Welcome to the first entry of my 2012 film project, appropriately on the War of 1812. Since 2012 will mark the 200th Anniversary of the start of this war that spanned from 1812 to 1815 that saw the invasion of Upper Canada from American forces, the destruction of both countries’ capital cities, and the start of 200 years of peace between two nations.

Burlington Heights, a name that not many people these days would recognize so it makes for a perfect initial post for the project. The Heights is today located in Hamilton, Ontario along York Blvd. You can’t really see that back in 1812 the area was site of a massive fortification and British Army Depot. It is mostly park lands traversed by York Blvd, and a Cemetery. The Heights as they were often called was made up of barracks and earth work fortifications over looking Burlington Bay and Lake Ontario.

The park that occupies the forward area that made up the Heights

The only indication of the importance of this flat area is a couple of Cannons mounted on the ridge line and markers. Some of the earth works still survive in the cemetery across the way from the cliff line. The heights never saw an attack by American forces, but it was from here that several major tactical engagements were launched. The first was to hold back American forces at what is now known as the Battle of Stoney Creek in 1813, along with the strikes that retook Fort George and took Fort Niagara in the same year.

A Cannon and two historical markers that indicate where the fortification lines started.

After the war the Heights continued to see use as a contagious disease hospital for new immigrants, eventually the old fortifications were dismantled. Today the Heights is mostly parklands, and the majority is occupied by Dundurn Castle built in 1835. You can still see the remains of an old powder magazine from the Heights in the Castle’s kitchen.

Dundurn Castle as it stands today, the castle today is a civic musuem and a major attraction in the city of Hamilton

At the time I was looking around the heights I was losing daylight and did not make the trip across York Blvd. to get a photo of the surviving earth works located there. I may update this post in the future if I happen to be in the area or passing through.

Photos taken with:
Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 35mm 1:3.5 – Kodak Tri-X 400 (400TX)