Explore the ruins

Take a peek into history as you stroll the grounds of what was once the most westerly British fort in Upper Canada.  Fort St. Joseph has a fascinating

history as the community found itself navigating the political waters of a newly imposed international boundary, drawn upon the middle of the Upper Great Lakes.  Today, you can see the foundations of the buildings inside the fort, as well as a few from the surrounding community.

June through September.

 

The fort itself was built upon a hill on the southwest extremity of St. Joseph Island that overlooks the international waters where St. Marys River meets Lake Huron.  Take a short walk atop the hill, read about the fort buildings and watch the shipping traffic, imagining the similar views from over 200 years ago.  Fort St. Joseph, in its relatively undisturbed state, offers visitors a glimpse into the conditions that soldiers, fur traders and Indigenous people experienced. 

Around the hill, closer to the shore, are trails that wind through some of the fur trading community.  Walk through the woods of Voyageur Trail to the bay that looks upon Lime Island, where some of the buildings’ limestone was quarried.  Wander along the coastline to see where the military wharf was constructed as well as some fur trader’s buildings.  Have a picnic at the Demonstration Area which overlooks the DeTour Passage as well as the fur traders’ establishments at Rain’s Point. Did you know that the greater Fort St. Joseph community included buildings at Lapointe Point and Rain’s Point?  Talk to one of our Historic Interpreters to learn more.