Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

Niagara-on-the-Lake (2011 population 15,400) is a Canadian town located in Southern Ontario where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario in the Niagara Region of the southern part of the province of Ontario. It is located across the Niagara River from Youngstown, New York, USA. It is also the only town in Canada that has a Lord Mayor.

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.