Niagara -on-the-Lake was
originally known as Butlersburg, in honour of Colonel John Butler, the
commander of Butler’s Rangers. The Town received an 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 capital of Upper Canada (now the province of Ontario), and the first
provincial parliament was convened there.
During the War of 1812, the capital 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.
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.
This postcard came from AMark of Stampboards as #1 of 3 (Jan 2014 postcard exchange.) He used Canada's Year of the Horse stamps.
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