Possibly the first daguerreotype produced in Canada, Niagara Falls by Hugh Lee Pattinson, 1840
Toronto. … to paraphrase a bit of “British history” (1066 and all that). We are fortunate that photography was invented years before 1867 when the Dominion of Canada was formed. The British North America Act(s) combined the British colonies of Canada East (Quebec), Canada West (Ontario), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into the Dominion of Canada in reaction to the American civil war. The act(s) set the stage for other colonies to join the Dominion, We celebrate July1st each year now as ‘Canada Day’.
The photo at left by Hugh Pattinson is believed to be the first photograph ever taken in ‘Canada’ – some 27 years before we became a country. At the time Niagara Falls was in the colony of Upper Canada, shortly to become Canada West and then the Province of Ontario.
Image collectors who know their history seek out such rare pre-confederation photos taken in the future Dominion. Have a great holiday everyone, and remember the significance of July 1st, 1867.
