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| St Catharines History |
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 Heritage & History
A city with spirit or perhaps spirits? Take a walking tour of both of our heritage districts - Downtown
St. Catharines and the lakeside village of Port Dalhousie.
St. Catharines marks the end of the famous Underground Railroad, was the home of the visionary who first dreamt of the Welland Canal and is a community filled with more than 800 heritage designated buildings and homes, making it one of Ontario’s richest heritage communities. Visit the B.M.E. Church and celebrate the legacy of Harriet Tubman, famed Underground Railroad conductor who rescued over 200 slaves in her lifetime. Explore the heritage remains of the four Welland Canals in the Village of Merritton. Discover the beauty and history of Victoria Lawn Cemetery, resting place of our founding families. While exploring the heritage district of Port Dalhousie, you can visit the 100 year-old Lakeside Park Carousel, hand-carved by Charles I.D. Looff, and still only a nickel a ride. Drop in at the Mayholme Foundation, an historic home and Genealogical Family Research Centre. Regale in the rhododendrons, lilies and acres of gardens at Rodman Hall Arts Centre, a grand historic home from the nineteenth century. Come marvel at 177 years of engineering triumph at the Welland Canal Lock 3, by starting your historical journey at the St. Catharines Museum, located at Welland Canals Centre at Lock 3.
Downtown
The Downtown area was formerly a storehouse for goods situated at the crossing of an Iroquois trail over Twelve Mile Creek. Curving Indian trails formed the foundation of our Downtown city streets and this remains one of the only curving main streets in all of North America. The trail slowly evolved with the community into St. Paul Street, the backbone of Downtown St. Catharines. The construction of the first and second Welland Canals behind St. Paul Street quickly elevated the area into a prosperous hub for commerce and industry in the Niagara Region. Two hundred years of history has created a unique showplace of many heritage sites making the Downtown St. Catharines Historic Walking Tour a must. Featuring over 120 shops, boutiques and over 50 culinary establishments, as well as one of the oldest Farmer’s Markets in Ontario, Downtown, St. Catharines is one of Niagara’s most unique destinations.
There are two heritage districts located in Downtown St. Catharines. With stately Victorian homes dating to the 1840s, Yates Street is located next to Twelve Mile Creek Valley, which was the path of the first and second Welland Canals. Call 905-685-8424 or visit www.stcathdowntown.com
Heritage Walking Tours (self guided tour)
The St. Catharines Heritage Committee has produced a free booklet that highlights the historical and architectural significance of the grand homes in the Yates Street and Queen Street Heritage Districts in Downtown St. Catharines, as well as tours for the lakeside village of Port Dalhousie. Call 905-984-8882 ext. 244.
Heritage Corridor Walking & Driving Tour
The City of St. Catharines has a rich and significant past. It has evolved since its first settlers, leaving behind a historical trail of events, activities and memories. These stories are told through our Downtown Walking Tour, or take a driving tour through our scenic City. It is designed to provide a picture of our City and the accomplishments that we celebrate. Take some time to explore, learning our history while seeing some of our most valuable sites www.heritagecorridor.ca
Market Square
The market is located downtown in the heart of St. Catharines. It is one of the oldest farmer’s markets in Ontario, where local farmers have been selling their goods since the early 1800s. Open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday year-round from 5:30am to 4pm. This building is also the host site of special events throughout the year. Our Downtown Farmer’s Market offers the widest selection of freshly harvested produce and a superb range of locally produced products all in one convenient location in the heart of the city (Market Square, King and James Streets, Downtown St. Catharines). Call 905-688-5601 ext.1503 for more information.
Underground Railroad
St. Catharines was the final terminus on the Underground Railroad for hundreds
of slaves in the 1820s. The Underground Railroad and Niagara’s Freedom Trail was a network of people who hid and guided black slaves as they fled the U.S. and headed north to Canada to seek freedom. Follow the Freedom Seeker signs and connect with history as you retrace the route they followed.
It begins at ‘The Crossing’, which is located along the Niagara River by historic Fort Erie and ends at the B.M.E. (British Methodist Episcopal) Church/Salem Chapel. This national historic site, through its association with the famed “Underground Railroad” conductor Harriet Tubman, was an important place of abolitionist activity. She was called the ‘Black Moses’ and graced St. Catharines with her presence for ten years. Her abolitionist activities and formation of societies assisted former slaves in adjusting to their new life in freedom.
Prominent businessmen and abolitionists William Hamilton Merritt and Oliver Phelps, helped the new citizens purchase land to build the British Methodist Episcopal Church, Salem Chapel in 1855 and later the Zion Baptist Church. A provincial plaque honours the memory and gravesite of Rev. Anthony Burns, the last person tried under the Fugitive Slave Act in Massachusetts, a verdict that returned him to slavery and incited street riots. Boston abolitionists bought his freedom and financed his education before he settled in St. Catharines.
Visit the award winning ‘Follow the North Star’ exhibit at the St. Catharines Museum or call the Harriet Tubman Centre for Cultural Services 905-682-0993.
92 Geneva Street, St. Catharines. For appointments at the B.M.E. Church contact Ada Summers at 905-984-6769. Visit www.freedomtrail.ca for more information.
Runchey’s Coloured Corps: The First Black Military Unit in British North America
There exists a tradition of military service by Upper Canada’s black population, dating from 1784, and most notably personified by Richard Pierpont who fought with the Butlers Rangers. At the outbreak of the War of 1812, Pierpont offered to “raise a Corps of Men of Colour on the Niagara Frontier”. His petition was refused, but leadership of the willing corps was assigned to Captain Robert Runchey, who also owned and operated an inn along the old “Indian Trail”. The corps was mobilized at this inn, the ruins of which may still be seen, and are marked by a blue Ontario Heritage Foundation plaque.
The corps consisted of 27-30 men, and saw action at the Battle of Queenston Heights on October 13,1812. It saw repeated action during that war, and were in action again during the 1840’s riots on the Welland Canal. The site of the inn is located on Highway #8, near 17th Street. Visit www.lincoln.ca for information on the Jordan Museum.
Welland Canals
In 1824, William Hamilton Merritt, (great, great, great, grandfather of our Former Mayor, now Regional Councillor Tim Rigby) a prominent businessman and entrepreneur formed the Welland Canal Company. He devised a scheme to link Lake Erie and Lake Ontario for the purposes of trade. This would circumvent Niagara Falls and provide a more reliable water supply for the saw and gristmills along the Twelve Mile Creek. The Welland Canal officially opened in 1829 and soon generated a shipbuilding industry to bolster the local economy. This canal was the first of four canals to be built between 1829 and 1932. The Welland Canal celebrates 177 years in 2006. Remains of these massive stone structures can still be explored throughout St. Catharines.
Visit the St. Catharines Museum located at the Welland Canals Centre at Lock 3, 1932 Welland Canals Parkway for more insight into the heritage canals. Call
905-984-8880, 1-800-305-5134 or log onto www.stcatharineslock3museum.ca
Salt Spring Spas
St. Catharines became a health spa Mecca when salt springs were discovered along the Twelve Mile Creek in the early 1800s. The mineral waters became continentally recognized for their medicinal properties and spas played host to celebrities and dignitaries including Sir John A. MacDonald and Mary Lincoln, widow of Abraham Lincoln. These springs are unfortunately no longer in exsistence.
Old Port Dalhousie Harbour
Come explore the Port where most of St. Catharines‚ maritime heritage begins. Home of the first three canals, Port Dalhousie was a Mecca for sailors and tourists at the turn of the century and still is today. Originally this village was a
plot of land granted to Captain Peter Ten Broeck for his services rendered to England during the American Revolution. It was later renamed for the Governor General of Canada: The Earl of Dalhousie. In the early 1900’s Port Dalhousie entered her heydays thanks to the connection of the electric trolley that ran from St. Catharines (now Downtown St. Catharines) and the steamers from Toronto. During the summer months, Lakeside Park was jammed with cottagers, sunbathers and picnickers. Moonlight cruises on the steamers, seaplane rides for the daring and park amenities including concessions, rides and the Looff Lakeside Park Carousel all contributed to the popularity of the village. Port Dalhousie’s Heritage District features 18th Century lighthouses, 19th Century homes and the vintage carousel located on the beach. Log onto www.portdalhousie.com
Architectural Treasures
Downtown St. Catharines
Downtown was home to merchants, industrialists, politicians and other community leaders. The Queen Street Heritage District that includes Montebello Park and borders the Yates Street District features historic commercial buildings, churches and homes that reflect Gothic, Georgian and Italian architectural styles.
Montebello Park
Montebello Park, also located downtown is a unique and historically significant 6.5-acre park. Designed by the same architect that created New York’s Central Park, the focal point of the park is a bandshell and pavilion built in 1888.
It is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act as having architectural
and historical significance.
Morningstar Mill and Mountain Mills Museum
Perched atop the Niagara Escarpment, historic Morningstar Mill is one of Niagara’s hidden treasures. This picturesque park provides a glimpse into the innovative and pioneering spirit of 19th Century St. Catharines. This is one of Ontario’s oldest mills on an original site, and fully powered by water. The rural setting also makes this a great place to explore nature or enjoy a picnic with your family. Ground open year round for your pleasure. Adjacent to Decew Falls, by Lake Gibson on Decew Rd, St. Catharines. Call 905-937-7210 (Mon. to Fri. 8:30am to 4:30pm) Visit www.morningstarmill.ca for more information.
Victoria Lawn Cemetery
Victoria Lawn Cemetery celebrating its 150th Anniversary and Anthony Burns Grave Site established in 1856, is a significant St. Catharines historical site. This is the resting-place of great historical figures including William Hamilton Merritt. Beautifully maintained grounds, unique architectural and landscape features make this a peaceful stop on your heritage tour of St. Catharines. Located on Queenston St., (west of the Welland Canal). Look for tours, events surrounding the cemetery’s anniversary in 2006.
Rodman Hall Arts Centre
Rodman Hall Arts Centre was built in 1853 and constructed of limestone from the Queenston quarries. This stunning Victorian Mansion contains many original features such as imported stained glass windows on the main staircase, intricate relief plaster ornaments on the ceilings, Italian Marble fireplaces and more. Niagara Region’s premier facility for the visual arts, the centre features local, regional, national and international artists. The permanent collection comprises approximately 900 contemporary and historical works of art. Other highlights include the Art Reference Library and the Gallery Shops. It is surrounded by
10 acres of gardens and trees with Twelve Mile creek flowing below. Admission FREE. Open Tues. to Sun. 12 noon to 5pm, Wed. 12 noon to 8pm
Call 905-684-2925 for more information or log onto www.brocku.ca/rodmanhall
Ridley College
Since 1889 Ridley has earned an international reputation for preparing young men and women for university studies and responsible, fulfilling lives. 600 students from across Canada and over 30 countries worldwide are enrolled in grades 5 through 12 and PG. The school’s 100-acre campus offers superior facilities; a wireless fibre-optic network links hundreds of Macintosh laptop computers. Dozens of competitive and recreational sports and activities are offered. Almost
all Ridley graduates proceed directly to Canadian, American, and international universities. Financial assistance to 30% of the student body exceeds $1.7 million. 2 Ridley Road, St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7C3 905-684-1889 Email:
admission@ridley.on.ca or visit www.ridley.on.ca
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