Historic Sites of Interest Along Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario, America's north coast. Canada's south coast. Whichever side of this Great Lake you're on, there is plenty to see and do.

Buffalo, New York and the Erie Canal

A good start for your tour of Lake Ontario historical destinations is the city of Buffalo, New York. At one time Buffalo was the northern terminus of the Erie Canal. Here you can take a cruise on the canal, enjoy live music on Thursday evenings during the summer months , see working locks and visit the Erie Canal Heritage Museum. This piece of Americana, celebrated in song and art, can come alive for you. More information can be found at the following websites:

· Buffalo Niagara

· Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises

Fort Ontario

Travelling eastward along Lake Ontario will bring you to Oswego, New York, site of Fort Ontario. There have been various fortifications on the site of the present Fort Ontario since the British built The Fort Of Six Nations in 1755. The Fort has been destroyed and rebuilt many times since. In 1796 the Fort was turned over to the Americans. The British destroyed the Fort during the war of 1812. The Fort was last used by the United States as an emergency relocation center for victims of the Nazi Holocaust, the only such center in the United States. The site was turned over to the State of New York which developed it into a State Historical Site.

Today, visitors can see the fort as it was in 1868 with exhibits of fort life and living history demonstrations. More information can be found about Fort Ontario at the following websites:

· American Forts

· Friends of Fort Ontario

· New York State Parks: Fort Ontario State Historical Site

Sackets Harbor, New York

Sackets Harbor was a major military site during the War of 1812. It was the main shipyard for the United States. It was the site of a battle between British forces bent on destroying the shipyard and United States forces. There is a historical center on the site of the battlefield. More information on activities and sights in the Sackets Harbor area can be found at:

· New York State Parks: Sackets Harbor Battlefield Site

· Village of Sackets Harbor, New York

· 1000 Islands

Cape Vincent, Where Lake and River Meet

The Cape Vincent area of New York is where Lake Ontario spills into the Saint Lawrence River. The western gateway to the 1000 Islands. This area has a long history. Long being settled by various Indian tribes, the area was visited by Samuel de Champlain in 1615, five years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Since that time, the area has been home to many settlements and trading posts. During the War of 1812, it was home to what had been described as the most dangerous army post on the frontier. This was because of the large contingent of British troops in Kingston, Ontario. Today, the Cape Vincent area is known for it's attractions. From golf courses to bed and breakfasts, this area has plenty to see and do. From the Tibbetts Point Lighthouse, built in 1854 to many other historical sights and attractions, the Cape Vincent area is a must see in your tour of historical Lake Ontario. More information can be found at:

· Tibbetts Point Lighthouse

· 1000 Islands

· Cape Vincent History

· Cape Vincent Chamber of Commerce