The Best Historic Sites Along the Lake Ontario US Canada Border

The area along Lake Ontario is full of historical sites to explore. Lake Ontario is the eastern-most of the Great Lakes. It forms a 193-mile-long, 53-mile-wide border between Canada and the United States, particularly between New York State and the Canadian province of Ontario. The history of this region as a fortification during the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812, lives on in forts and historical restorations. You can also visit grand estates and historic sites which are full of the history of the Lake Ontario region's important role as a maritime commercial center of the 19th century. Both sides of the border offer opportunities to enjoy this legacy.

Canadian Side of Lake Ontario

Fort George National Historic Site of Canada
Fort George played a major role in the War of 1812. You can explore the fort at your leisure, or take a tour. The eight buildings have been beautifully restored, and costumed staff are well-informed about the history of the fort. They run tours from April through October. If you want a trip back 200 years, you will find Fort George fascinating!

Fort Mississauga National Historic Site is an important fort in Canada's history. During the War of 1812, the Canadians and British built the fort to defend the border from the American army. Fort Mississauga was one of a chain of forts along the Great Lakes border between Canada and the United States. In the 1900s, the fort was used to train Canadian military forces for both World Wars, and the Korean Conflict. Today, Fort Mississauga is located on the grounds of a golf club, but there is a pedestrian trail to the fort.

The town of Niagara on the Lake has the reputation as one of the prettiest towns in Canada, Niagara-on-the-Lake is also one of the most fascinating historically. This town retains its 19th century charm and you can explore its forts and grand mansions

United States Side of Lake Ontario

Fair Haven, New York is on Little Sodus Bay, a deep-water bay of Lake Ontario. It is a summer resort with charming cottages, and an old 1825 schoolhouse that is ow theLittle Red Schoolhouse Museum, a state and national historic site contains exhibits of early industry and other old artifacts. The Cottage Farm is an 1835 Greek Revival home built by a rich family. It is part of a district of Fair Haven containing homes of that architectural style.

In Little Falls, New York, you can visit the Herkimer Home State Historic Site. This Georgian-style mansion, built in 1764, was home to Revolutionary War hero Nicholas Herkimer, and you can see the interior and the grounds [including the family burial grounds], both of which are beautifully preserved.

Wayne County, in the Finger Lakes District [with Lake Ontario as its northern border] is the birthplace of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints [Mormon]. In the village of Palmyra, there are many historic sites, and every year the village hosts the Hill Cumorah Pageant, one of the oldest outdoor pageants in the country. http://www.fingerlakes.org/counties/wayne.htm

Whether you choose to vacation on the Canadian or American side of Lake Ontario, you will be charmed by 18th- or 19th-century charm, and the many historic sites will show the important history of this region.