Many of South Niagara’s earliest pioneers settled on land watered by Lyons Creek, an important waterway meandering through three south Niagara Townships. This waterway rises in Humberstone Township east of the Welland Canal and south of the City of Welland then flows northwest through Crowland Township to Willoughby Township where it veers to the north and joins the Welland River (earlier called Chippawa Creek). The village of Cook’s Mills with its grist and sawmills on Lyons Creek was a focal point for the settlers. Pioneer families along Lyons Creek included Dell, Buchner, Misener, Lemon, Yocom, Cook, Doan, Current and many more.

Pictured below is a Canada Gazetteer map of the western part of Lyons Creek in Humberstone and Crowland Townships, a picture of the creek, and the War of 1812 cairn to the Battle of Cook’s Mills fought near its banks.