It was upon Queenston Heights that British, Canadian, and Native forces turned back one of the earliest and most threatening American attempts to invade Canada. Having crossed the Niagara River early on October 13, 1812, a small American force managed to capture the strategic heights above Queenston. However, they were isolated there and defeated, in part, because New York militia refused to cross into Canada and join them. The brilliant British general Isaac Brock was killed during what eventually proved a successful counterattack. There is much to see in the vicinity of Queenston Heights, now one of Canada’s many well-tended National Historic Sites. Located off the scenic Niagara Parkway and just across the Niagara River from the United States, the site offers an interpretive trail with plaques that highlight several key stages of the battle: the initial Attack (Marker 1), Wool’s climb up the Treacherous River Cliff (Marker 2), the Capture of the Redan and the Death of Brock (Marker 3), the Counteroffensive organized by Seaffe (Marker 4), and the Decisive Battle consisting of flank attacks on the American position (Marker 5). Also on the heights are the ruins of Fort Drummond and Fort Riall, a pair of British strong points constructed later in the war.

Links

• historicplaces
• pc.gc