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A Niagara Landmark - The Crowne Plaza Hotel Part 1

For over 80 years, hundreds of thousands of people have made this historic hotel their home while visiting the world renowned Niagara Falls. Millions of dollars have been spent to preserve and enhance the original elegance of this landmark building, securing its reputation as the grand lady of Niagara hotels.

I would like to give you some background information about the hotel and the surrounding area. You are invited to read on and find out what makes this niagara falls hotel stand out against the Niagara Falls River next to the Rainbow bridge in Niagara Falls, Ontario CANADA. This hotel was named in honour of one of Canada - great heroes, Major General Sir Isaac Brock.

It was originally named the General Brock Hotel, and the hotel first opened for business July 1, 1929. It was then acquired by the Sheraton Hotel chain, the General Brock Hotel added two additional floors and was renamed the Sheraton Brock Hotel. In 1989, the Sheraton Brock Hotel was again renamed the Skyline Brock and then again in 2001 to the Brock Plaza Hotel. The prestige of this hotel was again enhanced on April 17, 2008, when the Brock Plaza became the Crowne Plaza Fallsview Hotel. Major General Sir Isaac Brock was originally from Guernsey in the Channel Islands. Brock was the military commander of the British and Canadian forces during the beginning of the First World War.

A significant part of the battle between the United States and England took place along the Niagara Frontier as American troops attempted to conquer what was then the British colony of Upper Canada. In the early morning hours of October 13, 1812, a large American force crossed the Niagara River at Queenston Heights, a point approximately seven miles below the Falls. Their objective was to capture this high, prominent piece of land on the Canadian side of the river. General Brock was killed leading a charge against an American position part way up the side of the heights.

The British and Canadians, along with considerable help from many Native Americans, eventually won this battle but the loss of Brock, a greatly admired man, had been a high price to pay. His courage and heroic death became an inspiration to Canadians for the duration of the war. The Queenston Heights - battle site is now a large park dominated by a very large commemorative monument of General Major Sir Isaac Brock seen for miles around. This 190 feet high Brock Monument was completed in 1856, and features a statue of Brock at the top which people can walk up and climb the stairs inside.

It is here where the hero has been laid to rest a the foot of the Brock Monument in a vault within. The Queenston park also features recreational facilities, a restaurant, a bandshell and spectacular views from the edge of the heights looking north towards Lake Ontario. Queenston Heights is well worth a visit during your stay in Niagara.