Crystal Beach plaque warrants ‘further review,’ museum says
November 4, 2026 at 5:03 AM
A privately funded Crystal Beach plaque misrepresents the history of the former amusement park, Fort Erie’s museum manager said, but the town hasn’t budgeted for a replacement.
The plaque at Erie and Ridgeway roads tells passersby that park founder John E. Rebstock succeeded in “establishing a religious campground in 1888.”
Museums manager Clark Bernat said research conducted since the Crystal Beach Video Group installed the plaque indicates the park began as a summer resort in 1890. The plaque also contains typographical errors and statements that “warrant further review,” he said.
The plaque in question claims John E. Rebstock established a religious campground in 1888. Credit: Fort Erie’s Heritage Plaques | Museum and Cultural Services“The museums have not received direction to undertake a formal review or replacement, and no funding has been allocated for that purpose,” Bernat said in an email to Fort Erie Radio.
The Town of Fort Erie has no current approved timeline for a replacement plaque, and no one has been assigned to write one.
Bernat acknowledged that local historian Gary Pooler raised concerns about the plaque with museum staff earlier this year. Pooler also wrote to town council about the plaque in an October 23 email.
Bernat also noted that the Bay Beach entrance sign on Erie Road is located east of the community’s historic boundary.
“Research indicates that Bay Beach’s unofficial eastern boundary begins along the west side of Schooley Road,” Bernat said.
According to Bernat, Bay Beach never had official boundaries because it was never its own municipality. It was an unofficial community in Bertie Township, which merged into the Town of Fort Erie in 1970.
The museum tracks 86 outdoor information boards and plaques across Fort Erie, all listed on its website. It monitors only the signs it installed itself, which leaves plaques installed by private groups, such as the amusement park plaque, outside its review.
Even for the museum’s own signs, any update or replacement depends on budgets and approvals.
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Andrew Hawlitzky
Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"
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