Niagara Falls in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Thomas Baker McQuesten
K.C., M.L.A.
| | 1882 1945 | |
Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 15, 2014
1. Thomas Baker McQuesten Marker
Thomas Baker McQuesten was born in Hespeler, Ontario June 30, 1882. In 1934 he was appointed Minister of Highways and Public Works for the Province of Ontario and Chairman of the Niagara Parks Commission. He served in both positions for ten years.
During his term as chairman of the Niagara Parks Commission, he was instrumental in the building of Oakes Garden Theatre; The construction of the Niagara Parkway from Clifton Hill to the whirlpool; the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture; Mather Park and Mather Arch at Fort Erie.
His deep appreciation of Canadian history and tradition resulted in the restoration of Fort George, historic Fort Erie and the Mackenzie House in Queenston.
His foresight led the Niagara Parks Commission to initiate a movement to build the present Rainbow Bridge, three months before the Upper Steel Arch Bridge was destroyed by ice. As chairman of the Niagara Parks Commission, he oversaw the construction of the Rainbow Bridge, the Rainbow Gardens and the Carillon Tower.
Everyone who enjoys the beauty of the floral gardens within the Niagara parks has reason to thank Thomas B. McQuesten.
Erected 1992 by The Niagara Parks Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment
this page online
Location. 43° 5.401′ N, 79° 4.32′ W. Marker is in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is at the intersection of Clifton Hill and Niagara Parkway / River Road, on the right on Clifton Hill. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Niagara Falls ON L2G 3K9, 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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Oakes Garden Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); This Tablet Commemorates The Public Spirit And Generosity Of Sir Harry Oakes Bart (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Upper Steel Arch Bridge (about 120 meters away); Upper Suspension Bridge (about 120 meters away); To the Memory of Burrell Hecock (about 180 meters away); Zimmerman Fountain Pond (about 210 meters away); Rainbow Bridge (about 210 meters away); Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal 1861 - 1896 (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara Falls.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for Thomas McQuesten. “Thomas Baker McQuesten was a Canadian politician, lawyer and politician and government appointee who lived in Hamilton, Ontario. As minister of Highways in the government of Mitchell
Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 15, 2014
2. Thomas Baker McQuesten Marker at Rainbow Gardens
Niagara Parkway is on the right, where the horizon is the Canadian side of Rainbow Bridge.
2. Rainbow Garden is a Thing of Beauty. This page has photographs and a short article on Rainbow Garden. Excerpt: “The purpose of the Rainbow Gardens was to connect the Oaks Garden Theatre complex and the Rainbow Bridge. The Oakes Garden Theatre is a grass covered Greco-Roman style amphitheater surrounded by a limestone staircase, and features lovely fountains, urns and ornamental statuary. The Garden area is beautifully surrounded by a large ornamental stone wall which helps create a feeling of seclusion and serenity, despite its proximity to the many high-rise hotels and the Falls themselves. One can walk through this tranquil setting and forget the hustle and bustle of the always crowded Clifton Hill just 100 yards north.” (Submitted on November 2, 2014.)
Additional commentary.
1. Rainbow Gardens
Constructed in 1937, it was designed by Howard Dunnington-Grubb, famed Canadian architect, assisted by J.V. Stensson and architect William Somerville. Fountains and sculpture were designed by Florence Wyle, Frances Loring and Elizabeth Wyn Wood.
the Hamilton Public Library Digitization Department, November 25, 1940
3. The Hon. Thomas Baker McQuesten as Transportation Minister
Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 15, 2014
4. Entrance to Oakes Garden Theatre
This marker is on the wall to the right of the staircases which lead to the grass-floored amphitheater.
5. “Oakes Garden Theatre and General Brock Hotel, Niagara Falls, Canada”
Compare this old postcard image with recent Photo No. 4. The General Brock Hotel is now the Crowne Plaza.
6. “American Falls from the Pergola, Oakes Garden Theatre, Niagara Falls, Canada”
This postcard view is the reverse from image No. 5.
7. “Rainbow Bridge Gardens and Carillon Tower, Niagara Falls, Ont.”
Compare this view with Photo No. 2. The marker post-dates this postcard. It would be placed at the end of the upper wall on the left.
8. “Rainbow Bridge and Carillon Tower, Niagara Falls, Canada”
On this linen postcard, the view is from Canada towards the United States. The falls are out of frame to the right.
November 4, 2014
9. “The Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, Canada”
This postcard view frames the three falls under the Rainbow Bridge. Published by “Photogelatine Engraving Co., Limited, Ottawa.”
Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025
10. Rainbow Gardens, looking north from Clifton Hill toward Rainbow Bridge
The marker (left) is near the staircase (far left) up to the Oakes Garden Theatre. River Road runs away on the right side of the photo. The complex for the Rainbow Bridge - including the Rainbow Tower - is in the distant centre. Rainbow Bridge is on the distant right.
Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025
11. Rainbow Gardens, looking north-west into Oakes Garden Theatre
The marker (far right) is at the base of stairs leading into Oakes Garden Theatre. Behind the curved back-wall of Oakes Garden Theatre are various Fallsview Casino buildings.
Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 18, 2025
12. Mather Arch, within Mather Park, Fort Erie
... part of McQuesten's legacy
Photographed by unknown; Detroit Publishing Co., publisher, circa 1920
13. International (Upper Steel Arch) Bridge from below, Niagara Falls
AKA Honeymoon Bridge or Fallsview Bridge; Opened 1898; destroyed 1938 by ice bridge. Library of Congress Control Number 2016810411
Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 937 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on July 20, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 2, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on November 4, 2014. 10, 11. submitted on July 5, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. 12, 13. submitted on July 20, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Niagara Parks School of Horticulture • Mather Park and Mather Arch • Fort George, Fort Erie and the MacKenzie House • Historic photos of Upper Steel Arch Bridge • More and better photos of Rainbow Gardens • Can you help?
