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

The First Provincial Parliament 1792

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019

1. The First Provincial Parliament 1792 Marker

Inscription. On September 17, 1792, Colonel John Graves Simcoe, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, opened in this community, then the capital, the first provincial parliament. The legislature consisted of an appointed Legislative Council and an elected Legislative Assembly. Its opening marked the introduction of a form of representative government into this province. Previously, both the French and British regimes had been directed by a royal governor advised by an appointed council of officials and prominent citizens. This first parliament held all its sittings in “Newark”, as Simcoe had re-named Niagara, but the second was summoned to meet in 1797 at York (Toronto), the new seat of government.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 17, 1792.

Location. 43° 15.346′ N, 79° 4.19′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is at the intersection of King Street and Byron

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Street, on the right when traveling north on King Street. Marker is at the west corner of Simcoe Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 153 King St, 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: Niagara Lodge No. 2 G.R.C. (within shouting distance of this marker); Bicentennial of First Parliament (within shouting distance of this marker); First Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada (within shouting distance of this marker); John Graves Simcoe (within shouting distance of this marker); Upper Canada Gazette, or American Oracle (within shouting distance of this marker); Niagara Historical Society (about 90 meters away, measured

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019

2. The First Provincial Parliament 1792 Marker

in a direct line); Centennial of Confederation (about 90 meters away); Niagara Agricultural Society (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Marker in Simcoe Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019

3. Marker in Simcoe Park

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on September 6, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 20, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.