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

Gordon's Quarter Medium Press

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025

1. Gordon's Quarter Medium Press Marker

Inscription. This rare Canadian-built press, now inoperable, was manufactured at the Joseph Hall Works in Oshawa, Ontario in the 1870's. The volunteer committee has chosen it from the Mackenzie Heritage Printery collection for display on this historic site.

Gordon style platen presses were manufactured between 1867 and 1878 from patents purchased from George P. Gordon, an American printer and "father" of the platen press, who received his patent in 1850.

Printers used the platen press in various sizes to print small jobs and even to print newspapers.

The hinged platen came in contact with the inked form and a sheet of dry paper placed on the hard tympan.

Many innovations were added to this Canadian-built "job" press and were utilized by a large number of Canadian newspapers.

Platen presses continue to be popular with private hobby printers.

Westman & Baker were the only other Canadian manufacture of presses in that era more than a century ago.

Erected by Mackenzie Heritage Printery Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music •

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Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 43° 9.74′ N, 79° 3.215′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Queenston. It can be reached from Queenston Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is on the property of a museum called "The Mackenzie Printery". The marker and printer are up at the level of the museum entrance, to the right of the museum's main entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Queenston Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1L0, 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: Home of William Lyon Mackenzie (a few steps from this marker);

Gordon's Quarter Medium Press - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025

2. Gordon's Quarter Medium Press - Marker in context

The marker is at the black printer, which is visible up at the level of the museum's entrance door. This "printery" is 200 metres north of Brock's monument, peaking through the foliage in the top-left.

Seeds Of Reform (a few steps from this marker); The Colonial Advocate (a few steps from this marker); 'Alfred' (within shouting distance of this marker); Brock's Cenotaph (within shouting distance of this marker); Indians at Queenston Heights (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Brock Dead House (about 210 meters away); The Battle of Queenston Heights / la Bataille de Queenston (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Counter-Offensive Takes Shape / La contre-offensive prend forme (was about 120 meters away but has been confirmed missing).

Gordon's Quarter Medium Press image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025

3. Gordon's Quarter Medium Press

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 94 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 4, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.