General Scott Tower at Lundy's Lane

Handbill advertising General Scott Tower at Lundy's Lane

Several observatories were built in the area of Lundy's Lane from about 1845 to 1900.  One of these was Scott's Tower, built by Adam Fralick around 1850.  The tower would offer the tourist an impressive view of the surrounding scenery with the aid of a powerful telescope.  From this vantage point, it was possible to view Brock's Monument, Queenston Heights, the Allegany Mountains, Burlington Heights, Chippewa, and the Niagara river, rapids, and islands above the Falls.  An advertisement for Scott's Tower also notes that "...an Old Veteran who received wounds during the midnight struggle at Lundy's Lane, under the command of Gen. W. Scott, will entertain visitors with a true and correct history of the war of 1812-13-14".

The battle of Lundy's Lane was the most violent battle of the War of 1812, with heavy casualties on both sides.  On July 25, 1814, American General Scott led a brigade of about 1000 men from Chippawa along the Portage Road towards Lundy's Lane.  The British had already established their guns on the high ground at Lundy's Lane in anticipation of a possible advance by the Americans.  When the British saw Scott's forces in the evening, they opened fire.  The British General Phineas Riall was captured.  The American Generals Brown and  Scott were severely wounded and were forced to withdraw.   Around midnight, the Americans left, heading towards Chippawa.   They withdrew to Fort Erie with British General Drummond following and beginning a siege of the fort in August.