Bertie Street Ferry Landing

For centuries, many ferry landings operated along the Niagara River, some built by local merchants and others established as government licenced landing points. The longest operating ferry dock stood here near the foot of present-day Bertie Street and was licenced to Henry Windecker circa 1796. It served as a busy hub not only for crossings to and from the United States, but also for customs, immigration, vehicle registration, and a railroad terminus. During the mid 1800s, fugitive slaves were ferried here to freedom as their last stop on the Underground Railroad. During the early 1900s, tourists could board the Fort Erie, Snake Hill and Pacific Railroad here for trips to Erie Beach Amusement Park. Ferry business declined after the Peace Bridge opened in 1927, and the last ferry crossing of people and vehicles to Fort Erie took place on Sept. 2, 1950, aboard the Orleans.

Ontario · Canada