Lewiston, New York: Tuscarora Heroes Massacre Monument

After you see the Tuscarora Heroes monument, enjoy an ice cream at Hubbard Frozen Custard right across the street.

Remember when the U.S. invaded Canada? The town of Lewiston will never forget it. Lewiston was the debarkation point for American troops -- and although the October 1812 attack failed miserably, Canada still wanted revenge. It was taken on December 19, 1813, when a force of British, Canadians, and Mohawks butchered the civilians of Lewiston and burned the town. The only thing that prevented Lewiston's complete annihilation was a group of Tuscarora Indians, who stumbled across the massacre and set up a diversion that spooked away the attackers, allowing a few survivors to escape.

Lewiston remembers the carnage with an annual "Flames Through Lewiston" event, featuring firing soldiers, running civilians, and barrels of flaming propane. And on the 200th anniversary of the attack a life-size bronze statue was unveiled by sculptor Susan Geissler -- the Tuscarora Heroes Monument -- of a fleeing white woman and baby being helped by two Tuscarora Indians.