Ridgeway and the Fenian Raids: The Forgotten Battlefield That Helped Create Canada
The Battle of Ridgeway Cairn
Most people driving through Ridgeway, Ontario — a quiet village just minutes from the Peace Bridge — would never guess that it was once the site of an international invasion. But on June 2, 1866, this peaceful stretch of farmland became the front line of a war few remember today: the Battle of Ridgeway, part of the Fenian Raids that helped push Britain’s North American colonies toward Confederation — and the birth of Canada.
The Invasion from Buffalo
Just after the American Civil War, a group of Irish-American veterans known as the Fenian Brotherhood turned their eyes north. Their plan was bold — even desperate:
to invade Canada, capture territory, and trade it for Ireland’s freedom from British rule.
In the early hours of June 1, 1866, hundreds of Fenian soldiers crossed the Niagara River from Buffalo into Fort Erie, led by Colonel John O’Neill. They marched inland toward Ridgeway, cutting telegraph lines and seizing supplies as they went. Most were hardened Civil War veterans; some still wore parts of their Union uniforms.
The Battle of Ridgeway
The next morning, near Limestone Ridge outside the village, the Fenians met a hastily assembled force of young Canadian volunteers — mostly farmers and students who had never seen combat.
When confusion spread among the Canadians over whether enemy cavalry were approaching, their line broke. The Fenians pressed their advantage, forcing a retreat toward Port Colborne. It was Canada’s first modern battle fought by its own citizen soldiers — and a harsh awakening.
By nightfall, the Fenians briefly controlled Ridgeway. But their victory was short-lived: U.S. authorities, under pressure from Britain, cut off their supply lines and arrested them when they retreated back across the border.
Why It Still Matters
The Battle of Ridgeway wasn’t a large fight — fewer than 1,000 men on each side — but its impact was enormous.
News of the raid shook the British colonies. The idea that a small group of armed men could cross the Niagara River and defeat local militia exposed how vulnerable the region was.
That fear helped drive a new political movement — the push to unite the scattered colonies into a single nation.
Just one year later, in 1867, the Dominion of Canada was born.
In a strange way, the Fenian invasion — meant to strike at the British Empire — helped inspire the creation of the country that would replace it.
Visiting Ridgeway Today
Today, the battlefields are quiet again, marked by plaques and monuments that honor those who fought.
If you visit, here’s what to look for:
Ridgeway Battlefield National Historic Site — Located along Garrison Road (Highway 3) near Ridge Road N. There’s a cairn, interpretive panels, and walking paths where the fighting occurred.
Ridgeway Battlefield Park & Museum — The local museum features exhibits on the Fenian Raids, uniforms, and artifacts from 1866.
Battle of Ridgeway Cairn — A stone monument with plaques explaining the events of June 2, 1866.
Fort Erie area — Visit nearby sites where the Fenians landed; the old docks and crossing points are still visible near the Niagara River.
It’s a quiet, reflective place — but standing there, it’s easy to imagine the tension of that June morning: the sound of drums, musket fire, and the uncertain birth of a new nation.
A Battlefield that Became a Beginning
Ridgeway’s fields are green again, but their story runs deep.
What began as a failed invasion became part of the spark that forged a country. The young Canadians who fought here learned hard lessons about courage and unity — lessons that would echo into Confederation and beyond.
So next time you drive through Ridgeway, stop for a moment.
Walk the trail. Read the plaques. And remember: this little village once helped shape the Canada we know today. Read more by clicking here!
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