Battle of New Orleans.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Historic Fort George-- Part 12: Conversion Into Historic Site

On 21 May 1921 the site was named as a National Historic Site of Canada and a stone cairn placed on the site.  During the mid-1930s, the Department of National Defence accepted an offer from the Niagara Parks Commission to reconstruct and restore Fort George, Fort Mississauga and Navy Hall in return for a 99-year lease on all three properties for C$1 a year; although the Department reserved the right to reclaim the properties with a six-month's notice.

The commission began to restore Navy Hall in August 1937 which was followed by work on the fort's gunpowder magazine.  The fort's officers' quarters were moved  to another part of the fort.  The buildings erected during the First World War  were relocated outside the fort.

During this period, bulldozers were used to push the fort's earthen ramparts back into place.  The surrounding area was also cleared of undergrowth.  In 1939, the reconstruction of Fort George's former buildings and a visitor centre outside the fort took place.  White pine from northern Ontario was brought in for construction.

--Brock-Perry


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