THE HISTORY...

"Fort Henry, KINGSTON, Ont, was originally built during the WAR OF 1812 on Point Henry, beside Lake Ontario, to guard the outlet to the St Lawrence River and the Kingston Navy Yards. The strategic importance of the location increased after the completion of the RIDEAU CANAL, which provided a military supply route between Montréal, Bytown [Ottawa] and Kingston; the fortress was rebuilt between 1832 and 1837, the better to defend the end of the canal most vulnerable to American attack.

It was the principal fortress of UPPER CANADA (and also the largest), garrisoned by troops of the British army until 1870 and then by units of the Canadian Militia until 1891, when the fort was abandoned as a defensive structure.

In both world wars it housed PRISONERS OF WAR. In 1936 it was leased to the Ontario government, which had it restored as a historic park as part of a Great Depression works project. It was opened to the public in 1938 and again in 1948 after its second duty as an INTERNMENT camp.

Today, Fort Henry, a major attraction in a city that boasts many fine old buildings, is restored to its mid-1860 appearance, and houses refurnished buildings and a museum of military arms and equipment. During the summer the "Fort Henry Guard" demonstrates precision drill manoeuvres. Parks Canada manages Fort Henry as a national historic site (designated in 1923) and the Ontario government operates the site."

~ The Canadian Encyclopedia

Walking around the grounds, visitors will be impressed by the sheer size and display of military strength and they will see a number of historically significant buildings, structures and fortifications including:

• Stone walls over 10 metres (30 feet) high
  and 2 metres (6 feet) thick
• Advanced Battery (the highest point in the
  entire Kingston area)
• West Branch Ditch Tower
• Dry ditch (40 feet wide and 30 feet deep)
• Redoubt
• Curtain Wall
• Demi-bastions
• Branch Tower East
• West side well (the only part of the original fort still surviving)
• And many, many more including a couple
  of nearby Martello Towers.

THE HAUNTINGS...

Stories have been told for well over 100 years of the haunting of Fort Henry and the fort has even been featured on the popular show Ghost Hunters as they explored for paranormal activity.

Many visitors have reported seeing ghosts
and in particular those of:

• John "Gunner" Smith A rifleman whose weapon malfunctioned and exploded in his face, he fell from the forts wall into the dry ditch and screamed in agonizing pain as he died. May people have reported seeing an injured man lying in the ditch while others have reported hearing the sounds of people scurrying in the area.

• Nils Von Schultz A Finnish born nationalist that became involved in the Upper Canada Rebellion he was captured, tried and hung in 1838 after confessing he was full of remorse for mistakenly becoming involved in the insurrection. He is said to haunt Commanders Room #3 by moving objects around the room.

• The Wandering Ghost Many visitors have also reported seeing a man wearing a blue uniform wandering the fort at night.

THE ITINERARY

* Itinerary subject to change

WHAT TO BRING