Niagara-on-the-Lake in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Turntable Historic Site

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 2, 2025

1. Turntable Historic Site Marker

Inscription. Beginning in 1854, a steam train operated by the Erie and Ontario Railroad would end its northbound journey at the Niagara Dock. Initially it followed a route from Chippawa via Niagara Falls but in 1863 the line was extended south to Fort Erie and then in 1873 to Buffalo, New York. The train met the steamships which arrived from Toronto, carrying passengers, tourists on holiday and soldiers bound for Niagara Camp. In late summer the ships returned home filled with baskets of peaches brought to the dock by the train. Passenger service ended in 1926 but shipment of freight continued until the line closed in 1959.

The circle of stones here is all that remains of the locomotive turntable. It was 60 feet (18 m) in diameter and contained a manually rotated bridge which allowed the locomotive to be turned around for its return journey. The locomotive could also be moved from the turntable to the engine house located nearby on Turntable Way. Following the removal of the railway tracks and the turntable machinery, the stone circle became derelict and overgrown and was nearly forgotten. In 2007 the turntable surface

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was reclaimed by a local resident who cleared the debris and created a garden for all to enjoy.

The relics of the former railway have been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 43° 15.404′ N, 79° 3.867′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is at the intersection of Riverbeach Drive and Turntable Way, on the right when traveling east on Riverbeach Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 99 Riverbeach Drive, Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1J0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At

Turntable Historic Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 2, 2025

2. Turntable Historic Site

The plaque is on the white rock, and near the centre of the turntable's circle. The turntable's circle is demarked by the arc of white dashes (on the pavement) and the arc of flat stones (across the grass and woods) that are relics from the original structure. After the next cross street (behind the metal post), a section of rail shows the location of the nearby rail house.

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Engine House Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Niagara-on-the-Lake's Railroad (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Niagara Harbour and Dock Company (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Butler's Rangers (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Gleaner Printing and Masonic Hall (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Solo Swims Of Ontario (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Polish Soldier’s Burial Plot 1917 – 1919 (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); St. Mark’s Church (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Locomotive Turntable (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.