The History…

Over its 200+ year history, Ridgeway has been - and still is - a diversified commercial village.

Ridgeway is a famous site of an 1866 invasion by Fenians (Irish-American Civil War veterans) attempting to “liberate” Upper Canada from Britain and “barter” it for Irish home rule. Ridgeway is also home to the seat of government for the former Bertie township.

Ridgeway Battlefield Heritage Park contains outdoor interpretive panels that depict the story of the Fenian Raid in Fort Erie. This battlefield saw action that prompted the Confederation of Canada and has since been designated a National Historic Site. It is located on Highway #3, just east of Ridge Road.

The Fort Erie Historical Museum is housed in the former Bertie Town Hall that was built in 1874. The Museum contains a permanent display entitled “A Community of Communities”, temporary changing exhibitions, local history archives and gift shop.