Online Encyclopedia
Fort Erie, Ontario
Fort Erie (2001 population 28,143) is a town on the Niagara River in Ontario, Canada. It is located directly across from Buffalo, New York.
The town started when a British military fort, Fort Erie was constructed in 1764. During the American Revolution it was used as a supply depot for British troops. When the War of 1812 started, the troops stationed at Fort Erie were caught off guard due to the fort being in the middle of rebuilding. The Americans held it for a time, fending off two British attacks. Later they destroyed Fort Erie and returned to Buffalo in the winter of 1814. The ruins remained until they were rebuilt as a tourist attraction in 1939.
On August 7, 1927 the Peace Bridge was opened between the Town of Fort Erie and the City of Buffalo, New York.