McFarland House Plaque

MCFARLAND HOUSE 1800

This house was built in 1800 by James McFarland on
land purchased about 1795 by his father, John McFarland
(1757-1814), who was described as “His Majesty’s boat
builder”. One of the Niagara District’s finest residences,
it was used during the War of 1812 as a hospital by
both British and United States forces. A British battery
was emplaced behind the house to command the river.
In 1813 John McFarland was taken prisoner by the
Americans following their capture of Fort George. When
he returned in 1814, much of his property had been
destroyed and the house badly damaged.

Erected by the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board