Fort Malden National Historic Site

The Fort played an important role in both the War of 1812 and the Rebellion of 1837. The site, located along the Detroit River, includes original earthworks, restored barracks and an interactive museum.

For 200 years, fortifications at Fort Malden have witnessed and participated in the struggles which helped forge a new nation out of the North American wilderness. An army garrison, British Indian Department post, dockyard for the Upper Great Lakes and the meeting place for Chief Tecumseh and British General Brock - the fort has been all these. Fort Malden preserves elements of the second fort built by the British on the eastern bank of the Detroit River to defend the Canadian border from American attack in the first half of the 19th century.

The first post, known as Fort Amherstburg, was constructed in 1796 near the mouth of the Detroit River where it empties into Lake Erie. This post was the headquarters for the British forces in southwestern Upper Canada during the War of 1812. Fort Malden was erected after the war and rebuilt in 1838-40 and served once again as a centre for the British defence during the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837-39. Today the 4.5 hectare site includes remains of the 1840-period earthworks and four buildings, including a restored and furnished 1819 brick barracks.

An orientation centre and interpretation centre with exhibits will help you to discover the fascinating history of this outpost of the British Empire.