Wishing Well Historic Cottage

Visitor Center

by tpangelinan

Make sure you stop by the visitor center for some good maps, coupons and information. Located on main street on the same side as the Prince of Wales Hotel a few blocks down, look careful because you have to walk down some stairs next to a building, just look for this sign and head down the steps. The people are very nice and helpful and willing to answer any questions you may have, you can also exchange money here.

William Kirby's house

by Jefie

As we were biking downtown towards the marina, we happened to pass William Kirby's home. Kirby (1817-1906) is the author of The Golden Dog (1877), a historical novel set in Quebec City.

Kirby moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1839 and once wrote that this town was "as near heaven as any town whatever.”

Cilento Wines

by flyfreak

Cilento's winery is a state-of-the-art 36.000 square foot California mission style building located in Woodbridge, Ontario, just north of Toronto. Cilento is a primarily VQA Winery with vineyards located in the Niagara region of Ontario. Since its inception in 1995 Cilento has produced many wines that have been awarded Gold Medals in international wine competitions.

Walking tour of Niagara-on-the-lake

by ravigateway

"Brief history of Niagara-on-the-lake"

The settlement was originally known as Butlersburg, in honour of Colonel John Butler, the commander of Butler's Rangers.
The Town received official status in 1781 when it became known as Newark, a British military site and haven for British loyalists fleeing the United States in the volatile aftermath of the American Revolution.

Later, it changed names again, this time to Niagara.

Niagara was named the first capitol of Upper Canada (now the province of Ontario), and the first provincial parliament was convened at Navy Hall in 1792 by Lieutenant-Govenor John Graves Simcoe.

During the War of 1812, the capitol was moved to York (later to be renamed as Toronto) so as to be farther from the areas of combat.

The Town played a central part in the War or 1812. It was taken by American forces after a two day bombardment by cannons from Fort Niagara and the American Fleet, followed by a bloody battle.

Later in the war the Town was razed and burnt to the ground by American soldiers as they withdrew to Fort Niagara. Undaunted by this setback, the citizens rebuilt the Town after the War, with the residential quarter around Queen Street and toward King Street, where the new Court House was rebuilt out of firing range of the cannons of Fort Niagara.

In the 1880's, the Town was renamed as Niagara-on-the-Lake to avoid confusion with Niagara Falls. The central part is referred to as Old Town or Old Niagara.

"Preservation Fine Art Gallery"

The Preservation Fine Art Gallery is housed within a restored Victorian mansion located at 177 King Street. On display are works by popular local artists like Trisha Romance, Alex Colville and Philip Graig.

"Prince of Wales Hotel"

Prince of Wales Hotel was built in 1880.

Photos courtesy of Ravindran THANIKAIMONI. All copyrights reserved 2003.