Fort Hill Cannons

Fort Hill Cannons are designated a Local Historic Place for their intended roles in the War of 1812 and the Fenian Raid in 1866. The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and Great Britain from June 1812 to the spring of 1815. The main land fighting of the war occurred along the Canadian border, in the Chesapeake Bay region, and along the Gulf of Mexico. In 1866, the Fenians had split into two factions, with the original faction, led by Fenian founder John O’Mahony focussed more on fundraising for rebels in Ireland. After an April attempt to raid New Brunswick failed, the senate faction Fenians hatched their own plan for an invasion into Canada West (now southern Ontario) from Buffalo, New York. Although the Fort Hill Cannons were erected in response to the very real threat of action during the War of 1812 and the Fenian Raid of 1866, neither saw action as these threats never reached St. George.