Brock's Monument facts for kids
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| Coordinates | 43°09′36.37″N 079°03′10.99″W / 43.1601028°N 79.0530528°W |
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| Location | Queenston Heights, Queenston, Ontario |
| Designer | William Thomas |
| Material | limestone |
| Height | 56 m (184 ft) |
| Beginning date | 1853 |
| Completion date | 1856 |
| Opening date | 1859 |
| Dedicated to | Sir Isaac Brock |
Brock's Monument is a tall column in Queenston, Ontario, Canada. It stands 56 meters (185 feet) high on Queenston Heights. This monument honors Sir Isaac Brock, a brave hero from the War of 1812.
Sir Isaac Brock was a British Army officer. He was in charge of defending Upper Canada (now part of Ontario) from an invasion by the United States. Brock and his helper, John Macdonell, are buried at the base of the monument. They both died during the Battle of Queenston Heights.
The monument you see today was built between 1853 and 1856. It replaced an older monument that was damaged. Parks Canada now takes care of this important landmark. It is one of Canada's oldest war memorials.
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The Story of Brock's Monument
Sir Isaac Brock was shot and killed on October 13, 1812. He was leading his soldiers up Queenston Heights. They were trying to take back a fort captured by American forces. Another officer, John Macdonell, was also badly hurt and died.
Even though they lost their leaders, the British, Canadian, and First Nations soldiers won the battle. This victory was a big moment for Canada.
First Monument Built
After Brock's death, people wanted to honor him. He became a symbol of Canadian independence. His dramatic death helped unite people during and after the war.
Brock and Macdonell were first buried at Fort George, Ontario. Later, a campaign started to build a monument for Brock. The first monument was a 41.1-meter (135-foot) column. It had a platform at the top for visitors.
Construction began in 1823. The monument was officially opened on October 13, 1824.
Damage and Rebuilding
On April 17, 1840, the first monument was badly damaged by an explosion. It was so damaged that it could not be fixed. After this, Brock and Macdonell's remains were moved to a different burial ground.
People quickly started a new campaign to rebuild the monument. In 1852, William Thomas, an architect from Toronto, designed an even grander monument. A skilled stone carver named Charles Thomas Thomas oversaw the building.
Construction started in 1853. They used limestone from a nearby quarry. The new monument was finished three years later. Brock and Macdonell's remains were brought back to Queenston Heights. They were buried for the fourth time at the new monument.
The second monument was officially opened on October 13, 1859. A smaller stone marker was also placed near where Brock died. Prince Edward (who later became King Edward VII) dedicated this marker in 1860.
Recent History
In 1929, a lightning strike hit Brock's statue. Large pieces of the statue fell to the ground.
In 2003, experts checked the monument. They found that it needed major repairs inside and out. Parks Canada closed the monument to visitors in 2005.
A big restoration project began in 2008. It was finished in May 2009. The repairs included making the inside walls better to stop moisture. They also added emergency lights for safety.
What You Can See at the Monument
The main entrance to the monument has two large mulberry trees. People believe these trees were planted in the 1850s.
Inside the base of the monument, you will find brass plaques. These plaques tell the stories of Brock and Macdonell. They also list the people who donated money and built the monument. There is a tribute to the British, Canadian, and First Nations soldiers who died in the battle.
Brock and Macdonell are buried in special crypts within the monument's stone walls. There are also displays that teach you about Brock's life. You can learn about the battle and the monument's history. One display even shows a piece of Brock's arm from the statue that fell in 1929.
You can climb a spiral staircase inside the column. There are 235 steps leading up to a small platform. From here, you can see amazing views of the Niagara region and Lake Ontario.
At night, the monument is lit up. It marks the end of a walking trail that tells the story of the Battle of Queenston Heights.
There is also a small monument to Tecumseh nearby. It is made of twigs, twine, and feathers. This small memorial is cared for by local people, not by Parks Canada.
