There was a famous battle at Niagara Falls in the war of 1812. 
 Isaac Brock was the British commander who died defending Canada
 from American Invasion.  (Actually the American soldiers all 
refused to  obey orders to invade but Brock did not know they
 would do that.)  That might be an interesting feature if you
 could find any ancestors that fought in that battle. 
 
 PERRY?S STATUE.

The ceremonies before the statue were opened by prayer from the lips of the Reverend Dr. Perry, of Natchez, Mississippi. Then Mr. Walcutt, the sculptor, unveiled the statue. There it stood, upon a green mound, surrounded by an iron railing, imposing, beautiful, and remarkable because of its extreme whiteness. 68 Tens of thousands of voices sent up loud cheers as that chaste work of art was clearly revealed, for, just as the covering was removed, rays of sunlight, that had struggled through the clouds, fell full upon it. Mr. Walcutt made a brief address, which was responded to by Mayor Senter. Then followed Mr. Bancroft?s oration, 69 and an historical discourse by Dr. Parsons. 70 Oliver Hazard Perry, the only surviving son of the commodore, addressed the people briefly, when the masonic ceremonies of dedication were performed. The proceedings closed with a song, written by E. G. Knowlton, of Cleveland, and sung by Ossian E. Dodge.

At the close of the public proceedings the members of the Masonic Order who were present dined together at the Weddell House, H. L. Hosmer, Deputy Grand Master of Ohio, presided. The banqueters were enlivened by toasts and speeches, and the festivities closed with a song written for the occasion by William Ross Wallace, and sung by Ossian E. Dodge ? a song of three stanzas, of which the following stirring one is the conclusion:

"Roll, roll, ye waves! eternal roll!
For ye are holy from his might:
Oh, Banner, that his valor wreathed,
Forever keep thy victor-light!
And if upon this sacred lake
Should ever come invading powers,
Like him may we exulting cry,
WE?VE MET THE FOE, AND THEY ARE OURS!"