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

Ontario's First Railroad - The Erie and Ontario Railroad.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 2, 2025

1. Ontario's First Railroad - The Erie and Ontario Railroad Marker (hat for scale)

Inscription. These Queenston Quarry stone blocks are believed to have been used as stepping-stones for passengers getting on or off the Erie and Ontario Railroad, the first operational railroad in Ontario. It ran between Queenston and Chippawa from the 1830's as a horse-drawn passenger carriage until steam engines were obtained for the line in 1852. Originally, the tracks were wooden with bands of iron that ran along the top to prevent damage. The numbers on the front of these stones may indicate stops where passengers could comfortably exit the carriage.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 43° 15.127′ N, 79° 4.313′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is on Castlereagh Street, on the left when traveling east. The tiny white marker is at the Niagara-on-the-Lake museum. It is in the flower garden (which is adjacent to the street's sidewalk), in front of a gate in a white picket fence. It is half-way between two box-like stone blocks, which are also in the flower garden. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 43 Castlereagh Street, 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,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and 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 least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Memorial Hall, 1906 (here, next to this marker); Niagara Land Purchases (a few

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steps from this marker); Janet Carnochan 1839 - 1926 (a few steps from this marker); The Canada Constellation (within shouting distance of this marker); Eedson-Fyfe House circa 1849 (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Moore-Bishop-Stokes House (about 180 meters away); The Parliament Oak (about 180 meters away); Meritage House circa 1890 (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Ontario's First Railroad - The Erie and Ontario Railroad. Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 2, 2025

2. Ontario's First Railroad - The Erie and Ontario Railroad. Marker in context

The tiny marker is in the flower garden, at the centre of the gate in the picket fence. The marker describes the two box-like stone blocks. Observe the text on the near block - "No 9".

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 5, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.