Pelham resident Graham Segger’s latest book, The Land at the Crest of the Hill: Clues to Niagara History from Upper Fonthill, was published by The Pelham Historical Society on September 30. In it Mr. Segger describes the history of the area at the top of the Canboro and Highway #20 hill known variously over the years as Riceville, Pelham Heights, Upper Fonthill and at least a dozen other lofty names.

The book begins with a chapter on the last ice age in which Mr. Segger explains why the popular phrase the “Fonthill Kame” may not stand up to scientific scrutiny. That is quickly followed by a chapter describing the archaeological evidence of extensive Indigenous activity on the heights dating back 5,000 years. The Pelham and Thorold Land Surveys and land grant processes are explained, including why Pelham has those wonky jogs where the east-west concession roads intersect with the north-south lot-line roads. Many of the early nineteenth century families and their religious affiliations and backgrounds are profiled including surnames such as Rice, Price, Willson, Crawford, Canby, Church, Ward, Frazer, Haist, D’Everardo and Buchner, among others. Some of the twentieth century contributions of families such as Railton, Mawhinney, Hansler, Stirtzinger, Davis, Derreck, Stevenson and Lathrop are mentioned. The origins of each of the more recent residential subdivision developments on either side of Canboro, Haist and Highway #20 are also explored. There are a myriad of vignettes about early Riceville, which pre-dated Fonthill, some well worn and others new, including the stories of the 1825 proposed Military Fortress, the 1840s Observatory Tower, religious debates, land disputes, succession planning and tales of 1830s vice at the Eber Rice Tavern.

Mary Lamb, author of Pelham: The Making of a Community, has said “thanks for this book, which provides so much new information for past and future students of local history.”  Brock U. Professor Dr. Anna Lathrop has described the book as “meticulously researched and accessibly written, this history is filled with surprising new discoveries about the land that I called (and still call) my home.”

An eBook colour version is available for digital download for $20 through www.pelhamhistoricalsociety.ca. Print copies of the book are available at a variety of local Fonthill retailers for $25 (Shoppers Drug Mart, Art & You, J&J Florists, Font Coffee Bar and Nature’s Corner Cafe).

All net proceeds are donated to two local charitable organizations.