OW 3-38 Laura Secord Building at 32 Church St



The entrance of the re-named Laura Secord Building. Photo: Ian Wood
 


An extended view of the Laura Secord Building from the North side of Church Street. Photo: Ian Wood
 


Newly-minted signage for the Federal Government's Laura Secord Building - October 2012. Photo: Ian Wood
 


 

The Laura Secord Building commemorates the Upper Canada Heroine's role in the pivotal Battle of Beaver Dams in June of 1813. As part of the Bicentennial celebrations of the War of 1812, the Federal Government decided to rename buildings after prominent figures from the war. According to Caroline McCormick, a direct descendant of Laura Secord, Laura spent about half of her journey in the St. Catharines area where her namesake building is located.


 
 

 
 

The original tenants of the Laura Secord Building were Canada Post. In 2005, the building was renovated to accommodate the Canada Revenue Agency, which currently operates the St. Catharines Tax Office at 32 Church Street.

The initiative to rename federal buildings in Ontario and Quebec after prominent Canadian figures in the War of 1812 was done to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of the War of 1812. Originally 32 Church Street was destined to be named the Sir Isaac Brock building but after some protest by the Parks Canada manager about possible confusion with Brock University, which has been expanding its campus to downtown St. Catharines, the building was chosen to be named after Laura Secord.

Further Information

Public Works and Government Services Canada. (2012). Laura Secord Building. http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/comm/vedette-features/de-bn/de-bn-01-eng.html

Government of Canada. (2012- October 29). Harper Government Commemorates Laura Secord and the War of 1812. http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=703759

Niagara This Week. (2012-November 6). Federal Building Renamed in Laura Secord's Honour. http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/3269082-fed-building-renamed-in-laura-secord-s-honour/

Metro News. (2013-January 20). Public Could Misake Laura Secord Building for Candy Store. http://metronews.ca/news/toronto/516672/public-could-mistake-laura-secord-building-for-candy-store-feds-feared/


This point of interest is one of many on the GuideTags app –
a free digital interpretive guide that features thematic tours, routes, and discovery sessions,
and automatically tells geolocated stories about the places that surround us.
Download the app today, and start exploring!
Contact us if you would like to create your own content.
Report an error or inappropriate content.