WINDMILL POINT LIGHTHOUSE

Considering our common culture and ease of exchange it's hard to believe that Americans have probably been involved in more conflicts with Canadians than with anyone else. Not only the French and Indian War, American Revolution, and the War of 1812 but lesser known events as well.

This rubble stone structure, located near Prescott, Ontario, is sometimes called the “Alamo of the North” having played a part in a mostly forgotten event of American-Canadian history . It was converted into a lighthouse in 1872 but was originally built as a wind powered grist mill.

In the mid to later 1830’s Upper Canada (Ontario) was rebelling against British rule. Americans know as “Patriot Hunters” along with Canadian rebels wanted to form a Canadian republic. In 1838, a group of Hunters crossed over from New York in an attempt to capture Fort Wellington which was located near Prescott. When the invasion attempt went bad they took up a defensive position at the windmill with the expectation that they would be reinforced by insurgent Canadians. Instead they found themselves pinned down in a hopeless battle with Loyalist forces. After five days and several deaths they surrendered and were taken to Fort Henry at Kingston where 11 of their leaders were executed.