Fort Erie in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Crossing of the River Brethren

1784 - Ontario -1984

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 23, 2026

1. Crossing of the River Brethren - Marker

Inscription. The first groups of Pennsylvania Deutsch to settle in Upper Canada crossed the Niagara River near this point about 1780. Plain folk (English Quakers, German Lutherans. Reformed, Mennonites and Dunkards), United Empire Loyalists and British ex-soldiers all came to the Niagara Region either to escape the American Revolution, to accept free land, to enjoy freedom of worship and freedom from military serve, to stay loyal to the British king of German stock, or to satisfy their pioneering spirit. These pioneers have left us a rich heritage evident in such things as the region's place names, farming communities, religious life and educational institutions such as Niagara Christian College.

[?Created?] in co-operation with the Greater Fort Erie Bicentennial Committee 29 Sept 1984.

Erected 1984.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1780.

Location. 42° 57.346′ N, 78° 58.607′ W. Marker is in Fort Erie, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is

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on Niagara River Parkway near College Rd. Marker is on a low rock in a (sometimes bushy) flower garden, at the base of a flagpole, by a parking lot near a church college building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2619 Niagara River Pkwy, Fort Erie ON L2A 5M4, 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 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bert Miller (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Welland Canal at the Niagara Frontier (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Niagara's Freedom Trail - Little Africa (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Marina (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Gonder's Flats (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); For the Birds (approx. 1.4 kilometers

Crossing of the River Brethren - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 23, 2026

2. Crossing of the River Brethren - Marker in context

Photo faces north-west.

away in the U.S.); Restoring Nature (approx. 1.4 kilometers away in the U.S.); Mackenzie's Crossing 1837 (approx. 2.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Erie.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2026, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 25, 2026, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Get a better photo of the plaque; since THIS photo does not show the word in the bottom left corner. • Can you help?