Postcard of cavalry at Camp Niagara

History of the Commons

The Military Reserve, better known in the community as The Commons, has seen history unfold on the land for more than 200 years. With the start of the Great War in 1914, it became a training camp for over 14,000 soldiers of the 2nd Division of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Thousands of soldiers who fought and died at Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele and the many terrible battles of the Great War trained here.

In 1917, Butler's Barracks became Camp Kosciuszko, the winterized training camp for the Polish Army. Butler's Barracks, known as Camp Niagara in the 20th century, reached its greatest development during World War II when buildings, tents, parade grounds, streets and other necessary facilities covered much of the Commonss. Camp Niagara was active until the 1960s.

Soldiers who trained here served in the Boer War, World War I and World War II, in the Korean Conflict, and in peacekeeping efforts of the 20th century. When the soldiers were camped on these lands, polo was one of the leisure sports in which they participated on the parade square.

Polo Niagara will bring this time in Niagara's history back to life, as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War One, and the 75th anniversary of World War Two.


Top photo courtesy of the Niagara Historical Society & Museum.

© The Friends of Fort George