Fonthill in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Early Years
⎯⎯⎯
Les premières décennies
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2011
1. The Early Years Marker
Navy Hall originally consisted of a small shipyard, storehouses, residences and docks which served as a depot for local supplies; it also served as a transhipment point for the posts on the upper Great Lakes. From 1792 to 1796 Lieutenant Governor Simcoe had offices and his residence in the complex. These buildings were later converted to military use until destroyed by American artillery fire during the War of 1812.
[Captions:]
View of the Navy Hall complex and Fort George from the American side of the Niagara River prior to the War of 1812. (NAC/ANC C-26)
Survey Plan of Fort George and Navy Hall showing the dock and stores buildings along the waterfront, circa 1799. (NAC/ANC)
this page online
[Légende de les images:]
Vue du complexe de Navy Hall et du fort George, prise de la rive américaine avant la guerre de 1812. (ANC/NAC C-26).
Levé du fort George et de Navy Hall, vers 1799. On remarque le quai et les entrepôts au bord de la rivière. (ANC/NAC)
Erected by Canadian Parks Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1765.
Location. 43° 15.137′ N, 79° 3.54′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Fonthill. It is on Ricardo Street 0.4 kilometers east of Melville Street, on the left when traveling south. This historical marker is located on the grounds of the Navy Hall, between the site of Fort George and the Niagara River, nearest to the Niagara River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 305 Ricardo Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1J0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Golden Horseshoe and in Niagara Canada.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2011
2. The Early Years Marker
View of featured historical marker with a group of markers, on the grounds of Navy Hall, with a view of Navy Hall in the background.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Later Years / Après la guerre de 1812 (here, next to this marker); Navy Hall (here, next to this marker); John Graves Simcoe (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named John Graves Simcoe (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir Isaac Brock's First Burial Site (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Battle of Fort George (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); a different marker also named Fort Niagara (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); a different marker also named A Strategic Site (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Other markers no longer nearby. Fort Niagara (was approx. 0.3 kilometers away but has been replaced with
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2011
3. View of Fort Niagara
View from the grounds of the Navy Hall, looking north along the Niagara River towards Fort Niagara and Lake Ontario beyond the fort.
Regarding The Early Years / Les premières décennies. The Navy Hall is located on the Canadian side of the Niagara River, just a short distance upstream from Fort Niagara which is located on the United States side of the River. Because the Navy Hall was located within the range of the cannon situated at Fort Niagara, its structures ended up being destroyed by American artillery fire during the War of 1812.
Also see . . .
1. Navy Hall. This is a link to information provided by a web site that is Administered by Parks Canada. (Submitted on November 15, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
2. Navy Hall. This is a link to information provided by Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Submitted on November 15, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2011
4. View of Fort Niagara
Another view from the grounds of the Navy Hall, looking north along the Niagara River towards Fort Niagara.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2011
5. View of Fort Niagara
View of Fort Niagara as seen from the Canadian side of the River.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 548 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on September 2, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 20, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
