Why was Niagara-on-the-Lake once called Newark?
Niagara-on-the-Lake has changed names numerous times. The following have been used to identify the area now known as Niagara-on-the-Lake: Ounagara, Ongiara (both Native origins), Butlersburg, Nassau, Lennox, West Niagara, Niagara, Newark, Niagara and finally Niagara-on-the-Lake. The term Newark started in the 1790s when the capital of Upper Canada was in the town. The most common local reference was Niagara; however, for a British colonial capital this was seen as too native a term. Officially Newark was taken, but locals continued to use Niagara on a regular basis. It wasn’t until the late 1890s that Niagara-on-the-Lake was added to avoid confusion with the popular Niagara Falls, 20 kilometers upstream.
