Fort Erie in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Niagara Movement - Laying the Groundwork for the NAACP
Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 23, 2026
1. The Niagara Movement - Marker
From the Niagara Movement Garrison pledge:
"I herby pledge myself to fight in freedom: freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom to vote, freedom to enjoy public conveniences & freedom to associate with those who wish to associate with me...
I will be harse as truth & uncompromising as justice... we may be personally defeated - but our principles, never. I am in earnest. I will not equivocate. I will not retreat a single inch
and I will be heard."
[Centre column]
The Erie Beach Hotel, which stood on this site, was one of the two locations chosen for the inaugural meetings of the Niagara Movement. On July 12-13, 1905 W.E.B. Du Bois and twenty-eight men from fourteen states met here to write the group's founding principles.
Although the first meeting of the conference was held in Buffalo on July 11, Du Bois had arranged to move the group to "a quiet place outside the city near the water where we can be to ourselves, hold conferences together and at the same time have bathing, croquet, tennis and fishing for recreation." The Erie Beach Hotel was far enough away from Buffalo to ensure
this page online
The organization's principles were designed to further African Americans' fight for civil rights building upon the hard earned progress gained since the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Athough the movement itself had a national scope, the name Niagara Movement was chosen due to the location's proximity to Niagara Falls.
This organization was a catalyst for the modern civil rights movement and went on to become the NAACP - the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Erected by Town of Fort Erie.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 42° 53.041′ N, 78° 56.378′ W. Marker is in Fort Erie, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is at the intersection of Helena Street and Edgemere Rd, on the right when traveling north on Helena Street. The marker is 30 metres east of Helena St, beside the diagonal
Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 23, 2026
2. The Niagara Movement's "Declaration of Principles" of 1905
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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Arriving at Erie Beach (within shouting distance of this marker); Entertainment at Erie Beach (within shouting distance of this marker); The View from the Dance Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Erie Beach Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Erie (approx. 1.6 kilometers away); Capture of the "Ohio" and "Somers" (approx. 1.7 kilometers away); The First Fort Erie (approx. 1.7 kilometers away); Fort Erie, Pro Patria Mori Cairn (approx. 1.8 kilometers away).
Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 23, 2026
3. Marker in context
Photo faces west and north-west. Concession Road's dead-end has parking.
More about this marker. Images:
1. Top left: Photos and names of 27 people from "The Original Twenty-nine" people that met.
2. Bottom centre: The Niagara Movement's "Declaration of Principles 1905", a variety of political stances.
3. Top right: The Erie Beach Hotel in summer.
4. Bottom right: Niagara Movement logo.
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 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 25, 2026, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario.
