For a wider view of Barrie’s surroundings, look toward Fort Willow in Springwater. The site helps explain a transport landscape that extended beyond the boundaries of today’s city.
A corridor with a long history
The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority describes First Nations use of this transportation corridor long before the military depot associated with the War of 1812. The Nine Mile Portage connected waterways through an overland route, making the surrounding landscape part of a broader network of movement.
During the War of 1812, Willow Depot supported the movement of supplies. Although the modern name is Fort Willow, the historical story is principally that of a supply depot rather than a conventional defensive fort.
Read the site through its outlines
Archaeology informs the building outlines and interpretation visitors encounter. These should not be mistaken for surviving original buildings. Looking at the arrangement of the site can help visitors imagine its practical role without inventing details that are no longer visible.
The conservation area is at 2714 Grenfel Road. Consult the official visitor page for current access information, and the NVCA self-guided tour for the historical interpretation.
