Fort Gratiot

Fort Gratiot is a military fort in Port Huron at the point where Lake Huron and the Saint Clair River meet. The site now lies partly within Pine Grove Park and features archaeological remains and markers that show traces of the buildings that once stood here.

The fort was built in 1814 during the War of 1812 to guard the shipping route between the lakes. It served as part of American control over the Great Lakes region during this critical period.

The fort was an important place for early American presence in the Great Lakes region and demonstrated the military architecture of frontier fortifications of that era. Visitors can still see today how soldiers lived and worked at this strategic waterway junction.

The site is part of a public park and can be visited freely, with archaeological remains accessible via walking paths. Visitors should expect uneven ground and be prepared for weather conditions, especially near the water.

Excavations in the 1980s revealed that the fort had been built in multiple phases, beginning with a wooden stockade. Later structures included specialized buildings such as a hospital for the soldiers stationed there.

Location: Port Huron

GPS coordinates: 42.99500,-82.42806

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:30