Fort Mississauga is a British fort in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada. A community with a rich and complex history dating back to the original Loyalists of the late 1700s.
While Fort Mississauga itself has not seen any battle. They built it just after the War of 1812. The land, like much in Niagara-on-the-Lake, was a battlefield.
by Ghost Guide Daniel
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Sacred Land | Violence to Victory | Ghosts & The Soldier Log
FORT MISSISSAUGA EPISODE IS BELOW
Fort Mississauga Sacred Land
In 1813, the Americans took the town at that shoreline. In a swift and surprise attack. With soldiers rushing the beach as ships fired their cannons.
The point of the attack was just behind the Golf Course. A strange statement indeed. But that’s the location. Where Fort Mississauga stands today was the town’s original land point, and location of the lighthouse.
The British were not ready. Very quickly the violence escalated out of control. Slaughtering over 100 British soldiers. They said the roads ran with blood. In Niagara-on-the-Lake, and along the path the wounded took to retreat into the Town of Virgil.
This occupation eventually led to the Burning of Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake). Leaving behind only a few original structures, such as…
- Half of today’s Brockamour Manor.
- The MacFarland House on the Scenic Route.
- The Powder Magazine at Fort George.
How the Violence Led to Victory
The destruction of Niagara-on-the-Lake led to the British to retreat. Eventually ending up in Burlington Heights. This is the historic name of the area of Hamilton now home to Dundurn Castle and the Hamilton Cemetery.
They set up camp on the grounds of today’s Cemetery. We know this partly because of the ‘earthworks’. Small hills in the cemetery now hugging the Tuckett and Watkins’ Mausoleums.
Leading to the surprise night attack in Stoney Creek followed, all thanks to a young fellow named, Billy Green.
Legacy of Fort Mississauga
Just after the War of 1812, in 1814, Fort Mississauga was built. Under the supervision of General Gordon Drummond.
The original name was set to be Fort Riall. Named after a British General who was captured at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane.
For some reason, it was changed to Fort Mississauga.
Fittingly, considering the Mississauga’s were a Native settlement throughout Southern Ontario. And the occupying peoples on the land that became Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Memorializing it featuring William Kirby
The fort was memorialized by famed local author named William Kirby. He was the author of a successful novel, The Golden Dog. A romance set in ‘New France’, aka Quebec City.
When seeing Fort Mississauga (lived in town from 1857 to 1906) he wrote…
“The grey square tower that stands above the place of landing. Its walls thick as a feudal keep, with loopholes slashed, contain the wreck and ruin of the town.
“Fair Newark, once gay, rich and beautiful. By ruthless foe when fling in retreat, burnt down to blackened heaps of bricks and stones.
“From ruins of it’s walls and hearths were built, into the stern memorial of a deed. Unchivalrous, in days of war gone by.”
William Kirby
War Training & the Destroyed Tablet
Fort Mississauga did see some military use. For training soldiers during both World Wars and the Korean War.
And it’s looked as a great example of a lost part of Canadian history. The last remaining example of a Square Tower Fort within a star shaped fortification.
Sad fact … there was once a historic tablet on the building. Showing off the amazing designers. It once read…
“Built by Royal Engineers, 1815. Restored by the Royal Canadian Engineers, 1915.”
Destroyed Historic Tablet
The reason we don’t have it today … target practice! It was found after the War trainings. Damaged beyond repair and full of bullet holes.
Haunting History of Fort Mississauga
But despite its quiet history, Fort Mississauga is said to be haunted.
Sounds of Battle
According to a local legend, if you stand in the right spot, you’ll hear something. The sounds of war. Ghost cannons and distant men screaming in pain. Maybe from battle, or the many soldiers flogged (whipped) as a punishment for failure and defiance.
I can speak to the supposed Ghost Cannons. This is a common experience in town. Sometimes confused with the surrounding Vineyards and noisemakers made to scare off birds.
However, there was an experience on the Ghost Walks of Niagara-on-the-Lake proving it wasn’t the noisemakers.
This is a featured story! Join us on a tour …
GHOST WALKS OF NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
A Rare Historic Ghost
In 1871, a soldier named Andrew was stationed at Fort Mississauga for days.
On one night, he wrote the following in his log…
“Jim and I spread our blankets on the hard oak floor and slept as sound as a top. We had to wake up at 2am. Jim was on the gate and I on the ramparts.”
“It was pitch dark and time dragged. The only sound was the waves.”
“In the long two hours, we saw a dog, then later a tall figure in a black robe.”
“The figure gliding along the top of the wall swiftly. Jim saw it too. My knees shook under me. I fixed my bayonet, gave chase but it glided out of sight.”
“We said nothing about it, being afraid of the ridicule.”
Soldier Andrew’s Original Log
Power of Ridicule
Andrew’s account is a reminder of the power of fear. Not for ghosts … but ridicule!
We might have more stories like this from some of the most violent battlefields around the world. But soldiers were afraid to speak out from fear of humiliation.
Once day the skeptics may realize there’s more to life than material reality. That’ll be a good day.
Haunting Legacy
Today, Fort Mississauga stands as a testament to the region’s history. One the town is fixing up!
The Canadian Government has set about $6 million to restoration. To fix it up, ensure the structure and history for future generations.
And maybe one day open it up for us history-buffs to finally go inside!
2 replies on “Fort Mississauga is Historically Haunted | Niagara-on-the-Lake”
interesting article , been there to see , glad to hear it being restored
Thanks! Restored for sure. Opened for the Public … still up in the air.