Fort Ontario

Fort Ontario is a military installation in Oswego featuring a distinctive star-shaped design with thick stone walls. The complex includes bastions, ammunition storage areas, barracks, and officer quarters positioned to overlook Lake Ontario and the Oswego River below.

British forces built the original fortification in 1755 during the French and Indian War to control the strategic waterway. The current structure was completed in 1844 following several reconstructions and modifications over the decades.

The fort served as a refuge for Jewish survivors of Nazi persecution from 1944 to 1946, making it an important place of remembrance for this tragic period. Visitors can reflect on this extraordinary humanitarian role while exploring the grounds.

The site is open to visitors from May through October with guided tours and exhibits available throughout the grounds. Wear comfortable walking shoes since the property includes multiple buildings and pathways to explore.

A military cemetery on the grounds contains 77 graves of officers, soldiers, women, and children who died while stationed here. These burial sites span two centuries of the fort's military operations and community life.

Location: Oswego

Inception: 1839

GPS coordinates: 43.46583,-76.50806

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:41