Following the evacuation of the British military post at Detroit in 1796, a new establishment was begun on the Canadian side of the river at the site of Amherstburg, and two blockhouses were built on this island to serve as outposts. Following the armed attacks on Amherstburg by supporters of William Lyon Mackenzie during the Rebellion of 1837-38, the original defences on Bois Blanc (Bob-Lo) were replaced in 1839 by three new blockhouses and a picquet house enclosed by a palisade. The latter was occupied by regular troops from Fort Malden until 1851 and thereafter housed Enrolled Pensioners until 1859. Of these fortifications, only this blockhouse remains.

Location

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

Themes

• Buildings and structures
• War and conflict