Lundy’s Lane Battlefield
Located at the eastern end of Lundy’s Lane is the National Historic Site of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane. Fought on July 25, 1814, over 6000 soldiers representing the United States, Great Britain and their Native Allies battled through hot, dark and smoky conditions. This is known as the bloodiest battle of the War of 1812 and is the second bloodiest battle to occur on Canadian soil.
The Niagara Falls Museums have produced a walking tour of the battlefield. The tour can be picked up at the Niagara Falls History Museum on Ferry Street, which is also a good starting point of the tour (approximately 1.7km in distance). Follow the trail on the map to experience the American advance and the British defense on the Lundy’s Lane Battlefield. You can also download the walking tour of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane.
The Battlefield is located steps from the Museum and the area has historical markers to provide information about the Battle and history of the neighbourhood to provide a great experience. To get a sense of what tourism to the battlefield was like in the 1850s, visit us at the Battle Ground Hotel Museum. This Museum is open seasonally on weekends.
The cemetery is the focal point of the battle, with the Battle of Lundy’s Lane Memorial being the most pronounced marker on the field. The beautiful Copper Beech Tree is another feature of the property, along with memorials and tombstones for various American and Canadian soldiers who fought in the Battle of Lundy’s Lane and several others who didn’t.
The Battle of Lundy’s Lane was fought between the British and the Americans on the highest point of land in Niagara Falls, along the portage road that went around the great cataract. In 1814, American forces started a third year of battles with another Niagara campaign. Niagara was a focal point throughout the war and was strategically critical. The Americans crossed at Fort Erie, took that fort and proceeded to head north eventually penning the British in at Fort George. After much back and forth between Fort George and Chippawa, the British took a stand at the heights that is now called Drummond Hill and set up their artillery to stop the Americans from heading to Burlington Heights and cutting off the British supply line.
Under heavy fire the Americans took the British Artillery and turned the guns on the British. The British sent several waves of forces at the guns and both sides suffered heavy losses. As the sun rose in the morning, the Americans left the hill in need of water and the British retrieved their artillery.
Visit the battlefield and see the British trench line, the grave of Canada’s most famous heroine from the War of 1812 (Laura Secord), statues, the beautiful copper beech tree planted as a legacy of the war and the Memorial Statue
The most famous individual buried in the cemetery is Laura Secord, whose exploits during the Battle of Beaver Dams is known by most Canadians.