War of 1812 Timeline, April 1814-- Part 3: Construction of Fort Mississauga

In April 1814, the British commenced construction on Fort Mississauga in Niagara, Upper Canada. 

After capturing American Fort Niagara, the British built a new fort across the Niagara River on Mississauga Point. Together, these two forts commanded the mouth of the river. 

Fort Mississauga was a small star-shaped earthwork surrounded by a dry ditch and a log palisade. It was armed with four 24-pounder cannons and equipped with a hot-shot furnace and it was stronger than the badly damaged Fort George. 

Stone and brick rubble from the destroyed town of Niagara was used to begin construction of a central brick tower inside Fort Mississauga. 

Also, the first lighthouse built on the Great Lakes before the war on Mississauga Point was demolsihed. 

By July, the fort was deemed defensible, just in time as an American invading army once again crossed the Niagara River. 

--Brock-Perry