FORT WILLOW ~ Barrie, Ontario CANADA
Posted by: 
Juicepig
N 44° 23.686 W 079° 49.260
17T E 593896 N 4916396
Quick Description: Fort willow was constructed in haste during the war of 1812 to protect vital supply lifelines to British troops fighting in Michigan and lake Superior.
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 8/27/2008 6:25:35 PM
Waymark Code: WM4HTW
Views: 80
Long Description:In the Summer of 1813, the Americans took control of Lake Erie, and
a new route between York and the Michigan invasion fleet was
required. A fur trade route called the 9-mile portage became a
vital link, a fur-trappers route between Lake Simcoe at Barrie
(which didn't exist yet) and the Minesing Swamp which led to
Georgian Bay.
Atop the hill overlooking the swamplands a pine fortress was
erected to secure the high grounds above the swamp and protect the
route.
Fort Willow consisted of several log houses, a barn, and two
blockhouses (strong points for defence), surrounded by a stout
palisade measuring 180 feet by 250 feet and beyond that was a
string of earthworks and trenches. The garrison numbered 250 men at
its peak. It was the only dot of civilization for over 70
kilometres, short of the odd native encampment and trading
house.
Life was not nice at the fort. Summer living was "malarial", and
winter was quite inhospitable. Often to discipline British troops
they would be sent here as labourers.
As with most regiments in the war of 1812, soldiers were almost
entirely Canadian born. They made up a regiment based here called
the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles. The RNF were able to capture and
maintain Fort Mackinac for the remainder of the war, despite being
the most bloodied of all Canadian regiments.
After the war had been won, Fort willow and the RNF were
disbanded.
Without the efforts of the RNF and other regiments, Canada would
no doubt have been removing vowels from their vocabulary, and
voting for a "democratic" party in the next election.