Top: Soldiers Monument. Bottom from left: Three national flags symbolizing peace, plaque at entrance from Parkway,entrance from parkway.

The Battle of Chippawa was the first battle that marked the start of one of the longest battles of the war of 1812. On July 3rd, 1814, American forces crossed the Niagara River from Buffalo to take Fort Erie marking the beginning of the Niagara Campaign of the war of 1812. 

Of the 4000 British, Canadian, and Native forces who bravely fought in the Battle of Chippawa, over 800 lay dead or wounded. 

In the engagement at Chippawa the regiment is said to have suffered the highest casualty rate of any Canadian militia unit during the war.  This milita unit was comprised of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers.

This park is situated along the beautiful Niagara Parkway in Chippawa Village, which is also recognised as being a very historic town in the City of Niagara Falls.  The Chippawa Battlefield Park is open year round and features a self-guided walking tour that allows visitors to go to the site at their own convenience.  The interpretive panels in the park outline the battle and the role of the participants.  Visitors can stroll through the park at their own pace and read the panels that provide information and maps of the routes taken by the troops during the war starting at the Chippawa battlefield. 

A focal point of the battlefield is the memorial cairn, dedicated to the regiments and First Nations warriors who fought in the battle,  and which also represents peace that has prevailed between Canada and the United States since that time.    

Today, Chippawa Battlefield Park is considered one of the most picturesque battlefield parks.  The self-guided tour of the site was launched in July 2000 by Donald Graves, military historian and expert on the battle.

This point of interest is linked to The Battlefields of The War of 1812 Tour.

Photo Gallery

Directions

From Toronto:

Take QEW Hwy going south towards Fort Erie

Exit Lyons Creek Road stay to the Left

Follow Lyons Creek Road into Chippawa Village

Lyons Creek Road turns into Main Street

Follow Main Street to the Niagara Parkway

Turn right onto the Niagara Parkway

Chippawa Battlefield Park will be located on right hand side on the Niagara River Parkway

From Rainbow Bridge (US/Canada border):

After crossing Rainbow bridge into Canada, the Rainbow Bridge becomes Provincial Route

420W/Roberts Street.

At second intersection, turn Left on Stanley Ave

From Stanley Ave turn Left onto Maineland Parkway

Follow Parkway into Village of Chippawa

Turn left onto Main Street

Follow Main Street to Niagara Parkway (Niagara River)

Chippawa Battlefield Park is located on right hand side on the Niagara River Parkway

From Niagara Falls:

Head south on Victoria Avenue toward Crawford Place

 Turn left to merge onto King's Hwy 420

Continue onto Falls Avenue

Continue onto Niagara River Parkway

Contine onto Macklem Street

Turn left at Portage Road

Continue onto Cummington Square West

Turn left at Main Street

Main Street turns slightly right ane becomes Niagara River Parkway

Chippawa Battlefield Park is located on the left hand side on the Niagara River Parkway

Recreational

Along the Niagara Parkway and adjacent to the Niagara River, passive activities such as cycling, walking/jogging, fishing, picnicking, and boating are popular, and take place in this area on a daily basis.  The landscapes and scenery of the Niagara Parkway make this an ideal spot for these types of activities. 

Further Information

GRAVES.DONALD. WAR OF 1812 BATTLE OF CHIPPAWA JULY 5TH 1814. December 2, 2009. http://war1812.tripod.com/batchip.html

This webpage was prepared by Kristin Atkinson and Cavelle Schmid in December 2009. Trip narration by Kristin Atkinson, photos by Cavelle Schmid and Kristin Atkinson. Thanks to the staff at Brock University for their help in the creation of this page.