (Berthelot) House
296 Ramsay St.
As you stand on the corner of Ramsay and Gore, try to step back
nearly two hundred years ago. A great deal would change around
you, but one thing would be familiar, the Berthelot Residence would
still be in front of you. This regency style home was once the Caldwell
Arms Tea Room and later the Museum Tea Room.
Webber House
263 Dalhousie St.
This 1820 building was first built to be a hotel and tavern where stage
and mail coaches entered to the interior yard. Until 1907 it was a
stage terminal and has since been completely altered.
Billette (Askin) House
298 Ramsay St.
This Ramsay street home was built in the 1830’s by John Askin Jr.,
son of a famous Detroit merchant and Deputy Superintendent of
Indian Affairs for the Western Development.
Kolfage House
284 Ramsay St.
Now a private residence, this 1840 building has a great deal of history
behind it. The lot, on which this building stands, had belonged to
Simon Girty’s son-in-law, whom built and ran an inn here. Upon
Girty’s death in 1818, the inn was torn down and the lot sold. The
house has been owned by the Duncanson Family, and later to J.G
Kolfage (the first mayor) and his family.
Gibson Gallery
140 Richmond St.
In 1892, this building had a much different role than the Gallery it is
today, it was the Michigan Central Railroad Station, which was in
operation until 1969 when it became an arts centre. Be sure to take a
look at the Railcar behind the gallery as a reminder of this buildings
former use. Today, the Gibson Art Gallery offers world class
exhibits and art displays. Call 519-736-2826
Bondy (Caldwell) Residence 207 Gore St.
This original log house was built between 1835 and 1840 by James
Caldwell. Caldwell served with the British Army during the
Revolutionary War. At the end of this war, he was given a large tract
of land in Amherstburg for his service.
449 Dalhousie
You are looking at the home of Captain Frances Bondhead Hackett.
He along with his six brothers were keepers of the Bois Blanc
lighthouse, he was also a prominent seafarer.
Methodist Meeting House (now the Municipal Parking Lot)
burned in 1887
The first Methodist Meeting Place was on the corner of Richmond
Street and Ramsay Street. Although the building no longer exists, it is
understood to be similar to the layout of the Park House. The house
consisted of two rooms, one larger meeting room, and a smaller room
where the pastor would sleep.
Stop # 5. Old Town Churches
and Burial Grounds
Christ Church and statue in Garden
317 Ramsey St.
Standing in front of Christ Church you are looking at one of the first
places of Anglican worship in western Upper Canada and one of the
oldest remaining churches in the entire province. A brief history is
located on the plaque outside the church. Worship in present day
Amherstburg first began at the Indian Council House near Fort
Malden with the arrival of the British forces led by Reverend Richard
Pollard.
Pollard was taken as a prisoner during the War of 1812, and both his
churches at Fort Malden and in Sandwich were destroyed at this
time. It was not until after the war that he was provided grants to build
churches, one of them being Christ Church in 1818-19.Col. Caldwell
donated the land for the church in exchange for a pew to be reserved
at the church for his family. This exchange is still recognized today by
a plaque within the church.
Soldiers from Fort Malden built the church. The original structure of
the church is still visible, but many renovations have taken place
since it was first built, including a war memorial on its East side. The
windows of the church pay tribute to the church’s Masonic
connection, sailors during Amherstburg’s prosperous time as a port,
longtime mayor Dr. Fred Park, Magistrate McCormick, John R. Park
and to Walter Ranta, who gave a great deal of time to the church’s
restoration.
To the left of the church is located Christ Church Graveyard. This was
the original burial grounds for the community. The north end was the
military burials and the south end for civilian burials. Christ Church
faced on to Ramsey Street. The Roman Catholic Chapel faced on to
Bathurst Street. The burial ground contains graves dating as far back
as 1813 and from the fallen of the War of 1812 and the Upper
Canadian Rebellion of 1837.
By the 1840’s, the Roman Catholic Chapel had been relocated to
Brock Street with the establishment of St. John the Baptist Church
and its burial ground. By the 1860’s, Rosehill Cemetery had been
established on Alma Street and St. John the Baptist Cemetery on
Meloche Road.
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
129 Simcoe St.
A Presbyterian congregation has been in Amherstburg sine 1828. The
first church was built on Bathurst Street in December 1831 and was
known as the Old Kirk. It is now a private home. St. Andrew’s
Presbyterian Church was built in May 1846 on the corner of Simcoe and
Bathurst Streets. It was Scottish Reverend Alexander Gale, and some of
his fellow Scottish priests that began worship at St. Andrew’s, and one
of Amherstburg’s first public school teachers, Rev. Robert Peden, that
first led worship out of the new church in 1846. The Gothic wooden
windows of the church were installed by soldiers of the Royal Canadian
Rifle Regiment at Fort Malden.
Stop #6.The Nazrey African Methodist
Episcopal Church
&
The North American Black Historical
Museum
North American Black Historical Museum
277 King St.
Guided Tours available :Call 519 736-5433
Canada was a special place for Black refugees, where they could feel
free after being enslaved for so long. As you approach this church,
consider how it symbolizes their hope of finally being respected and
recognized as human beings.
Under the leadership of Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe,
Upper Canada became the first British territory to legislate in
opposition to slavery. The 1793 Act did not end slavery, but it was an
essential stepping stone leading to the Act of 1833, which completely
abolished slavery in British territories. The terms of the 1793 AntiSlave act stopped the importation of slaves into Canada and stated
that those born after the date of the Act would be free when they
reached the age of 25.
Blacks lived in this area as early as 1784, some arriving as slaves;
others, like James Fry and James Robertson, having been granted
land for their help in defending the British Empire. By 1828 the
number of Blacks in Amherstburg reached 100 and continued to grow
as activity of the Underground Railroad (movement of slaves from the
United States to Canada in search of freedom) increased due to the
the British Abolition of Slavery Law of 1833 and the U.S. Fugitive
Slave Law of 1850. Amherstburg was a critical entry point for
fugitives escaping slavery by way of this Underground Railroad
because of the narrow crossing point of the Detroit River from the
United States to Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada. Bois Blanc Island
served as a stopover point for some refugees before finishing the
final leg of their journey to freedom.
The Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal was built by Black refugees
in 1848, one of the oldest existing Black churches in Canada. Bishop
Willis Nazrey was the first pastor there, connected with the Canadianbased British Methodist Episcopal Church which allowed refugees to
govern their own churches. The Nazrey provided shelter, fellowship,
education and the teaching of essential skills which contributed to the
success of many Black individuals in Amherstburg. Many Blacks put
their skills to good use as sailors, prosperous farmers, innkeepers
(William Hamilton), grocers (Henry Turner), millers (James
Alexander) and shoemakers (Albany Pines). John H. Alexander was
principal of the school for the Black community, later serving on the
school board, town council and as town assessor.
The stone walls of the restored church are the same walls that Black
refugees put up almost 165 years ago. After the Civil War in the
United States, the church became part of the African Methodist
Episcopal Conference. In 1979 the old Nazrey A.M.E church building
began to show severe signs of aging and attendance of the church
declined until the church was closed in 1987 after being declared
unsafe.
In 1975, the North American Black Historical Museum was
incorporated, and the building to the right of Nazrey Church opened
in 1981, in order to tell the story of the Black refugees’ journeys to
freedom in Canada. Two of the key individuals responsible for the
establishment of the museum were Melvin and Betty Simpson.
Among the many successful Black individuals who have excelled in
this town are Delos Davis, who became Canada’s first Black King’s
Counsel in 1886; Jesse Henderson, who earned five medals from
four different countries while he served as an army gunner in the
Second World War; and Wayne Hurst who became the town's first
Black mayor in 1997.George W.F. McCurdy became Human Rights
Commissioner in Nova Scotia. Howard McCurdy, Ph. D. was elected
to the House of Commons in 1984, serving as the first Black MP for
the New Democratic Party.
Descendants of fugitive slaves still live in Amherstburg today. Family
names include Harris, Hurst, Thompson, Simpson, Wilson, McCurdy,
Nelson, Henderson, Stewart, Jefferson and Chapman, among many
others.
Immediately south of the Nazrey Church and NABHM is the Simpson
House. Built around 1848, this King Street home is one of only four
known buildings which date to the time of the Underground Railroad.
Melvin (Mac) Simpson, founder of the North American Black
Historical Museum, resided here. Melvin's hope of "illuminating the
history of Black people in a dignified manner" finally became a reality
with the opening of the museum in 1981.
Another noteworthy church is First Baptist, located at 232 George
Street. Established in 1836, it is one of the oldest Baptist church
buildings in Ontario. This church was one of the final stations of the
Underground Railroad and is considered to be the “Mother Church” to
the Amherstburg Regular Missionary Baptist Association. Among the
carpenters and builders of the church were the deacons of the British
Methodist Episcopal Church, including George Crawford.
The limestone building at 250 King Street was constructed in 1875 as
the King Street School, replacing an earlier log structure on that site.
When school segregation ended in 1909, Black students attended
Amherstburg Public School on Richmond Street. The King Street
building was used as a barracks during the First World War for
recruits needed for service overseas. George Pettypiece bought the
building in 1918 and operated his cement works there for many
years. In 1949 it was purchased by Mount Beulah Church of God in
Christ. A Sunday school room, washrooms, kitchen, dining area and
pastor’s study were added to the rear of the building in 1984.
Stop #7. St. John the Baptist Church
St. John the Baptist Church
225 Brock St.
The town’s first Roman Catholic congregation worshipped at their log
chapel on Bathurst Street when Amherstburg was still very young.
This first building was small, but as Amherstburg grew, so did the
parish and by 1830 a larger building was needed and fourteen years
later when Father Louis Boue became pastor of the church.
St. John the Baptist Church was built at its current location on Brock
St for $9, 728.00.
The stone for the church was donated by the Wyandotte family from
their quarry. In 1994, stone from the same quarry was used to build
the stone sign located just to the right of the front entrance of the
church.
For some time, the first front pews were reserved for the Wyandotte's
for their donation of the stone, and they were exempt from paying any
pastoral fees and dues. Citizens of Amherstburg donated manual
labor to the building of the church, many of which have family still
attending the church today. Side galleries were built in the new
church to accommodate soldiers from Fort Malden; these galleries
are not present today, as they were later destroyed. If you enter the
church from the left front entrance on Brock St, just up the stairs to
your left is a plaque in memory of Father Boue. Work on the church
continued after Father Boue's death, and it was not finished until
many years later. The addition of a bell tower was directed by
Basilian Father Pierre Dominic Laurent in 1860. The steeple atop the
church today was restored just a few years ago.
Visible from both inside and outside the church are stained glass
windows on the North and South side walls. Two of these windows
were imported from Belgium in 1883, followed by eight more in 1894,
and the rest in the early 1900's. Despite many restorations and
renovations over the years, the outer walls of the church were the
original walls present at the Golden Jubilee over one hundred years
ago.
On the corner of Brock and Gore streets stands the House of
Shalom, which used to be St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic school. The
school was built in 1910 to compensate for the overcrowding of St.
Rose Elementary School. It was built with four classrooms, and only
students in the lower grades were transferred here originally, until
another four classrooms were added in 1929 to bring the rest of the
students from St. Rose here. It was first a primary/junior school and
then an intermediate/senior school until it was closed in 1972 when it
became the House of Shalom.
Located on 259 Richmond Street, the Smith residence in 1850 served
as the convent for the Sisters of the Holy Names until their large
stone convent building was completed on the corner of Brock and
Richmond some fifteen years later. Lighthouse Chapel-Evangelical
Baptist Church served as the school for St. John the Baptist Parish in
1875. It was then a parish hall for the church until the Evangelical
Baptist Church took it over. St. Rose School was a high school only
for girls until 1928 when boys were allowed. .
The school was well known for its academics, basketball and football
teams. In 1951, additions were added to the school due to increased
enrolment. Just over ten years later there were only 84 students left
at the school, so the 1965-66 school year was the last year the
school graduated students before it was destroyed in 1971.
To the north of St. John the Baptist Church was the early Roman
Catholic Cemetery. The graveyard operated here until 1864 and was
replaced by St. John the Baptist Cemetery on Meloche Road. Today
the property beside St. John the Baptist Church has been developed,
including the former Ecole St. Jean Baptiste. There are no
gravestones left at this location. A monument erected in 1996
commemorates this old cemetery.
Stop #8.
Bellevue House-Robert Reynolds,
Catherine & Margaret Reynolds
Bellevue House
525 Dalhousie St. S
Step back nearly two hundred years ago to the year 1816 when
Robert Reynolds (commissariat officer at Fort Malden) first built this
breathtaking neo-classical home. Bellevue house cost $250, 000 (in
1816 dollars) and took 197 men of the 37th Regiment to build. Robert
Reynolds also donated the bricks for the construction of Christ
Church. The original house still stands today although it has seen
many alterations. You can still see the gabled dependencies which
were connected to the main house by covered passages; a
component of many Neo-Classical homes. This home also features a
large central hip-roofed block, reception rooms with fine proportions
and delicate detail, twelve shuttered windows, detailed ionic columns
in the front and mantelpieces with reiding, paterae and swags of fruit
and flowers. In 1820, Catherine Reynolds painted a watercolour of
the house, which is now located in the Detroit Institute of Arts.
"Miss Reynolds' water-colour the large windows, their lintels
ornamented with keystones on the facade and sides of the house,
were glazed with double-hung sashes of equal size, six panes to a
sash, making a total of twelve panes per window. The water-colour
shows a small-scale repeat pattern in the roof cornice such as would
be produced by the application of the Neo-classic Doric Order." (41,
42 of The Ancestral Roof, Domestic Architecture of Upper Canada by
Marion Macrae).
This 23 room home was home to the Reynolds family for two
generations, and then owned by a local druggist from 1865 to 1884.
One wing of this Georgian Mansion was later converted into an Indian
Artefact Museum by Perry B. Leighton. In 1946 the house became a
Veterans' Convalescent home and fifteen years later in 1961 St.
Nicholas Ukrainian Church purchased the house and named Bellevue
as "Ukrainian Village" in 1962. Privately owned, this house has been
designated by the province, the nation and the municipality. Please
feel free to read the historic plaques on the property.
In the words of Marion Macrae in her book The Ancestral Roof,
Domestic Architecture of Upper Canada
"Seemingly the initial step towards building a fine Neo-classic house
in Upper Canada in 1818 was to marry a fur trader's widow. Bishop
Strachan set the example; Robert Reynolds of Amherstburg followed
suit. He even married into the same fortune when Therese Bouchette
des Rivieres, widow of the step-son of James McGill, became his
wife. Perhaps Therese provided the name as well as the money. At
any rate Bellevue, a brick house of imposing size, still looks out over
the Detroit at Amherstburg, surviving but much altered since that day
in 1820 when Catherine Reynolds painted the water-colour of it which
now reposes in the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Bellevue in 1820 had the Neo-classic plan beloved in Virginia: a large
central hip-roofed block with gabled dependencies attached by
covered passages to the main unit. In Miss Reynolds' water-colour
the large windows, their lintels ornamented with keystones on the
facade and sides of the house, were glazed with double-hung sashes
of equal size, six panes to a sash, making a total of twelve panes per
window.
The water-colour shows a small-scale repeat pattern in the roof
cornice such as would be produced by the application of the Neoclassic Doric Order.
Bellevue in its hey-day was Neo-classic in the true Adamesque
sense: all principal reception rooms enjoyed fine propertions and
delicate detail. The mantelpieces, now perhaps over-restored,
boasted the reeding, the paterae (flat, formal rosettes), the swags of
fruit and flowers which graced the best buildings of Robert Adam or
Samuel McINtire of Salem.." (41-2 Marion)
.
Stop # 9. Early Settlement in Malden at
Elliott's Point
Annual Crossing to Freedom Re enactment by Provincial Marine
and Heritage Homecoming
(You will see a designation plaque on the east side of
779 Front Rd. S. The property is a little way up from that on the
water side. )
This is quite possibly one of the most significant sites in terms of both
history and archaeology in Ontario, and probably even Canada. This
site is so unique because it is one of few sites where European,
African and native histories are intertwined. This was the site where
Matthew Elliott originally of Pennsylvania (British Colonel, Loyalist
and important member of the British Indian Department) lived.
With 5400 acres of property, he was considered to be one of the most
prosperous farmers in Upper Canada.
The Elliott's owned property from the River up to the 6th Concession
in Malden. Prominent individuals of the War of 1812, such as Chief
Tecumseh, would have visited and even stayed at the Elliott estate.
During the War of 1812, the Americans invaded and occupied
Amherstburg. The Elliotts, like the majority of Amherstburg residents
evacuated with the British in 1813. They fled to Burlington where
Matthew died at the age of 74 years old. Sarah and her family
returned to Amherstburg to a ransacked home. Sarah claimed war
damages, and sometime between 1830 and 1835 she received funds
from the government to rebuild her home. She built this brick house
you see now, in 1835 and lived there until the 1860's. The original
architectural plans remain in the Toronto Archives, while a copy of
these plans (including pencil adjustments thought to have been made
by Sarah and her family) are located in the Fort Malden archives. Fort
Malden has a beautifully carved chesterfield that was from the
Drawing Room when Sarah lived in the house. The house was kept
within the family who were very prominent in the town, especially in
politics. It was owned most recently by the Duff family (relatives of the
Elliott's). This Regency style home is relatively plain on the outside,
with large windows and it once had a veranda. Mr. Duff restored the
home, and refinished the Black Walnut interior and notable elliptical
wood staircase.
As you continue your tour of this historic town, keep in mind that
Amherstburg, along with Sandwich was one of the first towns within
Essex County. Amherstburg was established in 1796 when the British
gave up Detroit. Since that time Amherstburg has grown as a
garrison town across from Bois Blanc Island.
The Detroit River region was first settled by the French based out of
Detroit. Some were farming and trapping seasonally along the
southern Detroit River. It is estimated that the Reaume family had
established a cabin and farm land along the river in what is now
Malden by 1785.
They would work their farm in the summer and retreat to the fort in
the winter. Charles Reaume was an interpretator for the British Indian
Department and was given land grants in Amherstburg, Sandwich,
Belle River and lot 9 in Malden. Eventually he was also granted Lot
10 on Second Street in Amherstburg.
During the American Revolution, anyone loyal to the British was
referred to as a “Loyalist”. On March 28, 1778 Alexander McKee,
Matthew Elliott and Simon Girty fled from Fort Pitt in Pennsylvania to
the fort at Detroit and joined the British side. These men became
valuable assets to the British Indian Department and because of their
close relationships with the Natives, they were able to sway them to
the British cause. The British promised to help the Natives protect
their land from American expansion in return. William Caldwell of
Butlers Rangers also worked closely with the Indians as a skilled
tactician and a devoted loyalist. For their efforts they were given land
by the Natives in what is now Malden township, and operated
through to the War of 1812 as members of the British Indian
Department.. William Caldwell owned Lot 3 and marsh area in
Malden Township. Caldwell donated property for the Anglican Church
and asked that a pew be reserved for his family in exchange. William
Caldwell’s wife was catholic and today his grave remains along side
his wife’s in the old St. John the Baptist Cemetery.
In 1796 Detroit has given to the United States and a new military
reserve and fort was established at Amherstburg. In 1797 the
government approved for houses to be built on the military reserve at
Fort Amherstburg. The lots were allotted to traders or merchants, with
the exception of four lots which were given to military personnel. First
Street (presently Dalhousie Street), was occupied by such men as
James Allan, Shepherd & Duff, Innes & Pattinson, John Askin Sr.,
Alexander McKenzie, Robert Forsyth and Robert Reynolds. The
following year Second Street (now Ramsay Street) was laid out
behind First Street. Eight lots were allotted on this street, and they
were all either occupied by the Reaumes or Pougets. One year later
Third Street (now Bathurst St.) was laid out which housed a burial
ground and twenty-eight lots available for building. Later in 1799, the
Natives of the Huron Reserve gave the Crown 1380 acres to ensure
that Amherstburg would have enough timber for firewood and building
materials.
Typical housing for Amherstburg residents was a square home of
timber, less than two-storeys high. Often the main door would open
onto the dirt road, or unpaved street. Livestock, gardens and
outhouses were usually fenced in and occupying the remainder of the
lot. In 1803, pigs were prohibited from roaming free in Amherstburg.
Sources of jobs for Amherstburg residents were mainly shipbuilding
(shipwrights, joiners, sawyers, blacksmiths, block makers, labourers),
clerks of businesses, working at the Robert Innes’ tan yard, tailors,
innkeepers, shoemakers, hatters and millers. Many men were also
employed in the fur trade with the Natives.
With the peace on 1 July 1815, Amherstburg and Fort Malden were
returned to Britain. Although left in much distress and poverty after
the War of 1812 Amherstburg rebuilt itself and became on of the best
harbours in Canada. With Amherstburg’s rebirth came new farm
products, such as tobacco, wheat and Indian corn to replace fur
trading. By 1820, the town’s population had grown to five hundred
people.
Stop #10. Bois Blanc (Bob-Lo) Island
Please note that you will need permission to take the
ferry over to the Island or visit their restaurant for
lunch to do so!
The Light House at Boblo Island
The Ste. Clare that took thousands of excited children from Detroit,
Michigan USA to Boblo Amusement Park ~ “Let’s all go to
Boblo” they sang!
Looking out across the Detroit River is definitely a sight to see. There
is a great deal to look at, lake freighters, pleasure boats, wildlife and
most notably, Bois Blanc (known by most as "Boblo") Island.
The first European settlers in the area were the French who
established Detroit in 1701.They named the island at the mouth of the
Detroit River Bois Blanc or White Woods for the birch and silver
poplar trees that grew there. Around the 1730’s a mission to the
Huron peoples was established by the French on Bois Blanc. Due to
continued attacks on the mission by the native people from the south
they were relocated in 1748 directly across from Detroit and became
known as the Huron Reserve.
The narrow channel between Bois Blanc and the mainland was the
only navigable channel into the Detroit River from Lake Erie and
therefore it was a strategic military location. In 1796, when Fort
Detroit was given to the United States a new British fort, Fort
Amherstburg was built to guard this channel. This location was very
important during the War of 1812 especially for maintaining the
loyalty of the native people. The Shawnee leader, Chief Tecumseh
met with General Brock and Chief Tecumseh used Bois Blanc Island
as a place for his people to encamp while his warriors fought with the
British during the War of 1812.
The lighthouse at the southern tip of the island was built in 1837 to
mark the entrance to the Amherstburg channel, and to guide ships
around Bois Blanc Island. The six brothers of the Hackett family
cared for the lighthouse until 1924. The Lighthouse is a Recognized
Federal Heritage Building. The Lighthouse is a structure that is
closely associated with the theme of the navigational aids for
maritime traffic of the Great Lakes during the 1830’s. It was the third
lighthouse constructed to improve the safety of Lake Erie navigation.
It is also closely related to the history of the Hackett family, who were
lighthouse keepers for three generations until the automation of the
light in the 1970’s.
From the 1830’s through to the end of the American Civil War, Bois
Blanc Island was a crossing point from the American shore to
freedom in Amherstburg during the Black refugee’s journey along the
Underground Railroad.
For a short time, there was an effort to use the white silica sand
found at the mouth of the Detroit River to produce glass. A failed car
factory was turned into a glass production plant. The plant closed
almost immediately and the glass can still be found today around the
property. The same sand used in these factories is located on the
man-made and popular local beach of White Sands.
In 1897 the Detroit, Belle Isle & Windsor Ferry Company began
running ferries and barges from Amherstburg and Boblo Island to
Detroit. The company also had plans to build such attractions as a
casino, golf course, baseball diamond and bathing beach among
other things.
As more people became interested in taking ferries to the island, twostory dance pavilion (the size of a city block), a cafeteria, Vernor's
ginger ale factory, carousel and miniature coasters were built marking
the beginning of the Boblo Amusement park era. During World War
I, men of draft-age in the United States, were not allowed to leave the
country, unless they were going to spend the day at Boblo Island, this
speaks volumes for the success and popularity of the island at that
time. In 1934, the park did not open due to the depression, but was
back up and running the following 1935 season. The park was sold to
several different companies, each improving and expanding the park,
until 1994.
You may also call the Visitor Information Center for further
inquiries at 519 736-8320 or stop in to the log cabin on the
highway in to Town!
Happy Trails!
Websites/Sources Used:
Amherstburg 1796-1996: The New Town on the Garrison Grounds: Book 1.
Amherstburg Bicentennial Book Committee. Amherstburg, 1996.
Amherstburg 1796-1996: The New Town on the Garrison Grounds: Book 2.
Amherstburg Bicentennial Book Committee. Amherstburg, 1997.
Fort Malden:
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1A
RTA0002951
http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/malden/natcul/natcul2_e.asp
http://www.gecdsb.on.ca/schools/SEC/gahs/administrative/schoolhistory.htm
http://www.warof1812.ca/fortambg.htm
Navy Yard/Park House:
http://www.parkhousemuseum.com/
Underground Railroad:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/canada/proj/cfc-ugrr/cfc-ugrr2_e.asp
http://www.essexontario.worldweb.com/Amherstburg/FeaturesReviews/Historical/
/8-146799.html
http://www.uwindsor.ca/users/e/ernest/main.nsf/9d019077a3c4f6768525698a00
593654/05d80e587234e7f585256d720055e199!OpenDocument
http://www.walkervilletimes.com/nazreychurch.htm
St. John the Baptist Parish:
http://www.stjohnb.rcec.london.on.ca/
Old Town Downtown:
http://www.walkervilletimes.com/39/dunbar-residence.html
http://www.amherstburg.ca/PDFs/FireDept/AboutAFD.pdf
http://www.hpd.mcl.gov.on.ca/scripts/hpdsearch/english/popupSearch.asp?pid=2
712
Boblo Island:
http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/Bois+Blanc+Island+(Canada)
http://info.detnews.com/redesign/history/story/historytemplate.cfm?id=87&CFID=
20509879&CFTOKEN=78622945
http://www.walkervilletimes.com/long-live-boblo.html
Early Settlement in Malden:
www.countyofessex.on.ca/countyhistory/earlyyears_home.asp
Editors and Story Composers:
Ashley Kellam
Robert Honor
Debra Honor
Anne Rota