Fort Amherstburg

Fort Amherstburg is a British military fortification in Amherstburg positioned where the Detroit River begins. The complex includes multiple bastions, barracks, and defensive structures constructed following British military design standards.

The fort was built in 1796 after the Jay Treaty forced Britain to abandon Fort Detroit to American control. It became a military stronghold during the War of 1812 before being significantly damaged by British forces in 1813.

Named after a British governor general, the site held deep significance for the region as a symbol of military control and protection. Visitors can observe how soldiers inhabited and worked here through the remaining buildings and period exhibits displayed throughout the grounds.

The grounds are best explored on foot, allowing you to walk along the bastions and take in views across the site. It helps to spend time visiting the exhibits inside the buildings to gain a complete picture of how the fortification was organized and used.

Sections of the north-west bastion come from the American reconstruction phase carried out after British forces destroyed the original fort. This blend of British original work and American repairs tells the complicated border history of this location.