The Landing at Lewiston, New York--"most historic square mile in America"

by Kathleen L. Maher

Lewiston makes a bold boast among all the towns with rich history in these United States by claiming to have the most historic square mile in America. My mind races to places like Yorktown, Gettysburg, Lexington, and Washington. Surely Lewiston can't beat the events of historical significance that occurred in these famous places. Who has ever heard of Lewiston, anyway? (Pat Iacuzzi and Debra Marvin, shhhhhh--we already know you know-- :D ).

From the ancient to the present, Lewiston on the Niagara has seen plenty of significant action throughout the years. Artifacts from 7000 years ago trace indigenous dwellers to the area, and Iroquoian speaking people have left a mark for over 600 years.  The Tuscarora, who would be welcomed in the 1800's as the sixth sister in the Iroquois confederacy, had a village here before the Revolutionary War, Yehęwakwáʼthaʼ.

Known simply as the Landing since the earliest whites came--French fur traders from Canada in 1600's--the village was the first European settlement in Western NY in 1720. Lewiston's current name comes from Morgan Lewis, a 19th century governor of New York.

Lewiston shines when it comes to War of 1812 history. It was the launching point of the first major battle of the war, the Battle of Queenston Heights, detailed in my previous post. New York State Militia crossed the Niagara River into Canada October 13, 1812. The Americans lost that battle, and in December 1813, the British burned Lewiston to the ground in retaliation for that initial strike. Civilians were attacked and killed, the city was in chaos, while the American militia skedaddled.


All would have been lost if not for the astonishing heroism of the Tuscaroras. They came from their nearby village as soon as they saw the smoke rising from the Landing, rushing to the aid of the citizens fleeing through slush and muck from the marauding British. Though surrounded 30 to one, the Tuscarora stood alone. One detail came around the British at the escarpment blowing horns, making the illusion of superior numbers, while another detail attacked with war whoops from the heights. This created a delaying action that allowed scores of women and children to escape with their lives.

A memorial to the bravery of the Tuscarora tribe will be unveiled in Lewiston on December 19 of this year, marking the 200th anniversary of these "Tuscarora Heroes." For more info on the beautiful commemorative sculpture planned, see: http://lee389.wix.com/tuscaroraheroes.

Lewiston also boasts the first recorded railway in the United States. "The Cradles" as they were called, were built in 1764 by a British Army engineer named John Montresor, and were a series of wooden rails on which loads of goods were raised by rope over the Niagara Escarpment.

Freedom Crossing monument

In the 1800's slaves escaped to freedom into Canada along routes bringing them through Lewiston as they departed the US.

The Frontier House was the furthest outpost of civilization west of the Hudson, offering distinguished travelers fine accommodation since 1824. Many famous people have stayed at the Frontier House, including President McKinley, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, Henry Clay, and Daniel Webster.

Frontier House facing the Niagara

From ancient times through the Colonial period and the 19th century, this little village situated near Niagara Falls packs a lot of history per square mile. If you're ever sightseeing at the Falls, make sure to leave a bit of time in your itinerary for Lewiston, and judge for yourself if you think its boast has bang or just all brag.

It's WAR! June 18 marks the 201st anniversary of the Declaration of the War of 1812

"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That war be and is hereby declared to exist between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the dependencies thereof, and the United States of America and their territories; and that the President of the United States is hereby authorized to use the whole land and naval force of the United States to carry the same into effect, and to issue to private armed vessels of the United States commissions or letters of marque and general reprisal, in such form as he shall think proper, and under the seal of the United States, against the vessels, goods, and effects of the government of the said United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the subjects thereof."

Fort Macinack by Seth Eastman

So reads the Declaration of War signed by President Madison. The ink was barely dry when eager troops launched into Canada from New York's border to attack British forces. That early confidence proved premature when the British capture Fort Mackinac, and Fort Dearborn is abandoned that summer.

General Van Rensselaer, in command of 500 New York Militia troops, attempted to eradicate the British from the Niagara Peninsula when he crossed the Niagara River into Queensland Heights. They succeed in driving the enemy from the top of the heights, but when the small contingent calls for reinforcements, they are met with two obstacles: other NY militia members are hesitant to leave their home state undefended and refuse to go. And then, politics interfere when General Smythe of the regular army wouldn't send his force stationed at Buffalo to help the militia. America loses the Battle of Queensland Heights.

A shaky start to the war did not mean all hope was lost. "Old Ironsides" takes British frigate the H.M.S. Guerrière in the epic battle depicted in this print. 600 miles east of Boston, the USS Constitution meets the British vessel and delivers its first broadside. The battle went on for 20 minutes' bombardment until the British man-of-war lost its mast. The Constitution by contrast incurred little damage. The victory galvanized the new country and made Commander Hull a household name.  Old Ironsides earned its name, going on to defeat or capture seven more British vessels. It also ran the British blockade of Boston twice.

New York State would play a vital role in the war, as naval battles on the Great Lakes would be launched from several points along the New York/Canadian border. In this war, Watervliet, NY became the site of America's oldest continuously used arsenal, positioned along the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers and able to supply both the northern and western fronts. The Niagara Frontier increases in importance and stages some of the worst fighting in the War. New York Harbor and the St Lawrence River also set the stage of wartime drama. In future posts I hope to explore each of these a little closer. 

Kathleen L. Maher writes about NY history. Her novella Bachelor Buttons is part of a Civil War sesquicentennial collection released through Helping Hands Press. She won the 2012 ACFW Genesis contest, and  is represented by Terry Burns of Hartline Literary Agency. She and her husband live in a 100-year-old farmhouse in upstate NY with their three children, two Newfoundland dogs and a tuxedo cat.