Laura Secord (1775-1868)
Text from the plaque
This celebrated heroine of the War of 1812 is a renowned figure in Canadian History. Determined to warn the British of an impending attack on Beaver Dams, Secord set out from her home on June 22, 1813, on a dangerous mission. She traveled alone for over 30 kilometres behind enemy lines, struggling to make it to the De Cew farmhouse, where she informed Lieutenant FitzGibbon about the American plan. Later in the 19th century, a first generation of women historians championed Secord's courageous deed with the goal of uncovering and popularizing women's contributions to the history of Canada.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The Region of Niagara
The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
In Queenston, on the north side of Partition Street
just east of the Niagara Parkway
Also recorded for this place: www.friendsoflaurasecord.com
N 43 09.851 W 79 03.320
Recorded November 2009. Check current access before visiting.
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Visitors' notes
June 23, 2015
This night in 1813, Laura Secord made her arduous journey from her Queenston home to De Cew House. To mark the bicentennial in 2013, the trek was reenacted and the public welcomed to participate. Those walks have become an annual event. For details, seewww.friendsoflaurasecord.com. As part of the bicentennial effort, a new footbridge was constructed near where Secord crossed Twelve Mile Creek. There, a marker was affixed which reads: The Bridge at Laura's Crossing On June 22, 1813, Laura Secord crossed the swirling, rain-swollen waters of this creek to warn Lt. Jame FitzGibbon of an impending American attack. Her brave warning allowed Native warriors, Canadian militia, and British soldiers to intercept the American invaders at Beaverdams, turning the tide of the war and helping to protect the nation that we now know as Canada. Two hundred years later, the Friends of Laura Secord joined with key benefactors and Canadians from all walks of life to create the Bridge at Laura's Crossing. May all who cross here remember the legacy of Laura Secord, the First Nations peoples, and the countless other brave women and men whose labour, toil, battle and sacrifice gave rise to this great nation. June 22, 2013 The Friends of Laura Secord are grateful to the following benefactors whose generosity made this bridge possible: The Toby Family Ontario Parks City of St. Catharines Rankin Construction Inc. Suspension bridge design graciously supplied by the New Zealand Department of Conservation -Wayne
January 28, 2009
I love Laura Secord. She is awesome and this site really is awesome for doing this for her.