GENERAL INFORMATION

On the east side of Queenston Street, just north of Laura Secord Homestead is a plaque erected by the Archaeoligical and Historic Site Board and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities of Ontario.

It reads:

THE FOUNDING OF QUEENSTON

         Following the loss, after the American Revolution of the Niagara River's east bank, a

         new portage around Niagara Falls was established in the 1780s' with Queenston its    

         northern terminous. Wharves, storehouses and a block-house were built. Robert

         Hamilton, a prominent merchant considered the village's founder, operated a thriving

         trans-shipment business. Known as the "Lower Landing" it was named "Queenston" by  

         Lieut.-Governor Simcoe. During the war of 1812 the village was badly damaged. Here

         lived such well-known figures as Laura Secord and William Lyon MacKenzie. Despite

         loss of commerce following the opening of the Welland Canal in 1829, Queenston

         later served as a terminous for the province's first horse-drawn railway. Queenston

         was incorporated into the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1970.

Erected by the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board,

Ministry of Colleges and Universities

Hours of Operation

Roadside plaque. Accessible at all times.

DIRECTIONS

From Toronto:

1. Get on QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way/ON-403) W. Follow signs for Niagara/East Hamilton/Fort     Erie
2. Keep left to continue on ON-405, follow signs for Queenston Lewiston U.S.A
3. Take the Stanley Avenue/Regional Road 102 exit toward Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake
4. Keep left at the fork and follow signs for Niagara Pkwy/Niagara-on-the-Lake
5. Turn left onto Stanley Ave
6. Slight right onto Portage Rd (signs for Portage Road/Niagara Parkway/Queenston/Niagara on the Lake)
7. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Niagara Pkwy.
8. Turn right on Queenston St.

Plaque is located on the corner of Queenston St. and Dumfries St.

From Niagara:

1. Take QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) towards Toronto
2. Take exit 34 for Regional Road 101/Mountain Road
3. Turn right onto Mountain Rd/Regional Rd 101 (signs for Mountain Road E)
4. At the roundabout, continue straight to stay on Mountain Rd/Regional Rd 101
5. Turn left onto St Paul Ave/Regional Rd 100. Continue to follow Regional Rd 100.
6. Turn right onto York Rd/Regional Rd 81 (signs for Queenston)
7. Turn left onto Niagara Pkwy
8. Take the 1st right onto Queenston St.

The plaque will be on your right, just before the Queenston St. - Dumfries St. intersection.

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