Historic Sites in Fort Erie.

Old Fort erie

Location: 350 Lakeshore Road at Dominion St.
Open: Grounds open all year. Buildings open in season, spring through fall.  
Admission: Welcome centre and giftshop free. Admission fee for fort and museum.  
Open until Thanksgiving Day Oct. 14, 2024. 7 days/week 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Re-opens evenings at Hallowe'en .
See Events page.

Old Fort Erie is a restored stone British military fort established in 1764. it was a major landmark on the Niagara Frontier, and played a major part in the War of 1812-14. Tours of the fort are available. The Welcome Centre contains a museum and gift shop. Re-enactments of the Siege of Fort Erie in 1814 take place every summer, re-enactments of Fenian invasion in 1866 in  occasional years.  See Events page.

Battle of Ridgeway National Historic Site

Location: 3408 Garrison Road (Hwy #3).
Open: Grounds open all year.
Admission: Free

This park is dedicated to those who fought in the Battle of Ridgeway, which took place during the Fenian invasion in 1866. The park contains a battlefield house, a cairn, various interpretive plaques, a billboard timeline, and a designated tree. The cottage on the site was standing during the Battle, and was used for sheltering wounded soldiers. It was originally located on Ridge Road in the midst of the battlefield and was moved here in 1976 by the Bertie Historical Society.

Port Abino Lighthouse

Location: Port Abino Rd. South, Port Abino. 
Open: Victoria Day to Labour Day.
Admission: Free for pedestrians. Charge for bus tour.

The Point Abino Lighthouse sits on the edge of the rocky shore.  The building was constructed by the Canadian government in 1917-18,  and  is considered one of the most elegant lighthouses in Canada. It was designed in the Classical Greek Revival style by engineer William P. Anderson.  The tower contains a Diaphone Foghorn, and a 3rd order hand cut Fresno Lens believed to be made by Chance Brothers of England. There is also a Lighthouse Keeper’s Dwelling, designed in the “Arts & Crafts” style, which was built adjacent to the site, and still stands. As the road to the lighthouse is on private land, the site is only accessible during the summer season, by foot at certain hours, or by guided bus tours. 

Railway Museum

Location: 400 Central Ave., north of Gilmore Rd. 
Open: Grounds open all year. Buildings open in season, Victoria Day through Labour Day.
Admission: Free. Donations appreciated.

Three pieces of railroad history combine to from the Railway Museum. The building on the right is the original station from the International Railway Bridge, built in 1873 by the Grand Trunk Railway Company.  The building now houses the museum office and gift shop. On the left is the Grand Trunk  station from the village of Ridgeway, which houses railway memorabilia.   Both buildings are open for browsing during the summer. The central artifact of the museum is the old steam engine known as 6218. This CNR train was the last steam engine to carry passengers in Canada. Behind the engine is a caboose.

Erie Beach Amusement park ruins

Location: Waverly Beach Park, 271 Helena St. 
Open: All year. 
Admission: Free

This wooded area is now a public park, accessed at the east end of Waverly Beach Park. There is a concrete promenade partway along the lake, and a soft trail through the wood. Started as a picnic ground in 1885, this amusement park was famous throughout Ontario and Western New York until 1930. Old ruins are visible throughout, including the outdoor swimming pool, the pier, the circular Tumblebug and the Old Mill chutes. The swinging plane ride, pictured at left, collapsed in 2020.

Mewinza Gallery Exhibit

Location: Peace Bridge Authority Building (Atrium),
 100 Queen St. at Central Avenue 
Open: Business hours, Monday to Friday, all year. Ring bell for access.
Admission: Free. 

Mewinzha means “A Long Time Ago”. This exhibit contains native artifacts dating back to about 2000 BC, that have been found along the Niagara River and Lake Erie.  The main items were discovered at the archeological dig at the Peace Bridge site when the Customs Facility was upgraded in 1992 – 1995.  Here you can see stone spear points, arrowheads, tools, pottery shards, fishnet sinkers, pipes and gorgets. The highlight is a ceramic vessel that was rebuilt from a myriad pieces and which still contained the remnants of dinner – fish soup.  In the corner under the stairs you will see the skeleton of a pet dog reposing peacefully.

Fort Erie Racetrack

Location: Bertie St. at corner of Thompson Ave.
Open: Spring through fall season.
Admission: Free.  Parking free. 
Live racing and special events all summer. Check their website. 

Founded in 1897, the Fort Erie Racetrack is one of the odlest tracks in Canada. It is also one of the prettiest on the continent, being landscaped with a pond, trees a nd flowers. This track is still fully operational. The iconic Prince of Wales Stakes, second leg of the  Canadian Triple Crown, takes place here every year. The famous race horse, Northern Dancer, got his start here.