Fort Niagara’s Shifting Flags: From France to Britain to the U.S.—and Back Again
Fort Niagara: The Fort That Changed Hands—and Lost Its Roof in Battle
Overlooking the mouth of the Niagara River, Old Fort Niagara has seen more than flags change above its stone walls. It’s seen fire, siege, and one of the strangest tactical decisions in colonial warfare: removing its own roof to return fire across the river.
This fort, perched on the edge of Lake Ontario, has stood at the crossroads of war and empire for centuries. Built by the French in 1726, it was later occupied by the British, then the Americans, then the British again, and finally returned to the United States for good. Few military sites in North America changed hands so many times—and with such high stakes.
Fort George: The British High Ground Advantage
During the War of 1812, the British constructed Fort George just across the Niagara River in what is now Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Strategically placed on higher ground, Fort George dominated the region with its cannons, which could easily target Fort Niagara from across the water.
The Americans, who controlled Fort Niagara at the time, were at a severe disadvantage—boxed in by geography and firepower.
So they got creative.
The Roof Comes Off
In one of the more unusual moments in fort history, American soldiers removed the roof of the French-built “Castle” (Maison à Machicoulis)—the stone house at the center of Fort Niagara. Why? To install artillery pieces on the second floor, giving them enough elevation to return fire at Fort George’s superior position.
It was an act of desperation, innovation, and defiance—but it wasn’t enough.
The Fort Falls Again
In December 1813, the British launched a surprise nighttime raid. They crossed the frozen river, overwhelmed the American garrison, and retook Fort Niagara in a matter of hours. The fort’s cannons fell silent, and the Union Jack flew once again over the stone walls.
This reversal of power was nothing new. Fort Niagara had already changed hands multiple times:
French to British (1759, during the French and Indian War)
British to American (1796, peacefully after Jay’s Treaty)
American to British (1813, War of 1812)
British to American (1815, Treaty of Ghent)
Each handover was more than symbolic—it shaped control of the Great Lakes, access to trade routes, and the balance of power in North America.