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

Upper Canada Gazette, or American Oracle

Thursday, April 18, 1793

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019

1. Upper Canada Gazette, or American Oracle Marker

Inscription.
Ontario’s first newspaper, Upper Canada Gazette, or American Oracle was published in Niagara-on-the-Lake by Louis Roy, King’s Printer to John Graves Simcoe, founding Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. The first edition of four pages appeared April 18, 1793. On this 200th anniversary, the Ontario Community Newspapers Association erected this plaque to commemorate the introduction of the newspaper for public communication and community service in Ontario.

Erected 1993 by Ontario Community Newspapers Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Communications. A significant historical date for this entry is April 18, 1793.

Location. 43° 15.311′ N, 79° 4.207′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It can be reached from King Street north of Picton Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in Simcoe Park, 30 metres south-east of King St, and 10 metres south of the John Graves Simcoe statue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 177 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: John Graves Simcoe (a few steps from this marker); First Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada (a few steps from this marker); Bicentennial of First Parliament

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(a few steps from this marker); Niagara Historical Society (a few steps from this marker); Niagara Agricultural Society (within shouting distance of this marker); Centennial of Confederation (within shouting distance of this marker); Town of Niagara (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Provincial Parliament 1792 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 2, 2025

2. Marker in context

Photo faces south and south-west. Picton St (hidden) is in the left background; Simcoe statue faces north-west toward King St (hidden right). There are 4 little plaques around the Simcoe statue, in 4 cardinal directions. This marker (left, with arrows) is to the south, toward the washroom building (out-of-frame left), lurking under a big tree.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019

3. Upper Canada Gazette, or American Oracle Marker

Marker in Simcoe Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019

4. Marker in Simcoe Park

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 418 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on September 6, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1. submitted on September 23, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on September 6, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. 3, 4. submitted on September 23, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.