Fort Willow | |
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| Location | Within Fort Willow Conservation Area in Minesing, Ontario |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 44°23′42.82345″N 79°49′17.5941″W / 44.3952287361°N 79.821553917°W / 44.3952287361; -79.821553917 |
| Built | c1812 |
Fort Willow was a strategically located fortified supply depot during the War of 1812. The area was also actively used for centuries by the First Nations, the fur trade and French Explorers as part of a major transportation route known as the Nine Mile Portage.
The Fort Willow site sits on the historic Nine Mile Portage route. This route was used by First Nations people for hundreds of years to travel between Kempenfelt BayonLake Simcoe and Willow Creek, a tributary of the Nottawasaga River. From the Nottawasaga River, it was then possible to reach Georgian BayonLake Huron. French explorers and fur traders later followed this route.[1] The portage had come to the attention of the British armed forces by 1793.[2]
Restorations and archaeological investigations have located and outlined the former buildings used by the soldiers. Information kiosks provide a thorough history of the area's past use and how its location helped ensure the geographical boundaries of Canada today.
After archaeological research, the area of Fort Willow has been partially reconstructed by the Fort Willow Improvement Group. The site is in Springwater Township, approximately 10 km west of downtown Barrie, Ontario. The outline of various buildings as well as explanatory signs have been installed.[2]
