Brockville in Leeds and Grenville United Counties, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Indian Cliff

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 15, 2020

1. Indian Cliff Marker

Inscription. Residence From 1884 to 1905 of
Major James M. Walsh
Superintendent of The North-West Mounted Police

Major James Morrow Walsh was a Canadian hero and a figure of national prominence in the second half of the nineteenth century. With his experience in the local volunteer militia of the time, he was appointed by Sir John A. MacDonald as one of the ten original officers to form the North-West Mounted Police. He proceeded with the force to the Canadian North-West in 1874.

After Chief Sitting Bull and other Chiefs defeated General George A. Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876, they fled with their bands to Canada. They crossed the border near Fort Walsh in the Cypress Hills (south-western Saskatchewan) where they remained for four years. Walsh was instrumental in controlling a violent situation. More than any one man, Walsh prevented warfare in its most violent form from spreading across the prairies. He became known as Sitting Bull's Boss.

Walsh purchased his home here in 1884, and named it Indian Cliff, in recognition of a large outcropping of rock which he had used as an orientation point in the difficult Cypress Hills territory.

In 1897, Major Walsh was appointed the first Commissioner of the Yukon Territory by the Canadian Government and was also

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

Superintendent in charge of the North-West Mounted Police Force in the Yukon, thus he was able to bring law and order out of chaos during the Klondike Gold Rush. Retiring in 1898, he retained his political interests in Canadian affairs until his death in this house on July 25, 1905, at age 65. Prior to his death he had entertained Sitting Bull at Indian Cliff. His wife, Mary, and only daughter, Cora, remained in the house for many years thereafter.

Erected by Heritage Brockville, City of Brockville, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Concerned Citizens and Organizations.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 44° 35.715′ N, 75° 40.505′ W. Marker is in Brockville, Ontario, in Leeds and Grenville United Counties. Marker is on King Street East (County Highway 2) just east of Murray Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 207 King Street East, Brockville ON K6V 1C5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Samuel Reynolds House (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Bartholomew and Ruth Ann Carley House (about 210 meters away); Henry and Ellen Soper House (about 210 meters away); David Simpson House (about 210 meters

Indian Cliff and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 15, 2020

2. Indian Cliff and Marker

away); St. Lawrence Terrace (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The "Baby Bottle" House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Richard Bradfield House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Thomas R. Sheffield House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brockville.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. James Morrow Walsh at Dictionary of Canadian Biography. (Submitted on March 22, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. A Brief History of Brockville. (Submitted on March 22, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Brockville's King Street East: A Walking Tour. (Submitted on March 22, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Indian Cliff image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 15, 2020

3. Indian Cliff

Indian Cliff Marker Sponsors image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 15, 2020

4. Indian Cliff Marker Sponsors

Major James M. Walsh North-West Mounted Police Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 14, 2020

5. Major James M. Walsh North-West Mounted Police Marker

In family plot in Old Protestant Cemetery, west of Brockville

Major James M. Walsh Family Grave Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 14, 2020

6. Major James M. Walsh Family Grave Marker

In Old Protestant Cemetery west of Brockville

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 14, 2020

7. Walsh Family Plot in Old Protestant Cemetery west of Brockville

Walsh Family Plot Sign in Old Protestant Cemetery west of Brockville image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 14, 2020

8. Walsh Family Plot Sign in Old Protestant Cemetery west of Brockville

Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 532 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 22, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.