Fort Erie, Ontario

Fort Erie
Town (lower-tier)
Town of Fort Erie

The Peace Bridge between Fort Erie and Buffalo.

Location of Fort Erie within Niagara Region
Fort Erie

Location in Ontario

Coordinates: 42°55′N 79°01′W / 42.917°N 79.017°W / 42.917; -79.017Coordinates: 42°55′N 79°01′W / 42.917°N 79.017°W / 42.917; -79.017
Country  Canada
Province  Ontario
Regional Municipality Niagara
Government
 • Mayor Wayne H. Redekop
 • MP Rob Nicholson
 • MPP Wayne Gates
Area[1]
 • Land 166.27 km2 (64.20 sq mi)
Population (2016)[1]
 • Total 30,710
 • Density 184.7/km2 (478/sq mi)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Forward Sortation Area L2A
Area code(s) 905, 289, 365
Highways  Queen Elizabeth Way
 Highway 3
Website www.forterie.ca

Fort Erie is a town on the Niagara River in the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada. It is directly across the river from Buffalo, New York and is the site of Old Fort Erie which played a prominent role in the War of 1812.

Fort Erie is one of Niagara's fastest growing communities, and has experienced a high level of residential and commercial development in the past few years. Garrison Road (Niagara Regional Road 3) is the town's commercial corridor, stretching east to west through Fort Erie.

Fort Erie is also home to other commercial core areas (Bridgeburg, Ridgeway, Stevensville and Crystal Beach) as a result of the 1970 amalgamation of Bertie Township and the village of Crystal Beach with Fort Erie.

Crystal Beach Amusement Park occupied waterfront land at Crystal Beach, Ontario from 1888 until the park's closure in 1989. The beach is part of Fort Erie.[2]

Geography

Fort Erie is generally flat, but there are low sand hills, varying in height from 2 to 15 metres, along the shore of Lake Erie, and a limestone ridge extends from Point Abino to near Miller's Creek, giving Ridgeway its name. The soil is shallow, with a clay subsoil.

The town's beaches on Lake Erie, most notably Erie Beach, Crystal Beach and Bay Beach, are considered the best in the area and draw many weekend visitors from the Toronto and Buffalo areas. While summers are enjoyable, winters can occasionally be fierce, with many snowstorms, whiteouts and winds whipping off Lake Erie.

Communities

In addition to the primary urban core of Fort Erie, the town also contains the neighbourhoods of Black Creek, Bridgeburg/NorthEnd/Victoria, Crescent Park, Crystal Beach, Point Abino, Ridgeway, Snyder, and Stevensville. Smaller and historical neighbourhoods include Amigari Downs, Bay Beach, Buffalo Heights, Douglastown, Edgewood Park, Erie Beach, Garrison Village, Mulgrave, Oakhill Forest, Ridgemount, Ridgewood, Rose Hill Estates, Thunder Bay, Walden, Wavecrest and Waverly Beach.

Erie Beach is a designated place in Canadian census data; it had a population of 199 in 2006.

Fort Erie Secondary School and Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School are the two public high schools serving Fort Erie and area communities.

Climate

Climate data for Fort Erie (1981−2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 15.0
(59)		 16.5
(61.7)		 25.0
(77)		 32.0
(89.6)		 31.0
(87.8)		 34.0
(93.2)		 34.5
(94.1)		 35.5
(95.9)		 31.7
(89.1)		 29.0
(84.2)		 22.5
(72.5)		 18.0
(64.4)		 35.5
(95.9)
Average high °C (°F) −0.2
(31.6)		 1.0
(33.8)		 5.1
(41.2)		 11.8
(53.2)		 18.3
(64.9)		 23.3
(73.9)		 26.1
(79)		 25.5
(77.9)		 21.6
(70.9)		 15.0
(59)		 8.7
(47.7)		 2.8
(37)		 13.2
(55.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) −4.1
(24.6)		 −3.3
(26.1)		 0.4
(32.7)		 6.6
(43.9)		 12.7
(54.9)		 18.1
(64.6)		 21.2
(70.2)		 20.6
(69.1)		 16.7
(62.1)		 10.4
(50.7)		 4.9
(40.8)		 −0.8
(30.6)		 8.6
(47.5)
Average low °C (°F) −8
(18)		 −7.6
(18.3)		 −4.3
(24.3)		 1.4
(34.5)		 7.1
(44.8)		 12.8
(55)		 16.1
(61)		 15.5
(59.9)		 11.7
(53.1)		 5.8
(42.4)		 1.1
(34)		 −4.3
(24.3)		 4.0
(39.2)
Record low °C (°F) −28.5
(−19.3)		 −31
(−24)		 −25.5
(−13.9)		 −12
(10)		 −4.5
(23.9)		 1.0
(33.8)		 5.5
(41.9)		 1.5
(34.7)		 −1
(30)		 −6.1
(21)		 −15.5
(4.1)		 −24.5
(−12.1)		 −31
(−24)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 78.9
(3.106)		 66.6
(2.622)		 71.0
(2.795)		 78.8
(3.102)		 93.2
(3.669)		 81.7
(3.217)		 84.7
(3.335)		 88.5
(3.484)		 105.4
(4.15)		 96.7
(3.807)		 102.8
(4.047)		 103.2
(4.063)		 1,051.3
(41.39)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 34.2
(1.346)		 32.8
(1.291)		 44.7
(1.76)		 74.4
(2.929)		 92.3
(3.634)		 81.7
(3.217)		 84.7
(3.335)		 88.5
(3.484)		 105.4
(4.15)		 95.3
(3.752)		 89.9
(3.539)		 52.5
(2.067)		 876.3
(34.5)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 44.7
(17.6)		 33.8
(13.31)		 26.3
(10.35)		 4.4
(1.73)		 0.9
(0.35)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 1.4
(0.55)		 12.9
(5.08)		 50.7
(19.96)		 175.0
(68.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 15.8 12.2 12.2 13.2 13.0 11.4 10.4 10.2 11.4 12.9 14.7 15.2 152.3
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 5.9 5.0 7.9 12.3 13.0 11.4 10.4 10.2 11.4 12.9 12.8 7.9 120.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 10.6 8.0 5.4 1.5 0.08 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.08 2.9 8.2 36.6
Source: Environment Canada[3]

History

The Fort Erie area contains deposits of flint,[4] and became important in the production of spearheads, arrowheads, and other tools. In the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, the Niagara Peninsula was inhabited by the Neutral Nation, so named by the French because they tried to remain neutral between the warring Huron and Iroquois peoples. In 1650, during the Beaver Wars, the Iroquois Confederacy declared war on the Neutral Nation, driving them from their traditional territory by 1651, and practically annihilating them by 1653.

The reconstructed Fort Erie

After the Treaty of Paris, which ended the French and Indian War and transferred Canada from France to Britain, King George III issued the Royal Proclamation of 1763, establishing a "proclamation line", the territory beyond which (including what is now Southern Ontario) would be an Indian Reserve. This was an attempt to avoid further conflict with the Indians, although it did not forestall Pontiac's War the following year. The British also built a string of military forts to defend their new territory, including Fort Erie, the first version of which was established in 1764.

During the American Revolution Fort Erie was used as a supply depot for British troops. After the war the territory of what is now the Town of Fort Erie was settled by soldiers demobilised from Butler's Rangers, and the area was named Bertie Township in 1784.

The original fort, built in 1764, was located on the Niagara River’s edge below the present fort. It served as a supply depot and a port for ships transporting merchandise, troops and passengers via Lake Erie to the Upper Great Lakes.[5] The fort was damaged by winter storms and in 1803, plans were made for a new fort on the higher ground behind the original. It was larger and made of flintstone but was not quite finished at the start of the War of 1812.[6][5]

During the war, the Americans attacked Fort Erie twice in 1812, captured and abandoned it in 1813, and then recaptured it in 1814. The Americans held it for a time, breaking a prolonged British siege. Later they destroyed Fort Erie and returned to Buffalo in the winter of 1814.

Map of various Underground Railroad routes

The Fort Erie area became a major terminus for slaves using the Underground Railroad (between 1840 and 1860); many had crossed into Canada from Buffalo, New York. Bertie Hall (which was used for a time in the 20th century as a Doll House Museum) may have been a stopping point on the Underground Railroad although some sources dispute this as a "legend".[7][8]

In 1866, during the Fenian raids, between 1,000 and 1,500 Fenians crossed the Niagara River, occupied the town and demanded food and horses. The only payment they were able to offer was Fenian bonds; these were not acceptable to the citizens. The Fenians then cut the telegraph wires and tore up some railway tracks. Afterwards, they marched to Chippewa and the next day to Ridgeway where they fought the Battle of Ridgeway, a series of skirmishes with the Canadian militia.[9] The Fenians then returned to Fort Erie and fought the Battle of Fort Erie (1866), defeating the Canadian militia. Fearing British reinforcements, they then decided to retreat to the U.S.[10][11]

In 1869 the population was 1000 and Fort Erie was served by the Grand Trunk and the Erie & Niagara railways. The Grand Trunk Railway built the International Railway Bridge in 1873, bringing about a new town, originally named Victoria and subsequently renamed to Bridgeburg, north of the original settlement of Fort Erie. By 1876, Ridgeway had an estimated population of 800, the village of Fort Erie has an estimated population of 1,200, and Victoria boasted three railway stations.[12] By 1887, Stevensville had an estimated population of "nearly 600", Victoria of "nearly 700", Ridgeway of "about 600", and Fort Erie of "about 4,000".[13]

In 1888, the amusement park at Crystal Beach opened. From 1910, the Canadiana (and until 1929, the SS Americana) brought patrons from Buffalo until 1956. The park continued to operate until it closed in 1989. A gated community was built in this area.[14][15]

In 1904, a group of speculators bought land at Erie Beach, planning to build an amusement park and other amenities, and sell lots around the park to vacationers from Buffalo. Erie Beach featured a hotel, a casino, a race track, regular ferry service from Buffalo and train service from the ferry dock in Fort Erie, and what was billed as the world's largest outdoor swimming pool. Erie Beach and Crystal Beach were in competition to provide bigger thrills to patrons, until Erie Beach went bankrupt during the Depression and closed down on Labour Day weekend, 1930.[16]

The Niagara Movement meeting was held at the Erie Beach Hotel[17] in 1905. The movement later led to the founding of the NAACP.

The Point Abino Light Tower was built by the Canadian government in 1918. The lighthouse has been automated in 1989. Since its decommissioning in 1995, the Point Abino Lighthouse was designated as a National Historic Site. The lighthouse is now owned by the Town of Fort Erie and is available for weekend tours in the summer.

On August 7, 1927 the Peace Bridge was opened between Fort Erie and Buffalo.

On January 1, 1932, Bridgeburg and Fort Erie amalgamated into a single town.

The ruins of Fort Erie remained until they were rebuilt through a depression era "work program" project, as a tourist attraction. Work started in 1937, and the Fort was opened to the public in 1939.

In 1970, the provincial government consolidated the various villages in what had been Bertie Township, including the then town of Fort Erie, into the present Town of Fort Erie.

Demographics

The 2016 Census of Canada indicates a current population of 30,710 for Fort Erie. This is a 2.5% increase over the last Census (2011).[1] The median household income in 2005 for Fort Erie was $47,485.00, which is below the Ontario provincial average of $60,455.00.[18]

Canada 2006 Census Population % of Total Population
Visible minority group
Source:[19] 		South Asian 225 0.8%
Chinese 365 1.2%
Black 300 1%
Filipino 50 0.2%
Latin American 410 1.4%
Arab 40 0.1%
Southeast Asian 45 0.2%
West Asian 30 0.1%
Korean 85 0.3%
Japanese 20 0.1%
Other visible minority 35 0.1%
Mixed visible minority 20 0.1%
Total visible minority population 1,620 5.5%
Aboriginal group
Source:[20] 		First Nations 750 2.5%
Métis 150 0.5%
Inuit 0 0%
Total Aboriginal population 940 3.2%
White 26,985 91.3%
Total population 29,545 100%
Census Population
1871 835
1901 890
1911 1,146
1921 1,546
1931 2,383
1941 6,566
1951 7,572
1961 9,027
1971 23,113
1981 24,096
1991 26,006
2001 28,143
2006 29,925
2011 29,960
2016 30,710

According to the 2001 census, the population was 28,143, broken down as follows: 92.8% White, 3.2% Aboriginal, 1.4% Chinese, 0.9% Black, and a very small percentage of Asian, Arab, and Hispanic populations.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Highway access

Fort Erie has been the Niagara terminus of the Queen Elizabeth Way since 1937. Road traffic continues to Buffalo, New York across the Peace Bridge, which was built in 1927.

Fort Erie was the Eastern terminus of King's Highway 3A from 1927 to 1929, and Ontario Highway 3 from 1929 until 1998, when the portion of Highway 3 within Fort Erie was downloaded to the Regional Municipality of Niagara and redesignated as Niagara Regional Road 3. Within Fort Erie, Highway 3 is named Garrison Road, and is the major East-West connection through the town. Dominion Road was designated as King's Highway 3C from 1934 until 1970, when it was downloaded to the newly formed Regional Municipality of Niagara and redesignated as Niagara Regional Road 1.

For Erie is the Southern Terminus of the Niagara Parkway, which extends from Fort Erie to Fort George.

Public transit

Public transit is provided by the Town of Fort Erie Transit System, which operates two buses in the town.[21]

Niagara Transit operates a service from Niagara Falls into Fort Erie, connecting with the Fort Erie Transit bus at Wal Mart Plaza at 750 Garrison Road.[22]

Intercity transit

Private intercity coach services are primarily operated by Coach Canada and Greyhound, with connections to Hamilton and Toronto and to US destinations via Buffalo.[23] The terminus is located at Robo Mart, 21 Princess Street at Waterloo Street.

The International Railway Bridge was built in 1873, and connects Fort Erie to Buffalo, New York across the Niagara River. There is currently no passenger rail service to Fort Erie.

Waterways

Fort Erie is at the outlet of Lake Erie into the Niagara River. The lake and river serve as a playground for numerous personal yachts, sailboats, power boats and watercraft. There is a marina at the site of a former shipyard at Miller's Creek on the Niagara River, and a boat launch ramp in Crystal Beach.

Prior to the completion of the two bridges, passengers and freight were carried across the river by ferry.

From 1829, when the Welland Canal first opened, to 1833, when the cut was completed to Port Colborne, ship traffic between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario would transit the upper Niagara River.

Utilities

In order to reduce large-scale ice blockage in the Niagara River, with resultant flooding, ice damage to docks and other waterfront structures, and blockage of the water intakes for the hydro-electric power plants at Niagara Falls, the New York Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation have jointly operated the Lake Erie-Niagara River Ice Boom since 1964. The boom is installed on December 16, or when the water temperature reaches 4˚ Celsius (C) (39˚ Fahrenheit (F)), whichever happens first. The boom is opened on April 1 unless there is more than 650 square kilometres (250 square miles) of ice remaining in Eastern Lake Erie. When in place, the boom stretches 2,680 metres (8,800 feet) from the outer breakwall at Buffalo Harbor almost to the Canadian shore near the ruins of the pier at Erie Beach in Fort Erie. Originally, the boom was made of wooden timbers, but these have been replaced by steel pontoons.[24]

Sports and recreation

Attractions

Hiking

Fort Erie is the Eastern terminus of the Friendship Trail, and the Southern terminus of the Niagara River Recreation Pathway. Both trails are part of the Trans-Canada Trail system.

Parks

Mather Arch Park, located just to the South of the Peace Bridge, is on land donated by American citizen Alonzo C. Mather in tribute to the peace and friendship between Canada and the United States. The park contains Mather Arch, which was built largely due to donations by Mather, originally dedicated by the Niagara Parks Commission in 1939, and restored in 2000 as a millennium project. There is also a memorial statue to those from Fort Erie who died in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.[25]

Sports

Baseball

Golf

Hockey

Soccer

Current teams

Team League Sport Venue Established Championships
Fort Erie Meteors Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Ice hockey Fort Erie Leisureplex 1957 0 (1 in previous leagues)
Fort Erie Cannons Niagara District Baseball Association Baseball Oakes Park 2005 2

Notable people

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 2016 Census Profile
  2. ↑ http://www.forteriecanada.com/tourism/crystalbeach.shtml
  3. ↑ "Fort Erie, Ontario". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment Canada. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  4. ↑ Old Fort Erie: History
  5. 1 2 "Old Fort Erie History ". Niagara Parks, Canada. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  6. ↑ https://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-falls-attractions/old-fort-erie-history.html
  7. ↑ https://books.google.ca/books?id=muBtFTkFH_EC&pg=PA220&dq=fort+erie+underground+railroad&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjVpYyavsXTAhXrz4MKHe41BN8Q6AEIRDAF#v=onepage&q=fort%20erie%20underground%20railroad&f=false
  8. ↑ https://books.google.ca/books?id=lgV3CQAAQBAJ&pg=PT110&dq=fort+erie+underground+railroad+bertie+hall&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjK-q3SvcXTAhUMw4MKHbtCAtIQ6AEIKTAB#v=onepage&q=fort%20erie%20underground%20railroad%20bertie%20hall&f=false
  9. ↑ http://www.qor.com/history/ridgeway.html
  10. ↑ https://qormuseum.org/history/timeline-1856-1899/the-fenian-raid-1866/
  11. ↑ For the figure of 850, see: H.W. Hemans to Lord Monck, telegram June 3, 1866, in [s.n.] Correspondence Relating to the Fenian Invasion and Rebellion of the Southern States, Ottawa: 1869. p. 142; also Colonel Lowry, Report, June 4, 1866, Miscellaneous Records Relating to the Fenian Raids, British Military and Naval Records "C" Series, RG8-1, Volume 1672; Microfilm reel C-4300, p. 282. (Public Archives of Canada)
  12. ↑ Bertie Township
  13. ↑ The Township Papers of Bertie Township, Welland County
  14. ↑ http://www.exploringniagara.com/places_to_explore/forgotten_places/crystal_beach_amusement_park.html
  15. ↑ http://sscanadiana.com/facts.html
  16. ↑ http://www.exploringniagara.com/places_to_explore/forgotten_places/erie_beach_amusement_park.html
  17. ↑ "Niagara Movement First Annual Meating" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  18. ↑ "Fort Erie, Ontario - Detailed City Profile". Retrieved 2009-09-20.
  19. ↑ , Community Profiles from the 2006 Census, Statistics Canada - Census Subdivision
  20. ↑ , Aboriginal Peoples - Data table
  21. ↑ Transit Schedule
  22. ↑ For Erie Fall Service Update
  23. ↑ Getting Around Fort Erie
  24. ↑
  25. ↑ Niagara Park Commission: Historic Plaques & Markers, accessed 10 September 2016.
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