Origins of the Conflict

The history of Fort Ingall begins with the Aroostook War (1838–1839), a tense conflict over the boundary between the British Empire and the United States.

Lake Témiscouata represented a vital segment of a strategic water and land route between the St. Lawrence River and the Bay of Fundy, making the territory highly sought after by both powers.

History of Fort Ingall

Dr. Jean-Étienne Landry

Dr. Jean-Étienne Landry (1815–1884)

Dr. Jean-Étienne Landry was Fort Ingall’s first physician.

Source image: https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3076318?docref=tyMnz8SMXoCzxzZi1JwBPA

Lieutenant Frederick Lenox Ingall (1795-1869)

Lieutenant Frederick Lenox Ingall (1795-1869)

British Army lieutenant and military engineer who oversaw the construction of Fort Ingall.

Construction (1839)

In response to escalating tensions and the movement of American troops, the British Army built Fort Ingall in 1839 to secure this strategic passage, along with other forts along the route.

Named after an officer of the time, Fort Ingall included barracks, a guardhouse, a powder magazine, and other buildings necessary for garrison life. Up to 200 soldiers could be stationed there.

Drawing by Dr. William Ord Mackenzie, physician at Fort Ingall in 1840.

Drawing by Dr. William Ord Mackenzie, physician at Fort Ingall in 1840.

Layout of Fort Ingall, circa 1840.

Layout of Fort Ingall, circa 1840.

William Ord Mackenzie (1815–1898)

Dr. William Ord Mackenzie practiced medicine in Rivière-du-Loup and later at Fort Ingall in 1840. From 1830 to 1843, he kept numerous journals in which he recorded events from his daily life and that of his contemporaries. His journals are filled with numerous illustrations and maps, including those shown here.

Abandonment and Revival

Following the signing of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty in 1842, which resolved the border dispute, the military post quickly lost its purpose and was abandoned around 1860. The buildings fell into ruin or were dismantled for lumber used in the construction of buildings in the village (Cabano).

However, in the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to the efforts of history enthusiasts, the fort was faithfully reconstructed on its original site. It then opened as a historical interpretation site, allowing today’s visitors to reconnect with this fascinating period.

The site is now managed by the Société d’histoire et d’archéologie du Témiscouata, formerly known as the Société historique de Cabano.

Reconstruction of Fort Ingall around 1970.

Reconstruction of Fort Ingall around 1970.

Reconstruction of Fort Ingall around 1970.

1974 – Although the first three buildings were rebuilt in 1973, work was completed in 1974 with the installation of electricity and windows, and the construction of fireplaces made of fieldstones. Steps were then taken to have Fort Ingall recognized as a historic site. At the same time, various cost estimates were prepared for the reconstruction of the latrines, the police station, and part of the defensive system (Photo: Fort Ingall Archives).

Reconstruction of Fort Ingall around 1970.

1977 – The Society plans to complete the fort’s reconstruction by 1980. Plans call for the reconstruction of the commissary, kitchen, and bakery in 1978; the construction of the canoe shed, installation of the docks, and landscaping of the riverbank in 1979; and the reconstruction of the powder magazine, officers’ quarters, and latrines in 1980.

Reconstruction of Fort Ingall around 1970.

1973 – Workers are busy installing the roof trusses. As was customary at the time, the pieces of these trusses are sawn rather than hewn. These pieces are assembled using the mortise-and-tenon technique.

Reconstruction of Fort Ingall around 1970.

1967 - Survey of the Fort Ingall site by Mr. Jean-Paul Caron. 1967 was the first year of research at the Fort Ingall site. The Society had only $75 available for documentation, land surveying, archaeological test pits, location maps, and the preliminary report. The results confirm that the location is indeed that of Fort Ingall, but the survey reveals that more than a quarter of the site is now occupied by the new Cabano Cemetery...

Reconstruction of Fort Ingall around 1970.

1973 – The company hired Mr. Cornelius Kirjan to conduct the archaeological excavations needed to precisely locate the three dormitories at Fort Ingall. In addition to an archaeologist, the company hired a historian, an ethnologist, as well as students and day laborers to carry out the excavations. The excavations revealed not only the foundations of the old buildings but also numerous artifacts: porcelain, bottles, plaster pipes, and military insignia.

Reconstruction of Fort Ingall around 1970.

Archaeological digs at Fort Ingall.

Reconstruction of Fort Ingall around 1970.

Archaeological digs at Fort Ingall.

Reconstruction of Fort Ingall around 1970.

1974 – The 1974 excavations led to the discovery of numerous artifacts.

Reconstruction of Fort Ingall around 1970.

1974 – The 1974 excavations yielded numerous artifacts. In this image, you can see a shoe sole, a bead that once adorned a ring, the head and body of a tiny porcelain doll, a fragment of a military insignia, and a few buttons, including a military tunic button on the far right

Historical Reenactment

Historical reenactment plays a central role in the visitor experience at Fort Ingall.

Our guide-soldiers portray members of the 24th British Infantry Regiment, as they would have appeared around 1839, during a period of border tensions in the region.

Find out how historical reenactments are featured at Fort Ingall.

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Guided Tour at Fort Ingall