The Laura Secord Legacy Trail Sign, located in Mewburn Park, Niagara Falls, was placed and landscaped with the help of numerous volunteers and community leaders. Photo: Bullet News Niagara.

 

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The Laura Secord Legacy Trail was created in 2012, spanning 32 km (20 miles) over the approximate route that Laura Secord took on her trek from Queenston to Decew House, St. Catharines. A sign was placed on one section of the trail, in Mewburn Road Park, Niagara Falls, by the City of Niagara Falls on June 19, 2012 in celebration of that section’s completion. The sign was sponsored by Unilever, Habitat for Humanity Niagara, the City of Niagara Falls, and the Friends of Laura Secord. The trail is a reflection of the aims of the 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Project.

 

On June 21, 1813 Laura Secord overheard several American soldiers who were occupying her house in Queenston discussing their upcoming attack on Lieutenant Fizgibbon’s forces at Decew House. Since her husband was not able to bring the message because of his injuries Laura made the decision to set out the next morning. Using the excuse of visiting her ailing brother in St. David’s she was able to get past the American guards. Her path from Queenston to St. Catharines took her across dangerous territory and all sorts of terrain. At one point her niece joined her but she became exhausted three hours into the trek. Laura Secord delivered her message late on June 22, 1813, allowing the First Nations peoples and Fitzgibbon's men to ready themselves for the upcoming battle.

 

A good deal of research was done to approximate Laura’s route. Information was gleaned from Laura’s account of her walk as well as historic documents on the subject. Over time, however some stories, for example about a fictional cow that Laura had with her and the mixing of dates, have exaggerated and skewed the story. It is important, then, to discern between fable and fact.

 

The Laura Secord Legacy Trail has been broken down into five stages. The official trail sign was placed on Stage 2 of the walk. The five stages:

 

                Stage 1:                         Laura Secord Homestead to Firemen’s Park

 

                Stage 2:                          Firemen’s Park to Niagara College

 

                Stage 3:                          Niagara College to Rodman Hall

 

                Stage 4:                          Rodman Hall to Rotary Park

 

                Stage 5:                          Rotary Hall to Decew House

 

Over time multimedia resources and plaques are to be added, emphasizing the different perspectives and groups, for example the role of women and First Nation peoples, in both the War of 1812 and the historic routes of Niagara and Canada. The intent of this media and the trail overall is to combine aspects of education with recreation as well as unifying national perspectives and enhancing tourism potential. Receiving community support, as was shown by The City of Niagara Falls and the surrounding community is invaluable in this sort of project.

1. Drive South on the QEW, following the signs toward Niagara/East Hamilton/Fort Erie

2. Take exit 34 for Regional Road 101 E/Mountain Road

3. Turn left onto Mountain Rd/Regional Rd 101 

4. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Mewburn Rd

5. Drive 1.6 km. Destination will be on the right

1. Drive North on the QEW toward 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, take the 3rd exit onto Mewburn Rd

5. Drive 1.6 km. Destination will be on the right

 

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