The Great Highway

Source [In German]

From Richardson's War of 1812: with notes and a life of the author, by Richardson (John, Major):

The great highway of the trade with Detroit and other western settlements was the Niagara, and as this trade increased the laden vessels from the lakes were taken as far up the river as possible, to shorten the portage around the Falls.  This head of navigation was called at first the New Landing, and later Queenstown.  Thus favorable situated for trade, the new town prospered and soon became the home of several pioneer merchants, who never dreamed that the stream of commerce could possibly find any other course.