War of 1812 Bicentennial

Celebrating the Day

It had been decided to travel by the Grand Trunk Railway train leaving Toronto at nine o'clock a.m. (a few only going by steamer from Yonge Street wharf). The unsettled, rainy weather of the two previous days had caused some misgiving as to the number of people who might venture on an open air demonstration on a cold October day, and the grey looming skies at dawn on Saturday, the 12th, held no hidden hope of a silver lining. The enthusiasm awakened by the name of Brock, how­ever, was resistless, and betimes the seats in the waiting train were crowded. The Union Station witnessed a lively scene—the soldiers in bright colours, the ladies and gentlemen in gay humour, and the stirring music of the bagpipes, combining to enliven and mark the unusual character of the occasion.

At Hamilton a number of friends joined the party, and others who could not do so came to the railway station to express their good wishes. St. Catharines also gave its contingent. Niagara Falls was safely reached at 11.45 o'clock.

Shortly afterwards Major Gordon J. Smith, Brantford, Superintendent of the Six Nation Indians, and a fine delegation arrived, and luncheon was served at several of the hotels.

The journey was resumed by electric cars, the large company arriving at Queenston Heights in the course of an hour.

During the forenoon the sky had cleared, and now the sun shone out brightly for a space on a landscape unsurpassed anywhere for spacious magnificence and scenic beauty. And crowning the domed escarpment the stately column spoke forth a people's patriotism and love, a memorial to the brave, the scene harmonizing with the feelings of the great gathering.

First Monument to General Brock at Queenston Heights.

—Ontario Archives.