Note: The Old Fort Niagara Historic
Site is located within the State Park. The hours
of operation and admission fees differ between the two.
Seasons:
The State Park is open year-round.
The Historic Site is closed on Jan. 1; Thanksgiving
(US); Dec. 25.
State Park
hours: Dawn to dusk. The park's pools are usually open from Memorial
Day through Labor Day. Call (716) 745-7273 for
specifics. Historic Site hours: January through June: 9am -
5pm;
July through August: 9am - 7pm;
September through December: 9am - 5pm
The last admission each day is one-half hour prior to
closing time.
State Park
fee (in US dollars): $8 per vehicle parking
fee; $8 for trailers. Historic Site admission fee (in US dollars):
If you show your State Park vehicle admission ticket, the value of
the vehicle fee will be deducted from the Historic Site
admission.
Adults: $10.00;
Children (6 to 12 years old): $6.00;
Children (under 6 years old): FREE. A $1 discount is given for Senior Citizens; AAA/CAA
members; NYS Parks Master Pass coupon; Guests of Old
Fort Niagara Association Members.
Group rates for Historic Site
admission are available for groups of 12 or more.
Advanced reservations are not required, but recommended.
Call (716) 745-7611 for more details.
Fort
Niagara State Park Route 18F
Youngstown, NY 14174
Park office: (716) 745-7273
Park police: (716) 278-1777
nysparks.state.ny.us
Old Fort Niagara
Historic Site Old Fort Niagara Association
PO Box 169
Youngstown, NY 14174-0169
Phone: (716) 745-7611
Fax: (716) 745-9141
oldfortniagara.org
Parking:
Parking is available in the many lots in the State Park,
as well as a large lot at the Historic Site. There is space for hundreds of cars and nearly 25 trailers.
For specific locations, see the interactive map below. Handicap accessibility: Yes. The restrooms,
nature center, swimming pool and parts of the Historic Site are
handicap friendly. Pets: Household pets are allowed in the State Park.
They must be caged or on a leash not more than 6 feet.
Not allowed in bathing areas, buildings or on improved
walkways and boardwalks. Pets are not allowed in the
Historic Site. State Park amenities: Picnic tables; grills;
pavilions/shelters (5); restrooms (5); playgrounds (3); ball
fields; swimming pool; bathhouse; sledding hill; snack
bar; hiking/ski trails; historic markers.
Historic Site amenities: Benches, restrooms,
self-guided tour, historical markers, snack bar, gift
shop, scheduled tours, demonstrations. Swimming: There is an Olympic-size swimming pool,
waterslides, a wading pool and bathhouse adjacent to the
Historic Site.
Map. Swimming in the River or Lake is not allowed in
this park. Boat launch: Two fully-equipped trailer launches are
located on the Niagara River within the State Park.
Map. There is a fee for launch access. Fishing: Fish from boat along the Niagara or on
Lake Ontario. Fish from shore along the Lake (best in
the northeast corner), or from the boat launch site on
the banks of the Niagara. A cleaning station is located
near the boat launch.
Located at the mouth of the Niagara River
at Lake Ontario, Fort Niagara State Park and the
Old Fort
Niagara Historic Site offers visitors excellent
opportunities for both family recreation and historical
exploration. The State Park covers picnicking,
fishing, hiking, boating, swimming, athletic sports
and natural history; while the
Historic Site preserves and showcases the remarkable military
saga that took place here over the last three hundred
years.
The State Park is a
well-groomed recreation facility, with numerous playing
fields, swimming pools and ample opportunities to enjoy
the River and Lake. The shoreline Sun Lawn slopes
towards Lake Ontario as if to offer natural stadium
seating to gorgeous sunsets and, on a clear day,
Toronto's skyline. The boat launches on the Niagara
allow easy access to both the River and Lake's best
views and world-class fishing.
With Olympic-sized swimming pool,
waterslides, and wading pool, hot summers bring families
in droves. Blankets and chairs dot the shoreline lawns,
and the park shelters cater to parties of all sizes. A
snack bar serves up fast-food for anyone who didn't pack
a picnic and it has tables overlooking Lake Ontario.
With plenty of open space, the park hosts soccer, rugby,
Frisbee and various other games and tournaments
throughout the year.
Old Fort Niagara, situated between the
River, Lake and the Park, is an impressive living museum.
Topped with the flags of the three nations that once
held the Fort, the restored buildings and skillful reenactors tell the story of the post's rich martial
history. Carefully reconstructed rooms and artifacts
give visitors a glimpse into life during the
centuries-long-struggle for control over the Great Lakes
during America's infancy.
The buildings and fortifications that
make up the fort in its current incarnation are the
accumulation of French, British and American occupations
since 1679 when the French Fort Conti was first
established here. The junction between the Niagara and
Lake Ontario was the gateway to the Great Lakes and the
west. Whoever controlled access to the river and the
support of the native Seneca Nation had the strategic advantage. The fort came under siege multiple times and
changed hands throughout its history, as nations
struggled to control the world's largest inland
waterway.
The War of 1812 was Fort Niagara's
last armed conflict and after 1916 it served only as a
peaceful border post for the most part. For the Civil
War the complex was extended outside the Old Fort walls
into the "New Fort," which now serves as the State Park. US soldiers were
trained and garrisoned here through both World Wars and
up until 1963. Today, the US Coast Guard is the only
military presence left. Their station is located outside
the fortification walls to the south, along the Niagara.
Restoration of the Old Fort began in
1926 and was completed in 1934. In 2006 a multi-million
dollar Visitor Center opened and now serves as both a
museum and gateway to the Old Fort. The museum has
interactive exhibits, an information desk, and features
the original US flag flown over the fort during the War
of 1812 , sealed in a climate- controlled preservation
room. The not-for-profit Old Fort Niagara Association
works in cooperation with the New York State Office of
Park, Recreation and Historic Preservation to preserve,
to restore and maintain the Old Fort. They organize regular
demonstrations, educational programs and exciting
reenactments. Even those that glazed over history in
school, will
perk up when the soldiers start marching and the cannons
and muskets start crackling.
Difficulty:
Easy. Markings: Trailheads are
labeled and trails are clearly defined with color markings. Distance:
Two miles of wooded trails. Several miles of roadside
walking. Description:
The Lake Shore Trail is a short looping trail
that can be accessed from the lake shore in the
northeast corner of the park near the entrance and the
Robert Moses State Parkway. Extending across the Parkway
and down the wooded eastern border of the park is the
Range Trail. It can be accessed from the
cemetery grounds near the playing fields.
The Sun Lawn and the pebble beach along
Lake
Ontario is also an excellent spot for a short walk.
Other hiking opportunities can be found by following the
looping park roads.
The self-guided tour to the Old Fort is also an
excellent opportunity for a walk. Pick up the guide at
the admission desk. Map: Official Park Map (pdf)
The Governor
of New France,
Jacques-Rene de Brisay, Marquis de
Denonville constructed Fort
Denonville on the former site of Fort
Conti. The purpose of the new fort was to
"control" the native Seneca population.
Severe winter weather, pressure from Seneca
warriors, and lack of supplies decimated the
100 soldiers stationed there.
September 1688
-
The French
abandoned the post and the stockade was
pulled down. The Seneca tribe of the
Iroquois
Nation had successfully reestablished
dominance over the Niagara region.
1725
-
The French
met with Iroquois leaders at Onondaga, in
central New York, to ask permission to build
a peaceful outpost at the site. Permission
was granted.
1726
-
The French
built the two story "Maison A
Machicoulis" (referred to today as the "French
Castle"). It was used as a peaceful
trading post and embassy to the Iroquois.
Despite its peaceful intentions, it was
enclosed in a wooden stockade to help
protect it from hostile natives. The French
again controlled access to the west through
the Great Lakes.
The
French and Indian War begins. By this time
the post had long since served as a guardian
of the portage rather than the peaceful
trading post the French told the Iroquois it
was for. The war
led to additional fortifications and
expansion of the complex.
The British
maintain control of the Fort, using it as a
loyalist base during the American
Revolutionary War. Fort Niagara becomes notorious
for drinking, brawling, whoring, and
cheating. Crude taverns, stores, and
bordellos sprouted on "the Bottom," the
riverside flat below the fort.
1783
-
America
becomes independent with the signing of the
Treaty of Paris, and Fort Niagara was
ceded to the new country. British loyalists
still occupied the Fort.
1796
-
The
Jay Treaty turns over control of the
Fort to the United States Military. British
loyalists are granted asylum in Canada.
1812
-
War breaks out between British North
America (Canada) and the United States.
The War of
1812 ends with the signing of the
Treaty of Ghent and the Fort is ceded,
yet again, to the United States. The Fort
then served as a garrison and training
grounds for troops needed for wars of the
American westward expansion.
1840s-1850s
-
With the
United States' westward expansion winding
down, the need for military presence at the
Fort waned and it was abandoned for most
of this time. In 1941 it was granted
from the State of New York to the United
States.
1861-1865
-
The
American Civil War was underway and
fearing British interference from the north,
the United States garrisons troops at the Fort again.
Fortifications are increased and artillery
upgrades are made, but never used.
Post Civil War
-
Inadequacies
found during the Civil War garrison resulted
in an expansion beyond the "Old Fort" to
what is referred to as New Fort Niagara.
Modern buildings were built outside of the
old fortifications, primarily for quartering
personnel; rifle ranges were set up; and a
rail line extended to the fort to facilitate
faster troop movement. Military convicts
were imprisoned here during the 1870s.
1893
-
A US Coast Guard Station was
established on the bank of the Niagara below
the Fort. This station is still in service
today.
1920s
-
The shift of
activity from the Old Fort to the New Fort
left the old structures in a state of
neglect. The French Castle was in danger of
collapse. The 28th Infantry Regiment
occupied the New Fort and times of peace and
American prosperity led to a relaxed
atmosphere at the Fort.
1927-1934
-
In an effort
to save the French Castle, the Old Fort
Niagara Association is founded in 1927.
Federal and private funding was secured and
restoration of the Castle and adjacent sea
wall completed by 1929. Further action
from the Association rehabilitated other
structures by 1934.
June 1938
-
The Officer's Club building
(that still stands today in the State Park) opens, replacing
the original structure that was destroyed by
fire. The design is inspired by the French
Castle in the Old Fort.
1940-1943
-
In
preparation for world conflict, the role of
the Fort was downgraded, being too small for
large-scale training facility. The 28th
Infantry Regiment was moved south to train and Fort
Niagara then served as a reception center for new
recruits.
1944-1946
-
Fort Niagara
served as a camp for German prisoners of
war.
1945
-
After the war, Fort buildings
were used as temporary housing for veterans.
1950s
-
The
Fort houses engineers and workers from
various
NIKE missile bases in the region.
1950-1963
-
The
Korean War brought active servicemen
back to the fort.
1965-1966
-
Although planning to convert
the Fort to a park began years ago, the
demolition of garrison buildings began in
1965 and park development finally started.
Of the 100 buildings on the base, most were
demolished. The State of New York took over
the demilitarized site and Fort Niagara
State Park was created.
Drag the map to move around and use the
Zoom Ladder on the right to zoom in.
Zooming in will show more points of interest. Click on
the icons for more information.
Provisions Storehouse Constructed by the
British in 1762, this building stored up to
7,000 barrels of food for the post. The
original construction stood two stories
high. In later years it also served as a stable
and barracks.
Powder Magazine Constructed by the French
in 1757, this reinforced building stored
black powder and munitions up until as late as
1929. In 1826, Freemason critic
William Morgan was held prisoner here
and his mysterious disappearance sparked a nation-wide
anti-Masonic movement. Today the structure
houses exhibits on Fort archeology.
Dauphin Battery and Gate of the Five
Nations From 1756 to the early
1800s the entrance to the Fort was here. The
French named the Gate in honor of the Five
Nations of the
Iroquois Confederacy. The drawbridge was
protected by the Dauphin Battery. The five
cannons that point across the river to Fort
George in Canada were placed here in the
1840s. The gatehouse and battery were
reconstructed in 1931. On a clear day, one
can see the Niagara escarpment to the south
from here.
South Redoubt Constructed by the
British in 1770, this tower protected the
main gate and housed artillery on its open
deck. The ground floor was a fortified
gateway to the rest of the Fort, and the
first floor housed up to 20 guards. The
redoubt, under American control at the time,
was breeched by attacking British on
December 19, 1813, the night they seized the
Fort during the War of 1812.
18-Pounder Battery During the War of 1812,
The American-held Fort Niagara regularly
exchanged artillery barrages with the
British-held Fort George across the Niagara
River in Canada. These massive guns were set
up towards Canada in the 1840s, but were
never fired as an act of war. From here you
can see the stone lighthouse (built in 1871)
and New Fort Niagara (now the State Park),
which began housing and training various
military units after the Civil War.
Scarp Walls and Casemate Gallery The raised earth walls
were originally constructed in 1755 by the
French, but were reinforced with brick and
concrete between 1863 and 1872 to house
artillery. The US made these improvements
due to increasing tensions with British
Canada during the American Civil War. Rifle
and cannon slits were constructed, but border
tensions eased before any artillery were set up
here.
Land Defenses The raised earth walls
were originally constructed in 1755 by the
French, but were reinforced with brick and
concrete by the Americans in the 1860s along
with the adjacent Casemate Gallery (Point
#6). The
Sally Port was added at this time,
allowing troops to enter the Fort from this
side. Dry ditches and pointed
ravelins were
designed to channel attackers towards cannon
fire and keep them from clearly aiming
artillery at fortifications. The land
barriers here were reconstructed to appear
as they would during 1759, just
before the British capture.
Three Historic Flags The three flags
commemorate the three nations that that have
held Old Fort Niagara. The first were the
French from 1726 to 1759, represented by the
white flag of the French Marine Department.
The British occupied the Old Fort from 1759
to 1796, represented here by the modern flag
of the United Kingdom. The US flag, the 15
star, 15 stripe version is flown to
represent US occupation from 1796 to 1818.
The British did recapture the Fort in 1813
for a brief time. The original US flag they
took in that capture was returned in 1994
and is now housed in the Fort's museum.
North Redoubt Constructed by the
British in 1771, this tower watched and
protected the Fort from Lakefront. The ground floor of the North redoubt
contained a powder magazine and the first
floor housed up to 20 soldiers. The style is
influenced by Roman archway doors and windows
and a Chinese-style rooftop.
Millet Cross Erected by the Knights of
Columbus in 1926, this copper cross
commemorates the French soldiers of Fort
Denonville, the precursor to Fort Niagara.
The ill-fated winter of 1687-88 brought
disease and starvation to this harsh
frontier post. Only 12 of the 100 garrisoned
men survived. The inscription on the cross
reads REGN. VINC. IMP. CHRS." (Regnat,
Vincit, Imperat, Christus) translated as
"Reign, Conquer, Command, Christ."
Father Pierre Millet erected a wooden cross
and conducted mass for the doomed garrison on this
site in 1688.
Rush-Bagot Memorial Following the War of
1812, armament agreements between the United
States and Great Britain began. The
Rush-Bagot Treaty, named for convention
negotiators Acting United States Secretary
of State Richard Rush and British Minister
to Washington Sir Charles Bagot, provided
for the demilitarization of the Great Lakes
and Lake Champlain. The unfortified,
four-thousand mile border between the US and
Canada is the fruit of this effort. The
memorial was dedicated in 1934.
French Castle Constructed in 1726 by
the French, the two-story "Maison a
Machicoulis" is the oldest building in the
Fort as well as in the Northeast United States.
Designed by French chief engineer Gaspard-Joseph
Chaussegros de Lery, it was intended to
look like a trading post in order to appease
Iroquois suspicions of a French stronghold
in their territory.
In reality, it was a fortress capable of
withstanding attacks from native Indians.
Under the guise of a "House of Peace" the
building garrisoned soldiers and Fort
Niagara grew around it. As new buildings
were added to the Fort, the Castle's role
evolved. It became a residence for officers
as additional barracks were constructed
outside the Castle. It continued to serve
various military officers to as late as WWI.
The Castle was restored from
1926 to 1933 to roughly the 1727 French
occupation configuration. The ground floor
has recreations of storerooms, a powder
magazine, bakery and guardhouse. The eastern
end houses a reconstructed Trade Room,
showing various artifacts that were stored
and traded with the Indians. The second
floor contains living quarters and the
chapel, one of the earliest permanent
churches in Western New York. The attic
reveals the Castle's function as a defensive
stronghold and artillery platform. Cannon
fire pounded British-controlled Fort George
from here during the War of 1812.
The moniker "French
Castle" was most likely adopted in later
years (1830s) when American solders were
stationed here.
Bakehouse The original French
bakery was destroyed in a fire in 1761 and
this one was constructed by the British in
1762. The oven foundations are the
originals. Bread was baked here to nourish
garrisons up until 1870.
LaSalle Monument Built in 1934, this
monument commemorates French explorer
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle,
who established Fort Conti on this site in
1679.
River Defenses When the British
established
Fort Mississauga on the other side of
the Niagara River in 1814, the Americans
needed better river-side armaments. From
1839 to 1841 the river wall was constructed.
The Hot Shot Furnace was used to heat
cannonballs to searing temperatures to set
buildings and ships on fire.
Log Cabin / Gift Shop / Snack Bar Built in 1932, and now
housing a gift shop and snack bar, the Log
Cabin represents one built by the French in
1757. Proceeds from the sales go to
supporting operations at Old Fort Niagara.
The
3rd lighthouse built at Fort Niagara, it was
constructed in 1872 by the US government
after the previous wooden one was damaged by
a tornado. The octagonal limestone tower was
originally set at 50 ft high and a small oil
storage room was built at the base. The Fresnel
lens from the old tower was used and the
tower lit up for the first time on June 10,
1872.
In 1900 the
tower was raised an additional 11 feet with
the addition of a watch room between the
lamp and the limestone tower. You can
clearly see the brick addition above the
original limestone masonry. Lifting the lamp
those extra feet extended the reach of the
light to 25 miles. Adjacent to the
lighthouse is the keeper's quarters, a
colonial-style home that now serves as a
private residence.
The Coast Guard ran the
light here until 1993, when nearby tree
overgrowth began to inhibit the light's
visibility from the River and Lake. A modern
steel beacon tower was erected near the
Coast Guard station and the Old Fort Niagara
Association now runs the old tower as a
small museum and gift shop. The original
Fresnel lens is now on display in the Fort's
museum.
May 14 - 15, 2011
- Civil War Artillery School Civil War artillerists
and infantry perfect their craft during this
spring training weekend.
May 28 - 29,
2011-
Soldiers through the Ages
A Memorial Day weekend tribute to Niagara's
veterans. Special displays and
demonstrations depict military life from the
18th through the 20th centuries. Activities
10 am - 4 pm Saturday and Sunday. Join the
Youngstown Veterans of Foreign Wars on
Memorial Day, Monday, at 11:00 am at the War
of 1812 Cemetery for a service in memory of
our fallen veterans.
June
-
June 10 - 12, 2011
- Symposium- 1812: A War of Many Faces
Old Fort Niagara will host a
special Symposium entitled 1812: A War of
Many Faces on June 10-12, 2011. The
three-day event, underwritten by the New
York Council for the Humanities, will bring
six top scholars to Niagara County for a
series of presentations about the people who
were touched by the conflict.
Included at the podium
will be author, storyteller and artist
Darren Bonaparte and authors Donald R.
Hickey, Ph.D., Dr. William S. Dudley, Donald
Graves, Dianne Graves, and Major John
Grodzinski, Ph.D. Speakers will examine the
experiences of soldiers and sailors from
both sides of the war, as well as the
struggle's impact on women and Native
Americans.
The conference will lead
off with a Friday night reception at Old
Fort Niagara. Lectures will take place
throughout the day on Saturday in the
Village of Youngstown. The conference will
conclude with a special walking tour of the
Fort called “Bayonets Before Daybreak” on
Sunday morning.
Lectures are free and open
to the public but all participants must
register by April 30 by calling (716)
745-7611 ext 230. A meal plan including the
Friday evening reception, breakfast, lunch,
and dinner on Saturday is available for
$65.00. Friday reception, breakfast, and
lunch only is $25.00.
Reservations and
pre-payment are required. Call Old Fort
Niagara at (716) 745-7611 ext. 230 to
register. Meal reservations by pre-payment
(credit card) only.
July
-
July 1 - 3, 2011
- French and Indian War Encampment
Old Fort Niagara's largest
event of the year. Join hundreds of
re-enactors as we re-create the siege of
1759. Battle demonstrations, sutlers and
artisans, Native programming, pageantry, fun
for the entire family.
August
-
August 13 - 14, 2011
- Soldiers of the Revolution Forces of Crown and
Congress do battle outside the Fort as we
recreate the frontier war of the American
Revolution. Living history programs, battle
demonstrations, hands-on activities for the
entire family.
September
-
September 3 - 4,
2011 - War of 1812 Encampment
American and British forces
recreate the War of 1812 on the Niagara
Frontier. Programs daily from 10 am - 4 pm
and a night battle depicting the British
capture of Fort Niagara on Saturday at 7pm.
October
-
October 7, 2011
- Friday on the Frontier
School program about the
American Revolution with interactive
activities for elementary school students.
October 22, 2011
- The Haunted Fortress
Explore the dark and
forbidding corridors of Old Fort Niagara and
encounter the spirits of the past.
October 29, 2011
- The Haunted Fortress
Explore the dark and
forbidding corridors of Old Fort Niagara and
encounter the spirits of the past.
November
-
November 4, 2011
- French Heritage Day
Over twenty learning stations
bring 18th century New France alive for
middle and high school students.
Pre-registration is required. Students
$6.00, Adults $8.00, teachers free.
December
-
December 4, 2011
- Holiday Open House and Auction
Old Fort Niagara's annual
holiday open house and silent auction from
1:30 - 4:00 pm. Stop in to enjoy good cheer,
cookies, and good friends. The Castle will
be decorated by the award winning Youngstown
Garden Club
December 10,
2011 - The Castle by Candlelight
Tour the French Castle by
candlelight, meet characters from the 18th
century and see a grand feu de joie in honor
of the holiday season.
December 17,
2011 - The Castle by Candlelight
Tour the French Castle by
candlelight, meet characters from the 18th
century and see a grand feu de joie in honor
of the holiday season.
The
3rd lighthouse built at Fort Niagara, it was
constructed in 1872 by the US government
after the previous wooden one was damaged by
a tornado. The octagonal limestone tower was
originally set at 50 ft high and a small oil
storage room was built at the base. The Fresnel
lens from the old tower was used and the
tower lit up for the first time on June 10,
1872.