Bois Blanc Blockhouse
Located at the south end of Bois Blanc (Boblo) Island, the blockhouse was built in 1839.
- The blockhouse was constructed in response to series of border raids by American sympathizers of the Upper Canada Rebellion (1837-38).
- Fort Malden, located across the river in Amherstburg, was a key British military stronghold, and Boblo Island served as a strategic outpost to protect the entrance to the Detroit River.
- The blockhouse was one of several military installations built on Boblo to guard against potential attacks from the United States.
Key Features
- Built from wood and stone, it was designed as a defensive structure with thick walls, loopholes for musket fire, and an elevated position for surveillance.
- It was used by British troops to monitor river traffic and prevent American incursions.
- The blockhouse was part of a larger military complex, which included other fortifications and gun batteries on the island.
Later Use & Preservation
- After the military threat subsided, the blockhouse was decommissioned but remained an important landmark.
- When Boblo Island became a popular amusement park (1898–1993), the blockhouse was preserved as a historical feature.
- Today, it stands as one of the last surviving military structures from that era in the Amherstburg region.
- The Blockhouse is a Federally Designated Heritage Property.