CIRCA Prior to 1814
Located in historic Queenston – home to many significant historical sites from the War of 1812 – South Landing is the only inn left where 13 once stood. Nestled in Queenston on the southern edge of the town, South Landing was built in the early 1800s and boasts a 200-year history.
Originally built as a family home by Thomas Dickson, a cousin of Alexander Hamilton. Over time it has served as a hotel, boarding house, a craft centre, a school for women, and rumours of a “speakeasy” in the basement during prohibition times.
South Landing was one of the earliest resting places for travellers in the village of Queenston. Over its lifetime the inn’s names have included Prospect House, Frontier House and River Landing. The name South Landing was implemented in the late 1940s. There was a West Landing and an East Landing on the U.S. side of the Niagara River.
The Edward Walsh painting of Queenston Upper Canada (ca. 1803, 1807) refers to evidence of a large house with a two-storey veranda facing the river. He believes that the house’s location, and veranda, point to it being South Landing.
Sources:
https://niagaranow.com/featured.phtml/3458-history-unveiled-south-landing-inn-still-operates-today/