In 1812 the United State declared War on Britian and began by attacking Canada from three points, one being Niagara. In 1813 the Engagement at the Forty, occured.

A plaque commemorating the event was presented by the Historic Sites and Monuments board of Canada in June 1955, and placed on a cairn at the site of the Engagement near Lake Ontario. It reads in English and in French:

"Here at the Forty Mile Creek, on 8 June 1813, American forces, retreating after the Battle of Stoney Creek, were bombarded by a British flotilla under Sir James Lucas Yeo.
Indians and groups of the 4th and 5th Regiments Lincoln Militia joined in the attack and created such confusion in the enemy ranks that they abandoned this position and retreated to Fort George."

The site of the Engagement at the Forty, is now the Forty Mile Creek Park, a peaceful lakeside park by the Pumphouse.

QEW exit 71, Grimsby (Ontario Street)

Ontario Street north

Left on Olive Street

Right on Elizabeth Street and follow north to the driveway at the end of the street

Parking lot is on the right at the Pumphouse.

In 1905 the Elizabeth Street Waterworks was built on this site. It is an excellent example of a 20th century waterworks facility. The building was constructed of brick and shows an asymmetrical composition of Romanesque character. Replaced by a new waterworks in 1998, the building locally known as the Pumphouse, was partially restored by the town and the Historical Society for public use.

GAMRU, Grimsby marine rescue needs volunteer crew members. Call 905-945-3087 or go to Grimsby pumphouse any Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm.

Lakeside Pumphouse Artists meet Wednesdays at the Pumphouse from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. New members are welcome. Please call 905-945-3332.

Yoga Sukha classes with Audrey Gajic takes place at the Pumphouse:
www.yogadirectorycanada.com/det.php?id=1081
www.yogasukha.com

There are about 1.7 km of trails tracing the banks of Forty Mile Creek at its mouth. The greenways are contained within the Forty Mile Creek Park which is north of Olive Street and Lake Street, and just east of Elizabeth Street.

Foran's Marine Stryx Bowling Centre

A Tour of Grimsby’s Designated Heritage Sites brochure, published by the Grimsby Heritage Advisory Committee (GHAC), is available as a brochure or online at:
www.grimsby.ca/index.php?module=documents&JAS_DocumentManager_op=downloadFile&JAS_File_id=262 The brochure is available at the following three locations:

Grimsby Historical Society located at the Carnegie Commons Building. Call for availability. They can be reached by phone or for a visit on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 am to 12 noon – or by appointment.

Gateway Niagara Information Centre - Tourism Niagara:www.tourismniagara.com/gateway_niagara.html

Town of Grimsby's municipal office at 160 Livingston Avenue, open from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (905) 945-9634 Available in a pamphlet rack located across from the receptionist's desk.

Town of Grimsby Visitor Information and Events: www.town.grimsby.on.ca/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=74&MMN_position=126:126 Waterfront Trail: www.waterfronttrail.org/trail-p-grimsby.html

Toronto Star 2002 End-to-End Itinerary-594 km from Queenston to Grimsby:www.waterfronttrail.org/trail-itin-endtoend-1.html

Town of Grimsby

The Pumphouse is available to rent: http://www.town.grimsby.on.ca/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=26

Soccer field

Town boat ramp

Engagement at the Forty
447 Elizabeth Street
Grimsby, Ontario

Grimsby Historical Society, Grimsby Archives
Carnegie Commons Building
25 Adelaide Street
Grimsby, Ontario
L3M 1X2
Tel (905) 309-0796
Email archives@grimsbyhistoricalsociety.com
Website www.grimsbyhistoricalsociety.com