Fort Erie, Border municipality in Niagara Region, Canada
Fort Erie is a border town in the Niagara Region that stretches along the Niagara River and Lake Erie shoreline. It sits at the southeastern edge of Ontario, directly across from Buffalo, New York.
A military fort was built in 1764 to serve as a crucial supply base for British colonial operations in the region. The fortress endured several battles and sieges during the War of 1812.
Between 1840 and 1860, many Black freedom seekers made their way here through the Underground Railroad and built new lives across the river from slavery. This history remains central to how locals understand their town as a place of refuge.
The Peace Bridge connects this town to Buffalo and handles thousands of vehicles and pedestrians crossing daily at the customs checkpoint. Visitors should expect wait times at the border and carry valid travel documents.
Each August, the town hosts reenactments of the 1814 siege, with hundreds of participants dressed in period uniforms recreating the battles. This annual event brings the old fort to life for visitors.
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