Description of Historic Place

Bridge Island / Chimney Island National Historic Site of Canada is located on Chimney Island in the St. Lawrence River, about 20 kilometres upriver from Brockville, Ontario. This island was the site of a fortified British garrison during the War of 1812, which protected the supply line to Lower Canada and provided a meeting point for British ships. In 1980, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada erected a plaque on the island to commemorate the site. Official recognition refers to the island as it was found at the time of designation.

Heritage Value

Bridge Island / Chimney Island was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1936 because:
- it was fortified and garrisoned in 1814 for the protection of the vital line of supply by water from Lower Canada and provided a rendezvous for boats engaged in that service during the War of 1812-14.

During the War of 1812, the St. Lawrence River was the lifeline of Upper Canada along which virtually all military and civilian supplies were transported from Montreal to Kingston. Fear that the Americans might attempt to block the passage of material prompted the fortification of Bridge Island / Chimney Island as a shelter for the “supply bateaux” and a base for British gunboats. A blockhouse was completed early in 1814 and a circular battery with an 18-pounder constructed. These defence works were maintained by a detachment of the 57th Regiment and artillerymen during 1814, but fell into disrepair soon after the war.

Sources: Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Minutes, 1936; Plaque Text, 1980.

Character-Defining Elements

Key elements contributing to the heritage value of the site include:
- its location about 20 kilometres upriver from Brockville, Ontario;
- its siting on a treed rocky island within the St. Lawrence River, in close proximity to the shore;
- the relationship of the site with the St. Lawrence River and its adjacent landscape;
- any surface, subsurface or underwater archaeological resources relating to the fortifications erected on the island in their original placement and extent, including remains of the blockhouse and circular battery;
- the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque, located at the centre of the island;
- viewscapes from the site down the St. Lawrence River and northwest towards the shore.