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

Niagara Agricultural Society

1792 - 1805

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019

1. Niagara Agricultural Society Marker

Inscription. The first organization devoted to the improvement of agriculture in Ontario was founded at Niagara. Its original name, the Agricultural Society of Upper Canada, reflected Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe’s hope that it would become a province-wide organization. Its members, mostly merchants, politicians, clergymen and gentlemen farmers, met regularly for dinner and discussion. They imported new varieties of fruit trees to the Niagara peninsula in 1794 and sponsored the province’s first agricultural fair in Queenston in 1799. The society folded in 1805 and left its collection of reference books to the Niagara Library. Although the society was short-lived, its scientific approach to farming anticipated the work of regional agricultural societies run by farmers after 1820.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1792.

Location. 43° 15.298′ N, 79° 4.232′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is at the intersection of King Street and Picton Street, on the right when traveling north on King

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Street. Marker near the west corner of Simcoe Park, 2 metres from the sidewalk along King St. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 Queen 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 Historical Society (a few steps from this marker); Town of Niagara (a few steps from this marker); Niagara Apothecary (within shouting distance of this marker); Upper Canada Gazette, or American Oracle (within shouting distance of this marker); John Graves Simcoe (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); Centennial of Confederation (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019

2. Niagara Agricultural Society Marker

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019

3. Niagara Agricultural Society Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 257 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on September 6, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 22, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.