Port Colborne in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The War of 1812 in the Sugarloaf Settlement
Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 13, 2026
1. The War of 1812 in the Sugarloaf Settlement - south-east side
After the fall of Fort Erie in May of 1813, Sugarloaf farmers with their wagons assisted the British retreat of the 41st Regiment through here to the Grand River. This settlement and the militia stationed here were attacked three times later that year by Capt. Cyrenius Chapin's American mounted riflemen who spared Zavitz Mill from destruction. On Oct. 28, 1814, renegade leader John Dixon was mortally wounded by a militia guard posted near the mill, thereby marking the end of active hostilities on the Niagara Peninsula. Torn down in the late 1800's, Zavitz Mill was located a short distance west of here beside the creek entering Gravelly Bay.
Dedicated to the memory of the men from the townships of Humberstone and Wainfleet who served in the 3rd Regiment of Lincoln Militia from 1812 to 1814.
[Plaque on north-west side:]
A millstone used in the Sugar Loaf grist mill
A notable factor in the developement of the Niagara District
Built A. D. 1790 by Christian Sevitz (Zavitz)
A settler from Pennsylvania
Erected 2012.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1790.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this memorial 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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: In memory of our sisters (Montreal Dec 6 1989) (within shouting distance of this marker); Port Colborne War Memorial Cenotaph (within shouting distance of this marker); D-Day (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Safety Follows Wisdom (about 120 meters away); Wildwood c. 1876 (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Settlement Begins - Port Colborne's Early Inhabitants (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Canal Commerce and Industry / Le Canal: Commerce et Industrie (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); West Street (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Colborne.
More about this memorial. The monument unveiled in 2012 includes an older millstone (one of two millstones from the Zavitz mill) and an older historic plaque (vintage unknown to me), mounted on a newer stand that includes a plaque about the war of 1812.
Also see . . . Short biography of Christian Zavitz (on a personal website). (Submitted on June 15, 2026, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario.)
Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 13, 2026
2. The War of 1812 in the Sugarloaf Settlement - north-west side
Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 13, 2026
3. The War of 1812 in the Sugarloaf Settlement - south-west side
Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 13, 2026
4. The War of 1812 in the Sugarloaf Settlement - north-east side
This lists members of the Zavitz family.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2026, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 15, 2026, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario.
