GREAT LAKES CRUISES
  • Cruise the Great Lakes
    • Lake Erie Cruises
    • Lake Huron Cruises
    • Lake Michigan Cruises
    • Lake Superior Cruises
    • Lake Ontario Cruises
    • St. Lawrence Seaway Cruises
    • New England Cruises
    • Great Lakes Attractions
  • Great Lakes Cruise Lines
    • American Queen Voyages
    • Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
    • Pearl Seas Cruises
    • Ponant Explorers Cruises
    • Seabourn Cruises
    • Silversea Cruises
    • St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
    • Viking Expedition Cruises
    • Windstar Cruises
  • Cruise Itineraries
    • Great Lakes Cruise Itineraries >
      • American Queen Itineraries >
        • American Queen 16 Day - Chicago Roundtrip (2023-2024)
        • American Queen 13 Day - Montreal to Chicago (2023-2024)
        • American Queen 11 Day - Montreal to Detroit (2023)
        • American Queen 11 Day - Toronto to Chicago (2023-2024)
      • Pearl Seas Itineraries >
        • Pearl Seas 12 Day - Great Lakes & Georgian Bay (2022-2023)
        • Pearl Seas 8 Day - Great Lakes Cruise (2022-2023)
      • Ponant Itineraries >
        • Ponant 8 Day - Voyage Along the Great Lakes with Smithsonian Journeys (2022-2023
        • Ponant 8 Day - Great Lakes of North America (2022-2023)
      • Viking Itineraries >
        • Viking 15 Day - Great Lakes Collection Cruise (2023)
        • Viking 8 Day - Great Lakes Explorer Cruise (2022)
        • Viking 8 Day - Niagara & the Great Lakes Cruise (2022)
        • Viking 8 Day - Undiscovered Great Lakes Cruise (2022)
    • Canada & St. Lawrence Cruise Itineraries >
      • Pearl Seas 16 Day - Canadian Maritime & St Lawrence Seaway (2022-2023)
      • Pearl Seas 11 Day - Canada & New England Fall Foliage (2022-2023)
      • Ponant 13 Day - St Lawrence River to the American East Coast
      • Viking 16 Day - Canada & the Atlantic Coastline (2023)
      • Viking 13 Day - Canadian Discovery Cruise (2022)
      • Windstar 12 Day - Southeast Canadian Explorations (2022-2023)
    • Canada & New England Cruise Itineraries >
      • American Queen 11 Day - Montreal to Boston (2022-2024)
      • American Queen 9 Day - Boston to St John (2022-2023)
  • Engage an Expert
  • Great Lakes Cruise Ships
    • American Queen | Ocean Voyager & Ocean Navigator
    • Pearl Seas | Pearl Mist
    • Ponant | Explorers Cruise Ships
    • Victory | Victory I and Victory II
    • Viking | Expedition Cruise Ships
  • Destinations
    • Illinois Cruises >
      • Chicago IL Cruises
    • Maine Cruises >
      • Bar Harbor Maine Cruises
      • Portland ME Cruises
    • Canadian Maritime Cruises >
      • Charlottetown PEI Cruises
      • Halifax Nova Scotia Cruises
    • Massachusetts Cruises >
      • Boston MA Cruises
    • Michigan Cruises >
      • Detroit MI Cruises
      • Holland MI Cruises
      • Houghton MI Cruises
      • Mackinac Island MI Cruises
      • Marquette MI Cruises
      • Muskegon MI Cruises
      • Sault Sainte Marie MI Cruises
    • Minnesota Cruises >
      • Duluth MN Cruises
    • New York Cruises >
      • Alexandria Bay NY Cruises
      • Amsterdam NY Cruises
      • Buffalo NY Cruises
      • Clayton NY Cruises
      • Kingston NY Cruises
      • Niagara Falls NY Cruises
      • Oswego NY Cruises
      • Sylvan Beach NY Cruises
    • Ohio Cruises >
      • Cleveland OH Cruises
    • Ontario Cruises >
      • Little Current ON Cruises
      • Midland, ON Cruises
      • Niagara Falls ON Cruises
      • Niagara on the Lake ON Cruises
      • Parry Sound ON Cruises
      • Sault Sainte Marie ON Cruises
      • Thunder Bay ON Cruises
      • Toronto ON Cruises
    • Quebec Cruises >
      • Gaspé QC Cruises
      • Montreal QC Cruises
      • Quebec City QC Cruises
      • Tadoussac, Quebec
    • Thousand Island Cruises
    • Wisconsin Cruises >
      • Apostle Islands WI Cruises
      • Green Bay WI Cruises
      • Milwaukee WI Cruises
      • Sturgeon Bay WI Cruises
    • Great Lakes Highlights >
      • Great Lakes Lighthouses
      • Great Lakes Locks and Canals
      • Majestic Skylines
      • Natural Wonders
      • Native American Cultures of the Great Lakes Region
      • Great Lakes Sporting Arms
      • Great Lakes Cruising Coalition
      • Great Lakes Gardeners
      • Great Lakes Trolling Flies
      • Great Lakes Video
  • Great Lakes Cruises Library
    • Great Lakes Literary History
    • Great Lakes Book
  • Great Lakes Cruise News
  • Contact

Fort York - Toronto, Canada

Fort York

TORONTO, CANADA

Urban Toronto Canada was birthed out of a military event between the United States and Britain’s alliance to the natives of the Ohio country who were encapsulated in a terrible conflict with the capital to Toronto from the vulnerable border town Niagara. 

Toronto, a civilian settlement having been given the name Toronto, was renamed York.  It began to grown and flourish and during the early years Fort York had a big role in the economic and social development. 
John Graves Simcoe who had moved the capital to Toronto from Niagara, had never really built the strong defenses he had intended to for York.  Simcoe’s log structures deteriorated fast so his successors built new barracks in the late 1790’s.  Then in 1800, the lieutenant governors house was built on the present fort site.  By 1807, Anglo-American relations deteriorated again.  Major General Isaac Brock strengthened Fort York in 1811 as he anticipated there would be hostiles.  

In 1812, war was declared by the United States and so Canada was invaded.  In 1813, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy attacked York with a force of 2700 men on fourteen ships and schooners and they were armed with eighty five cannons.  In opposing forces, the British, Canadians, Mississaugas, and Ojibways had twelve cannons.  The Americans stormed ashore under the cover of naval guns.  The defenders put up a good fight but succumbed to Fort York due to overwhelming odds.  

A British commander, Major-General Sir Roger Sheaffe, retreated to the East and blew up the fort’s gunpowder magazine in such a huge deadly explosion.  In all, 250 Americans died and/or were wounded from the blast. The total loss during the six hour battle was 320 Americans, and 157 British. The Mississaugas and Ojibways retreated into the forest and the local militia surrendered the town.  

For six days, the Americans managed to occupy York by destroying supplies, looting homes, and burning the Government and Parliament Buildings.  In 1814, Fort York managed to repel the American squadron when it tried to enter the Toronto Bay.  

By 1815, York had received word the War of 1812 had ended the past December.  By 1814, the British to vengeance by capturing Washington and burnt the White House, Capitol, and some other public buildings.  

​In 1813, the Americans headed back to York to finish what they started and burn the remaining structures.  By 1814, Fort York managed to hold off the U.S. squadron when it tried to enter Toronto Bay.  Peace had finally returned to the region due to a successful invasion.

- OPEN TO THE PUBLIC -
- Wednesday - Sunday | 11:00AM - 5:00PM | Last tour starting at 3:30 -
- A variety of different activities are offered daily - 
- Please check website for specifics & advance ticket purchases -  

Picture
Picture
Picture

Learn more about  Fort York National Historic Site by visiting their website.  
​Address: ​ 250 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto, ON  M5V 3K9
Phone: 416-392-6907

Updated 10/02/20- LLS

CRUISES BY CITY

Alexandria Bay Cruises
Amsterdam Cruises​
Apostle Islands Cruises
Bar Harbor Cruises
Boston Cruises
Buffalo Cruises
Clayton Cruises
Charlottetown Cruises

Chicago Cruises
Cleveland Cruises
Detroit Cruises
Duluth Cruises
Gaspe Cruises
Green Bay Cruises
Halifax Cruises
Holland Cruises
Houghton Cruises
Kingston NY Cruises
Little Current Cruises
Mackinac Island Cruises
Marquette Cruises
​
Midland Cruises
Milwaukee Cruises
Montreal Cruises
Muskegon Cruises
Niagara Falls NY Cruises
Niagara Falls ON Cruises
Niagara On The Lake Cruises
​Oswego Cruises
Parry Sound Cruises
Portland Cruises
Quebec City Cruises
Sault St. Marie MI Cruises
Sault St. Marie ON Cruises
Sturgeon Bay Cruises
Sylvan Beach Cruises
​Tadoussac Cruises
Thunder Bay Cruises
Toronto Cruises

CRUISES BY WATERWAY

Lake Superior Cruises
Lake Michigan Cruises
Lake Huron Cruises
Lake Erie Cruises
Lake Ontario Cruises
St. Lawrence Seaway Cruises

CRUISES BY STATE OR PROVINCE

Canadian Maritimes Cruises
​Illinois Cruises

Maine Cruises
Massachusetts Cruises
Michigan Cruises
Minnesota Cruises
New York Cruises
Ohio Cruises
Ontario Cruises
Quebec Cruises
Thousand Island Cruises
Wisconsin Cruises
1395 Brickell Ave, Suite 800
Miami FL 33131
​Toll Free: +1-888-756-9008
​Email: info@GreatLakesCruises.com

OUR COMPANY

About
​Subscribe
​Contact Us

Engage an Expert
Yucatan Cruises
​Cuba Cruises
​New England Cruises
​European River Cruises

oUR SITE

Great Lakes Cruises
2022 Great Lakes Cruises
2023 Great Lakes Cruises
2024 Great Lakes Cruises
Great Lakes Destinations
Great Lakes Cruise Itineraries
Great Lakes Cruise Lines
Great Lakes Attractions

our GREAT LAKES CRUISE LINES

American Queen Voyages
Pearl Seas Cruises
​Viking Expeditions Cruises
​Windstar Cruises
Ponant Explorers Cruises
Seabourn Cruises
Silversea Cruises
​St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
Hapag Lloyd Cruises
© COPYRIGHT 2023
​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
 GREAT LAKES CRUISES
Part of the Authentic Voyages Group
Picture
  • Cruise the Great Lakes
    • Lake Erie Cruises
    • Lake Huron Cruises
    • Lake Michigan Cruises
    • Lake Superior Cruises
    • Lake Ontario Cruises
    • St. Lawrence Seaway Cruises
    • New England Cruises
    • Great Lakes Attractions
  • Great Lakes Cruise Lines
    • American Queen Voyages
    • Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
    • Pearl Seas Cruises
    • Ponant Explorers Cruises
    • Seabourn Cruises
    • Silversea Cruises
    • St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
    • Viking Expedition Cruises
    • Windstar Cruises
  • Cruise Itineraries
    • Great Lakes Cruise Itineraries >
      • American Queen Itineraries >
        • American Queen 16 Day - Chicago Roundtrip (2023-2024)
        • American Queen 13 Day - Montreal to Chicago (2023-2024)
        • American Queen 11 Day - Montreal to Detroit (2023)
        • American Queen 11 Day - Toronto to Chicago (2023-2024)
      • Pearl Seas Itineraries >
        • Pearl Seas 12 Day - Great Lakes & Georgian Bay (2022-2023)
        • Pearl Seas 8 Day - Great Lakes Cruise (2022-2023)
      • Ponant Itineraries >
        • Ponant 8 Day - Voyage Along the Great Lakes with Smithsonian Journeys (2022-2023
        • Ponant 8 Day - Great Lakes of North America (2022-2023)
      • Viking Itineraries >
        • Viking 15 Day - Great Lakes Collection Cruise (2023)
        • Viking 8 Day - Great Lakes Explorer Cruise (2022)
        • Viking 8 Day - Niagara & the Great Lakes Cruise (2022)
        • Viking 8 Day - Undiscovered Great Lakes Cruise (2022)
    • Canada & St. Lawrence Cruise Itineraries >
      • Pearl Seas 16 Day - Canadian Maritime & St Lawrence Seaway (2022-2023)
      • Pearl Seas 11 Day - Canada & New England Fall Foliage (2022-2023)
      • Ponant 13 Day - St Lawrence River to the American East Coast
      • Viking 16 Day - Canada & the Atlantic Coastline (2023)
      • Viking 13 Day - Canadian Discovery Cruise (2022)
      • Windstar 12 Day - Southeast Canadian Explorations (2022-2023)
    • Canada & New England Cruise Itineraries >
      • American Queen 11 Day - Montreal to Boston (2022-2024)
      • American Queen 9 Day - Boston to St John (2022-2023)
  • Engage an Expert
  • Great Lakes Cruise Ships
    • American Queen | Ocean Voyager & Ocean Navigator
    • Pearl Seas | Pearl Mist
    • Ponant | Explorers Cruise Ships
    • Victory | Victory I and Victory II
    • Viking | Expedition Cruise Ships
  • Destinations
    • Illinois Cruises >
      • Chicago IL Cruises
    • Maine Cruises >
      • Bar Harbor Maine Cruises
      • Portland ME Cruises
    • Canadian Maritime Cruises >
      • Charlottetown PEI Cruises
      • Halifax Nova Scotia Cruises
    • Massachusetts Cruises >
      • Boston MA Cruises
    • Michigan Cruises >
      • Detroit MI Cruises
      • Holland MI Cruises
      • Houghton MI Cruises
      • Mackinac Island MI Cruises
      • Marquette MI Cruises
      • Muskegon MI Cruises
      • Sault Sainte Marie MI Cruises
    • Minnesota Cruises >
      • Duluth MN Cruises
    • New York Cruises >
      • Alexandria Bay NY Cruises
      • Amsterdam NY Cruises
      • Buffalo NY Cruises
      • Clayton NY Cruises
      • Kingston NY Cruises
      • Niagara Falls NY Cruises
      • Oswego NY Cruises
      • Sylvan Beach NY Cruises
    • Ohio Cruises >
      • Cleveland OH Cruises
    • Ontario Cruises >
      • Little Current ON Cruises
      • Midland, ON Cruises
      • Niagara Falls ON Cruises
      • Niagara on the Lake ON Cruises
      • Parry Sound ON Cruises
      • Sault Sainte Marie ON Cruises
      • Thunder Bay ON Cruises
      • Toronto ON Cruises
    • Quebec Cruises >
      • Gaspé QC Cruises
      • Montreal QC Cruises
      • Quebec City QC Cruises
      • Tadoussac, Quebec
    • Thousand Island Cruises
    • Wisconsin Cruises >
      • Apostle Islands WI Cruises
      • Green Bay WI Cruises
      • Milwaukee WI Cruises
      • Sturgeon Bay WI Cruises
    • Great Lakes Highlights >
      • Great Lakes Lighthouses
      • Great Lakes Locks and Canals
      • Majestic Skylines
      • Natural Wonders
      • Native American Cultures of the Great Lakes Region
      • Great Lakes Sporting Arms
      • Great Lakes Cruising Coalition
      • Great Lakes Gardeners
      • Great Lakes Trolling Flies
      • Great Lakes Video
  • Great Lakes Cruises Library
    • Great Lakes Literary History
    • Great Lakes Book
  • Great Lakes Cruise News
  • Contact