Amherstburg

Amherstburg (2016 population 21,936; population 13,910) is a town near the mouth of the  in Essex County, Ontario, Canada. In 1796, Fort Malden was established here, becoming the heart of the settlement. It has been designated as a National Historic Site.

The city is approximately 25 km south of the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan, facing Wyandotte, Grosse Ile Township, Brownstown Charter Township, and Gibraltar, Michigan. It is part of the Windsor census metropolitan area.

History
Across the Detroit River from what developed as the state of Michigan in the United States, the town was permanently established in 1796 as a. Fort Malden was occupied as a garrison. The town was developed by Loyalists who were granted land by the Crown in Ontario after the British lost the American Revolutionary War. They built many of their houses in the French style of a century before, giving the new town a historic character.

During the days of the before the American Civil War, fugitive   often crossed the river to escape to freedom in Canada, after slavery was abolished there. Detroit abolitionists William Lambert and George DeBaptiste were key and DeBaptiste owned a lake steamboat which was used to offload fugitives in town while docked ostensibly to load lumber They used Fort Malden as an entry point.

By 1869, the town of Amherstburg in the Township of Malden County Essex had a population of 2,500. Fort Malden was adapted for use as a Lunatic Asylum. Its main building was later used as a Port of Entry Money Order office and Post Office savings bank. Amherstburg was incorporated as a town in 1878.

Tourist attractions
Amherstburg is home to several tourist attractions, including and the. An Ontario Historical Plaque was erected in Amherstburg by the province to commemorate Bellevue House's role in Ontario's heritage. Bellevue House (c. 1816-19) was the home of Catherine Reynolds, a landscape painter and her brother Robert Reynolds. Additional tourist activities include the and the charming King's Navy Yard Park, both of which are located in the heart of old Amherstburg.

The Gibson Gallery is located in a former Michigan Central Railroad Station (c. 1896), which has been fully restored to its original beauty. The gallery operates year-round, featuring exhibits by local artists, the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of Windsor, traveling exhibits from Ontario museums and galleries, and student art/photography exhibits. A restored Essex Terminal railway caboose is operated as a railway museum. The restored Gordon House is another historic attraction of Amherstburg. Built as a residence in 1798 overlooking the Detroit River, it now houses a Marine exhibit.

The Holiday Beach Conservation Area is one of the best fall birding sites in North America. The 546 acre nature reserve contains over 2,000 feet (610 m) of beaches, picnic areas, a 2 km trail along the edge of Big Creek Marsh. Holiday Beach is considered a premiere spot to view the fall migration of raptors (birds of prey). A 'Festival of Hawks' event takes place in September.

Texas Road is a street popularly associated with paranormal sightings and ghostly experiences. This stretch of road passes through a gully and it has been rumored that a man once murdered another there. Since this time people have reported strange disturbances such as car ignitions failing and paranormal light shows.

Transportation
Between Amherstburg and Windsor (the nearest local metropolis), there is no regularly scheduled bus line. Amherstburg Taxi and South Shore Taxi occasionally operate a "shared ride service" from Amherstburg to the in Windsor.

Commercial rail service is provided through Essex Terminal Railway, which operates a 35 km line to Windsor.

Small boats are welcome to call at any one of three local marinas that serve Lake Erie and the Detroit River.

Amherstburg Ferry Company operates private ferry service to community. The ferry service once operated MS Windmill Point, a car ferry acquired in 1960s after the Ogdensburg–Prescott Ferry service closed following the opening of the. In July 2020, the Amherstburg Ferry Company acquired the Daldean Ferry which had been operating on the St. Clair River between since 1951.

Festivals
In the first week of every August, Amherstburg holds a heritage festival, consisting of activities at several locations around town. At Fort Malden, re-enactors depict eras ranging from the Roman Empire to the Second World War, establishing camps and performing battle demonstrations.

Since 2006, Amherstburg has held an annual Shores of Erie Wine Festival. Each September, the four-day Wine Festival features food, dancing, live entertainment, and wine tasting.

Amherstburg also celebrates with a yearly fireworks display and day of family activities.

Art by the River (established in 1967), is an annual two-day arts and craft festival that takes place the weekend before Labour Day weekend on the grounds of the Fort Malden National Historic Site.

Other festivities include:


 * Annual Carnival (May)
 * Spring Wine N' Hop (May)
 * Beef In the Burg Barbecue (June)
 * Firefighters "J Wimpy" Volleyball Tournament (June)
 * Verdi Club Festival (July)
 * Boblo International Jazz Festival (July)
 * Canada Day Celebrations/Ice Cream Festival (July 1)
 * Mardi Gras Street Party (July)
 * Gone Crazy Car Show (July)
 * Ribfest (July)
 * Woofa Roo Pet Festival (August)
 * Shores of Erie International Wine Festival (September)
 * Cancer Walk-a-thon (October)
 * Pumpkinville (October)
 * Christmas Parade (Late November)
 * River Lights (November and December)
 * Amherstburg Christmas Pub Crawl (December)

Demographics
Population trend:


 * Population in 2016: 21,936
 * Population in 2011: 21,556
 * Population in 2006: 21,748
 * Population in 2001: 20,339
 * Amherstburg (former town): 10,822
 * Anderdon (former township): 6331
 * Malden (former township): 3186
 * Population total in 1996: 19,273
 * Amherstburg (town): 10,245
 * Anderdon (township): 5730
 * Malden (township): 3298
 * Population total in 1991: 17,577
 * Amherstburg (town): 8921
 * Anderdon (township): 5502
 * Malden (township): 3155