Battle of Ridgeway Heritage Park

Ridgeway Battlefield is a National Historic Site where visitors can explore the story of the Fenian Raid and the Battle of Ridgeway, fought here on June 2, 1866. Interpretive panels throughout the site explain the reasons for the invasion, the local and international response, and the lasting impact these events had on Canada.

The battle was fought between Canadian militia volunteers and Irish nationalists based in the United States, known as the Fenians, many of whom were veterans of the U.S. Civil War. Their goal was to pressure Britain by attacking British North America in support of Irish independence.

The events at Ridgeway, followed by the Battle at Fort Erie Dock, helped strengthen calls for Confederation and highlighted the need for a stronger national defence. In 1921, the battlefield was designated a National Historic Site, and a commemorative cairn stands in the park today.

To learn more, visitors can also explore the Fort Erie Historical Museum, which features exhibits on the Fenian Raid, including rare period watercolours by Alexander von Erichsen.