The Tuscarora Heroes: Native American Bravery That Saved Lewiston—Part of Niagara History

The Tuscarora Heroes: Native American Bravery That Saved Lewiston

History isn’t just found in textbooks—it’s found in the streets of Lewiston, New York. And on one cold morning in 1813, a small Native American nation changed the course of this town’s future forever.

The Attack on Lewiston

On December 19, 1813, during the War of 1812, British forces and their Mohawk allies launched a surprise attack on the village of Lewiston. It was retaliation for the burning of the Canadian town of Newark. The raid was swift and brutal—homes were torched, civilians killed, and families fled barefoot in the snow. Chaos ruled the streets.

Enter the Tuscarora

Just three miles away, the Tuscarora Nation—a member of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy—heard the cries of terror. Though not officially involved in the war, a handful of Tuscarora warriors rushed to Lewiston.

They were outnumbered and lightly armed. But through tactics and sheer audacity, they made themselves seem like a much larger force. Their shouts and shots disoriented the invaders. Believing they faced a full-scale counterattack, the British and Mohawk forces retreated.

The Tuscarora saved countless lives that day.

Why You’ve Never Heard This Story

Despite their heroism, the Tuscarora went unrecognized for nearly two centuries. That changed in 2013 with the unveiling of the Tuscarora Heroes Monument—the only monument in the United States honoring Native Americans for rescuing white settlers.

Located in downtown Lewiston, the monument features three bronze warriors in motion, symbolizing their courage and action. It stands not just as a tribute—but as a long-overdue reminder of the Indigenous people who helped shape our history.

See It for Yourself

You can visit the Tuscarora Heroes Monument as part of our historic street tour in Lewiston through Go Niagara Tours. Walk the same streets. Hear the full story. Stand where history happened.

Learn more and book your tour today at GoNiagaraTours.com.