Black History on the Trans Canada Trail in Niagara, Ontario, Canada

Explore key stops on the Underground Railroad along the Trans Canada Trail

Historic plaques bring Black Canadian history alive on the Niagara River Recreation Trail in Niagara, Ontario, Canada

Black History on the Trans Canada Trail in Niagara, Ontario can be explored through a series of historic plaques and monuments located along the Niagara River Recreation Trail. This 57 km long paved hiking and cycling path is also known as the Fort to Fort Trail, because it follows the shores of the Niagara River from the Fort Erie National Historic Site of Canada in Fort Erie to the Fort George National Historic Site in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Whether you are exploring the trail on foot, bicycle, eBike, inline skates, or cross-country skis, or taking a leisurely drive on the Niagara Parkway, the area is rich in history, and it offers visitors an exciting opportunity to learn about the important role Black British, Black Loyalists, and Black Canadians had in helping shape Canada. Consequently, this route is also known as the Niagara Freedom Trail, because over 20 stops along its length highlight Niagara's role as a major terminus of the Underground Railroad, which was a series of routes, safe houses, and abolitionists that operated during the early to mid-nineteenth century to help African American slaves escape to free states and to Canada.

Bertie Street Ferry Landing: Learning about Black History on the Trans Canada Trail

The Bertie Street Ferry Landing is one of the first stops highlighting Black Canadian history that we encountered after leaving the Fort Erie National Historic Site on the Niagara River Recreation Trail. An historic plaque located in Freedom Park indicates that the small and neatly landscaped green space was once the landing spot for the longest operating ferry across the Niagara River, which was active from around 1796 until 1950. Interestingly, a nearby plaque entitled 'The Crossing' explains the importance of the ferry system to the Underground Railroad. Amazingly, historians estimate that up to 40,000 individuals escaped slavery in the American south by fleeing to Upper Canada, and ferry rides across the Niagara River from Buffalo, New York to Fort Erie, Ontario were the final stage in that long and extremely dangerous journey for many of those seeking freedom. Standing at the Bertie Street Ferry Landing, looking across the river at the United States, it is difficult to image what escaping slaves must have felt when they first landed here.

Bertie Hall:

Bertie Hall is the next stop hikers and cyclists will encounter on the Niagara River Recreation Trail, as they head north out of Fort Erie, on this section of the Trans Canada Trail in Ontario. This beautiful Greek revival style red brick mansion, with its row of stately white columns out front, was used as a warehouse in the nineteenth century. More importantly, it may also have served as a safe house for escaped slaves who had managed to cross the border into Upper Canada.  Unfortunately, entering Canada didn't always ensure a former slave's freedom and safety, as American bounty hunters were known to search the region seeking to recapture escapees.  Places like Bertie Hall often served as 'safe houses' where fugitive former slaves could hide. Our attention was drawn to this important building by a metalwork symbol of a fleeing slave located beside the historic plaque.

Little Africa: An Historically Important Community of Black Canadians in Niagara

Little Africa was a community of Black Canadians that was established in the area during the 1840's by escaped former slaves who decided to settle in the Niagara Falls region of Ontario, Canada. An unassuming plaque commemorating this community is located at the south side of the parking lot for the Niagara Parks Marina at Miller's Creek. Interestingly, the monument was placed as a reminder that many Canadian towns were established by Black people who had a significant influence upon the region. In addition, according to the Freedom Trail pamphlet, many former slaves who resided in the region made their living supplying lumber and wood to local railways and shipbuilders.  Although unassuming, this is an important stop for learning about Black history on the Trans Canada Trail in Niagara, Ontario.

William Fitzgerald: Making History as the First African American Daredevil to Brave Niagara Falls

William Fitzgerald (1924 - 2022) comes to mind when you stand on Table Rock looking down at the awesome power of the water flowing over the famous Niagara Falls. Many daredevils have chosen to ride over the 52 m tall Horseshoe Falls, which has an astounding flow rate of around 750,000 gallons of water per second, in various conveyances over the years. However, William was the first African American to do so, riding over the falls in 1961 inside a metal sphere he helped to design called a 'Plunge-o-Sphere.' Unfortunately, a recent change in the rules required people to obtain a permit before going over the falls, which Fitzgerald failed to do. Apparently, he was the first person to be charged for violating the new rule, but paid the $100 fine without complaint.  While there is no historical plaque to commemorate this individual, taking a moment to remember the historic 'firsts' that have taken place, and recognizing the richness and diversity of the brave and talented people who achieved them is another way to celebrate Black history on the Trans Canada Trail in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Harriet Tubman: Famous Conductor on the Underground Railroad

Harriet Tubman is one of the most famous conductors on the Underground Railroad, and we encountered two historical plaques honoring her contributions on the side of the Niagara River Recreation Trail just north of the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge. The first plaque, which was installed in 2017 by the Niagara Parks Commission, commemorates Tubman's initial crossing into Canada in 1856. Amazingly, she made that crossing on a suspension bridge located near where the Whirlpool Bridge is now situated. Harriet Tubman was born a slave in Maryland, and after escaping to Canada she became an icon of the Underground Railroad. In particular, she helped hundreds of escaped slaves reach Canada after passage of the U.S. Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, which led to the hunting, arrest, and kidnapping of former slaves, and free Black persons in both northern American states and British Canada. While Harriet Tubman is frequently recognized as a scout, spy, and nurse, her knowledge of nature and birds is less well-known. Interestingly, Tubman was a naturalist who used her knowledge of local flora and fauna to survive, and she used owl calls as a signal on the Underground Railroad to help in freeing slaves.

The Colored Corps: Black Canadians in the Military

Mackenzie Printery and Newspaper Museum for the Colonial Advocate

Chloe Cooley: Inspiration for the 1793 Act to Limit Slavery

Parliament Oak School

"Black history is not just for Black people - Black history is Canadian history."

by Jean Augustine

Voices of Freedom Park

In Conclusion

In conclusion, Black history on the Trans Canada Trail can be explored through a series of historic plaques and monuments located along the Niagara River Recreation Trail, while also experiencing Niagara Falls, one of Ontario's most popular tourist destinations. During our Come Walk With Us Expedition, we encountered other opportunities to learn about Black history on the 28,000 km Trans Canada Trail as well, including a visit to the cinema in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia where Viola Irene Desmond, a Black Canadian civil and rights activist and business woman challenged racial segregation in 1946.

Black History on the Trans Canada Trail, Niagara, Ontario

Explore key stops on the Underground Railroad on the Trans Canada Trail