Bois Blanc Island Blockhouses

Photo by Bill Jarvis - January 31, 2007

Plaque Location

The County of Essex
The Town of Amherstburg
At the blockhouse, Bois Blanc Island. The island is accessible by ferry from Elliott's Point, just south of Amherstburg on County Road 18

Plaque Text

Following the evacuation of the British military post at Detroit in 1796, a new establishment was commenced opposite here on the site of Amherstburg, and two blockhouses were built on this island to serve as outposts. As a result of armed attacks on Amherstburg by supporters of William Lyon Mackenzie during the Rebellion of 1837-38, the original defences on Bois Blanc were replaced in 1839 by three new blockhouses, and a picquet house enclosed by a palisade. The latter housed regular troops from Fort Malden until 1851 and thereafter Enrolled Pensioners until 1859. The two remaining blockhouses are situated at the centre and south end of the island.

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