Fort Malden

Fort Malden is a fort that stands on the remains of Fort Amherstburg in Amherstburg, Ontario. The original fort was abandoned by the British/Canadians in 1813 when Southwest Ontario fell into American hands. The Americans began building a smaller replacement fort on the same site, but this was unfinished at the end of the war, when the region was returned to the British Empire. The fort was finally rebuilt between 1838 and 1840 and served as an important staging area for the 34th (Cumberland) Regiment of Foot that participated in actions around Essex county Ontario during the Upper Canada Rebellion from 1837 to 1838. This fort lasted until 1851 when the last regular forces occupied the site. During the final days of the fort, it was garrisoned by members of The Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment until it was finally de-militarized.

From 1859 to 1870, Fort Malden was a lunatic asylum (during which period many of the surviving trees were planted to provide shade).

Abandoned once again, the fort was acquired as a park by the Government of Canada in 1937 and remains a National Historic Site of Canada to this day known as Fort Malden National Historic Site.

The original stone barracks still stand, as do the cooking and laundry facility that were erected during the fort's time as an asylum (it now serves as a museum building). Staff can be seen wearing the uniform of the 34th Regiment of Foot for the Canadian Rebellion period and as well the Caldwell's Western Rangers who served during the War of 1812.

Famous quotes containing the word fort:

    There was a deserted log camp here, apparently used the previous winter, with its “hovel” or barn for cattle.... It was a simple and strong fort erected against the cold, and suggested what valiant trencher work had been done there.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)