The Grand Trunk Railway built the International Railway Bridge in 1873, bringing about a new town, originally named Victoria and subsequently renamed to Bridgeburg, north of the original settlement of Fort Erie. In 1869 the population was 1,000 and Fort Erie was served by the Grand Trunk and the Erie & Niagara railways. Fearing British reinforcements, they then decided to retreat to the U.S. The Fenians then returned to Fort Erie and fought the Battle of Fort Erie, defeating the Canadian militia. Afterwards, they marched to Chippewa and the next day to Ridgeway where they fought the Battle of Ridgeway, a series of skirmishes with the Canadian militia. The Fenians then cut the telegraph wires and tore up some railway tracks. The only payment they were able to offer was Fenian bonds these were not acceptable to the citizens. In 1866, during the Fenian raids, between 1,000 and 1,500 Fenians crossed the Niagara River, occupied the town and demanded food and horses. Along with Little Africa, the other two areas of settlement were Bertie Hill and Snake Hill (Erie Beach). The area of Ridgemount was one of the three main areas in Fort Erie settled by African-Americans, earning it the name 'Little Africa'. Bertie Hall (which was used for a time in the 20th century as a Doll House Museum) may have been a stopping point on the Underground Railroad. The Fort Erie area became a major terminus for slaves using the Underground Railroad (between 18) many had crossed into Canada from Buffalo, New York. Map of various Underground Railroad routes Later they destroyed Fort Erie and returned to Buffalo in the winter of 1814. The Americans held it for a time, breaking a prolonged British siege. ĭuring the war, the Americans attacked Fort Erie twice in 1812, captured and abandoned it in 1813, and then recaptured it in 1814. It was larger and made of flintstone but was not quite finished at the start of the War of 1812. The fort was damaged by winter storms and in 1803, plans were made for a new fort on the higher ground behind the original.

It served as a supply depot and a port for ships transporting merchandise, troops and passengers via Lake Erie to the Upper Great Lakes. The original fort, built in 1764, was located on the Niagara River's edge below the present fort. After the war the territory of what is now the Town of Fort Erie was settled by soldiers demobilised from Butler's Rangers, and the area was named Bertie Township in 1784. During the American Revolution Fort Erie was used as a supply depot for British troops.

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