Niagara Falls in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Burr Lockhart Plato
1833 - 1905
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019
1. Burr Lockhart Plato Marker
Born into slavery in Logan County in what is now West Virginia U.S.A. Plato and several friends used the Underground Railroad to reach Canada in 1856, settling in Niagara Falls. He became a popular and respected businessman, as well as an active member of the British Methodist Episcopal Church.
Burr Plato became one of the first Blacks in Canada to be elected to political office, when in 1886 he became a councillor for what was then the Village of Niagara Falls. He held the position almost each year until his retirement from public life in 1901.
Mr. Plato is resting in historic Drummondville Cemetery.
Erected by Descendants of Burr Plato and Members of the British Methodist Episcopal Church.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Immigration • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.
Location. 43° 5.315′ N, 79° 5.69′ W. Marker is in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It can be reached from Lundy's Lane, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located beside a gravel path along the
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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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Facing the American Attack (here, next to this marker); The Americans Attack (within shouting distance of this marker); The Americans Capture the British Guns (within shouting distance of this marker); Cecil Bishopp (within shouting distance of this marker); One Hundredth Anniversary of the Battle of Lundy's Lane (within shouting distance of this marker); Drummond Hill Cemetery (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Battle Stages (about 90 meters away);
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019
2. Burr Lockhart Plato Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019
3. Marker in Drummond Hill Cemetery
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019
4. Grave of Burr Lockhart Plato
Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 504 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on September 6, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 22, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
