Blog

“a bad profession for any but very sober men.”   

As we welcome in 2025, some of us may partake in a drop of bubbly, others might now be embarking on ‘Dry January’, a chance to enjoy some non-alcoholic days. And some others might be enjoying ‘Damp January’, a little less challenging perhaps with the occasional tipple allowed. Back in the early settler years of Upper Canada, no such restraint was evident, as visitors to local inns and taverns celebrated the New Year with much ‘wassailing’ - a tradition that stems from pagan times and demanded much toasting of good health. This New Years Eve, locals gathered at the Memorial Clock Tower, a NOTL tradition of its own, with much “waes hael”, something Niagara’s early innkeepers would surely have appreciated. 

Inns or taverns, terms that are often used synonymously to describe early 19th Century hostelry, were the focus for news and gossip. Broadsides and other notices were posted on the walls of the establishment and copies of the weekly newspaper might have been available. Until town halls were built, the inn was often a county’s only public building. Several activities took place there: political meetings, sales of crown lands, distributions of lots, church services, council sessions, public entertainment, and they also may have functioned as the post office. Music certainly would have been present and would have been another way of telling stories and lightening the spirits. Tavern keepers and innkeepers were among the province’s first successful entrepreneurs.

Here are a few of Niagara’s early innkeepers: 

Joshua Fairbanks: 

Hosted the masons of Lodge No. 2 in Queenston as early as 1795 and was involved in the Niagara-Chippawa stagecoach partnership at the time. 

Gilbert Field: 

Gilbert was the first to receive his license in December 1792. He built a brick house on the River Road which still stands today along the Niagara Parkway. Gilbert was reputed to have taken advantage of his inebriated soldier-patrons by obtaining land grants in exchange for their bar bills. Field died in 1814, apparently while his inn was being used as a barracks by the militia.  

Roger Bradt 

One of the earliest innkeepers in Niagara, Bradt received his license to operate in 1793. It was possibly located on Front Street.  

Secord Family 

David Secord, a former Butler’s Ranger, established an inn in the centre of the Town which now bears his name - St. Davids.  His brother, James, who married the famous Laura Ingersoll, also operated an inn at Queenston as early as 1799.  

Elizabeth Thompson  

Elizabeth owned two properties on Prideaux Street near Regent. She apparently operated a tavern on one of these properties, which may have been called the Black Swan.  

And so, for 2025, we wish you all good health and happiness, as we celebrate 130 years of the Niagara Historical Society and continue to honour our unique history.

Image: Elliot House (the Whale Inn)