Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (February 2007) |
| Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake | |
| The Olde Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake | |
| Nickname: The Loveliest Town in Canada | |
| Location of Niagara-on-the-Lake in the Niagara Region. | |
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada Image:Flag of Canada.svg |
| Province | Ontario Image:Flag of Ontario.svg |
| Region | Niagara Image:RMNiagaraFlag.jpg |
| Settled | 1781 |
| Incorporated | 1792 |
| Government | |
| - Lord Mayor | Gary Burroughs |
| - Governing body | NOTL Town Council |
| - MP | Rob Nicholson |
| - MPP | Kim Craitor |
| Area | |
| - Total | 132.83 km² (51.3 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 82.3 m (270 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
| - Total | 14,587 |
| - Density | 109.8/km² (284.4/sq mi) |
| [2] | |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern Daylight|EDT (UTC-4) |
| Postal code | L0S 1J0 |
| Area code(s) | 905/289 |
| Website: notl.org | |
Niagara-on-the-Lake (2001 population 13,839) is a Canadian town located near where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario in the Niagara Region of southern Ontario. It is located across the Niagara river from Youngstown, New York.
The original site was a Neutral Nation village known as Onghiara. In 1781 the British government established Butlersburg which later became known as West Niagara. Many of the first inhabitants were Loyalists who fled the United States during and immediately after the American Revolution.
In 1792 the village was incorporated as the Town of Newark and was named the capital of the Province of Upper Canada. The town lost that distinction to York (now Toronto) in 1797, as Newark's proximity to the United States presented a danger. The town was renamed Niagara in 1798. During the War of 1812, American forces captured and later destroyed the town before they withdrew. The British rebuilt, however, and today it has retained much of its historical charm. The present name was adopted around 1880 as a Postal Address to distinguish the town from Niagara Falls. The name was not officially adopted until 1970, when an act of Parliament joined the Town of Niagara, and the Township of Niagara as one.
Contents |
[edit] Historic Sites
Most of the former military sites, such as Fort George, Navy Hall, and Butler's Barracks, have been restored. Fort George's restoration was done as a "Make Work Project", guided by plans from the Royal Engineers, during the Great Depression of the 1930s, an early example of historic preservation. Fort George National Historic Site is a focal point in a collection of War of 1812 sites which, collectively, are managed by Parks Canada under the name Niagara National Historic Sites. That administrative name includes several national historic sites: Fort Mississauga, Mississauga Point Lighthouse (1804, the first on the Great Lakes), Navy Hall, Butler's Barracks, and Queenston Heights.
[edit] Dinner and a Show
The town is home to the Shaw Festival, a months–long series of theatrical productions featuring the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. The festival operates three theatres in the centre of town: the Festival, Royal George, and Court House heaters, and features one of a repertory acting company, scenic staff, and collection of resident and guest directors considered some of the best in the English-speaking world.
The surrounding region enjoys a comparatively mild climate thanks to the adjoining lakes, and excellent soil for fruit production, for which it has become one of Canada's centres. In particular, NOTL has grown into a major viticultural region. Visitors flock to dozens of nearby wineries, including those making the world's largest volumes of ice wine.
There are many inns, B&Bs, and spas in the area.
The town accentuates its British heritage, and features the only Lord Mayor in Canada. Prior to 1970, the town was simply the Town of Niagara, and the title was Mayor. In 1970, the Town of Niagara, and the Township of Niagara were merged to create the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The title of "Lord Mayor" was to be given to all Mayors from that time forward. Many people incorrectly refer to the Mayor of Niagara prior to that time as having the title of "Lord". The First Lord Mayor was Frederick S. Goring, and other former Lord Mayors include Jake Frose, Wilbert Dick, Jim Marino, Stan Ignatczyk, Art Viola, and Mike Dietsch. The current Lord Mayor is Gary Burroughs.
[edit] Demographics
Only 15% of the population is under 14 years of age. Those over 65 years of age number 22.6% and constitute a fast-growing population. The town has seen growth of almost 1% yearly, partially due to a large number of retirees moving to the town.
[edit] Niagara-on-the-Lake on Stamps
ScoutCanada1955stamp.jpg
Stamp issued in 1955 for the World Scout Jamboree, held at Niagara-on-the-Lake |
[edit] Awards and recognition
The Town of Niagara was the site of the 8th World Scout Jamboree in 1955. Over 11,000 Scouts from 71 countries attended the Jamboree. It was the first to be held outside Europe and had the theme "Jamboree of New Horizons."
[edit] Communities
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Niagara-on-the-Lake official site
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce Web Site
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum Web Site
- Images from the Historic Niagara Digital Collections at the Niagara Falls Public Library
- Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario is at coordinates Coordinates:
| Image:Compass rose pale.svg | Lake Ontario | Image:Compass rose pale.svg | ||
| St. Catharines | Image:North.svg | Niagara River | ||
| Image:West.svg Niagara-on-the-Lake Image:East.svg | ||||
| Image:South.svg | ||||
| Niagara Falls |
Regional Municipality of Niagara |
|---|
Cities: Niagara Falls · Port Colborne · St. Catharines · Thorold · Welland Towns: Fort Erie · Grimsby · Lincoln · Niagara-on-the-Lake · Pelham Townships: Wainfleet · West Lincoln |
Inner Ring of Golden Horseshoe | ||
|---|---|---|
| Largest City: | Toronto | Image:Map of Ontario GOLDEN HORSESHOE.svg |
| Regions: | Durham Region • Halton Region • Peel Region • York Region • City of Hamilton • Niagara Region | |
| Cities: | Brampton • Burlington • Mississauga • Niagara Falls • Oshawa • Pickering • Port Colborne • St. Catharines • Thorold • Vaughan • Welland | |
| Towns and Major Communities: | Ajax • Aurora • Bolton • Bowmanville • Brock • Buttonville • Caledon • Clarington • Concord • East Gwillimbury • Fort Erie • Georgina • Grimsby • Lincoln • Halton Hills • Keswick • King • Kleinburg • Maple • Markham • Milton • Newmarket • Niagara-on-the-Lake • Oakville • Pelham • Richmond Hill • Scugog • Sutton • Thornhill • Unionville • Uxbridge • Whitby • Whitchurch-Stouffville • Woodbridge | |
de:Niagara-on-the-Lake es:Niagara-on-the-Lake eo:Niagara-on-the-Lake (Ontario) ja:ナイアガラオンザレイク pl:Niagara-on-the-Lake pt:Niagara-on-the-Lake sv:Niagara-on-the-Lake uk:Ніагара-он-да-Лейк zh:滨湖尼亚加拉
