Article

Fort Haldimand

Published Online February 7, 2006

Last Edited December 16, 2013

Fort Haldimand, located on the west promontory of Carleton Island at the east end of Lake Ontario, about 16 km offshore from Kingston, Ontario, was built by the British in 1778 during the American Revolution.

Fort Haldimand, located on the west promontory of Carleton Island at the east end of Lake Ontario, about 16 km offshore from Kingston, Ontario, was built by the British in 1778 during the American Revolution. Established as a military and commercial base of operations for British forces, and particularly their native allies, Fort Haldimand was largely replaced by Fort Oswego to the south in 1782. In the years immediately following the war, British and Loyalist activity in the area shifted to Cataraqui [Kingston], and Fort Haldimand soon fell into disrepair. Nonetheless, a token British presence remained, and 3 veterans surrendered to American troops in the first months of the War of 1812. Carleton Island was formally ceded to the US in 1817.