Thorold, Ontario
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Thorold (2006 population 18,244) is a city located on the Niagara Escarpment and the seat of the Niagara Region in Ontario, Canada.
The earliest communities emerged at Beaverdams, DeCew Falls and St. Johns, but after the opening of the First Welland Canal in 1829 they were superseded by the new canal villages of Thorold, Allanburg, and Port Robinson. Thorold, located on the brow of the Niagara Escarpment, soon became dominant and was incorporated as a Village in 1850 and as a Town in 1870. When the Regional Municipality of Niagara was formed in 1970, the Town of Thorold expanded to include the Township, and in 1975 the Town became the City of Thorold. Today, outsiders regard Thorold as not much more than a growing southern suburb of the much larger City of St. Catharines, much to the dismay of local Thorold residents who strive to preserve their local identity.
The Welland Canal passes through the heart of the city, and the Twin Flight Locks located downtown attract thousands of tourists every year. It is also the location of the War of 1812 battlesite Beaverdams, where on June 25, 1813, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Boerstler and his American troops were defeated by a force of 80 British regulars and 250 Caugnhnawaga Mohawks.
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[edit] Historical sites
Decew House was constructed in the late 1700s. Captain John B. DeCou's home served as the area's British headquarters during the War of 1812. On June 22, 1813, Laura Secord journeyed from Queenston to DeCew House to warn Lieutenant James Fitzgibbon of an impending American attack. Fitzgibbon and his men were able to capture the American force and help turn the tide of the war.
The Old Fire Hall was constructed next to the second Welland Canal in 1878. This building once housed Thorold's police force and to this day contains a jail in the basement. For many years the fire bell tolled for the town's strictly enforced nine o'clock curfew. The Old Firehall was designed by the architect John Latshaw and built for $2,483. It has a combination bell tower and hose tower, yellow and red brickwork, semi-circular wood windows, and a circular wood window in the gable end at the tower. Decorative yellow brick arches frame each window. The bell which hung in its tower remained in use until 1964, when the fire department moved into its new hall nearby on Towpath Street. In 1967 the old bell was installed outside the new firehall.
Chestnut Hall is a lovingly restored 1862 building that was once home to John McDonagh, a lumber merchant and mayor of the Town of Thorold from 1881–1884. Chestnut Hall currently houses the Thorold & Beaverdams Historical Society, in addition to the Thorold Museum and part of the Thorold Public Library.
St. Johns School House is a single-room wooden schoolhouse located in the west portion of Thorold. Opening in 1804, it was the first free school in Upper Canada.
Maplehurst is a Thorold landmark and the former home of Jacob Keefer. The mansion sits on the highest rise in the city offering a commanding view of the community below. Built by Hugh Keefer in 1885, this beautiful red stone structure with its elaborate gables and dormers has been utilized in the past as a residence, a hospital, as well as a private nursing home. Maplehurst was recently completely restored to its original condition and is currently known as the Keefer Mansion, a 10 room inn with fabulous dining.
Welland Mills was constructed in 1846, on the bank of the second Welland Canal, Jacob Keefer built the largest watermill in Canada at that time. The Keefer's were entrepreneurs and considered Thorold's founding family. At its height, the mill was capable of manufacturing 300 barrels (89 t) of flour per day and storing 70,000 bushels (1,900 t) of wheat and 5,000 barrels (440 t) of flour. Today, the Welland Mills is being restored and will offer residential apartments on the upper floors and commercial space on the bottom.
Beaverdams Methodist Church and Burying Ground was constructed in 1832. Beaverdams Church is the oldest Methodist Church still standing in Ontario. The first minister to preach in the chapel was Reverend Egerton Ryerson, who is largely responsible for founding the province of Ontario's education system.
Soldiers' Monument is a war memorial monument that commemorates World War I I - 1914–1919, World War II - 19391945 and the Korean War. Thorold's War Memorial, located in Memorial Park, was unveiled on Sunday, October 30, 1921 and was erected by the citizens of Thorold to: "Honour the Memory of the Men of Thorold, who gave their lives for the cause of freedom in the great war, and in grateful remembrance of those who shared its dangers."
[edit] Trails
The Welland Canal Parkway Trail is a paved recreational path beginning in the City of St. Catharines at Lake Ontario and ending at Lake Erie in Port Colborne. Three sections of the trail are located within Thorold, which are:
Section Four: Glendale Avenue to Beaverdams Road, Thorold
Section Five: Beaverdams Road to Allanburg, Thorold
Section Six: Allanburg to Port Robinson, Thorold
The trail follows the Welland Canal, and is located beside the Thorold Lock 7 Viewing Complex.
[edit] Parks
Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park is a waterfront park located on Lake Gibson. The park offers a large track along the perimeter, and has a boardwalk suspended out onto the lake.
Short Hills Provincial Park is partially located in the City of Thorold, and is Ontario's first provincial park.
Some other of the numerous recreational parks in the city include:
Battle of Beaverdams Park - Historical displays, bandstand and playground equipment. It was also the location of the War of 1812 battlesite Beaverdams, where on June 25, 1813, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Boerstler and his American Infantry were defeated by a force of 80 British regulars and 250 Caugnhnawaga Mohawks.
McMillan Park - Baseball diamond, swimming pool and playground equipment.
Sullivan Park - Baseball diamond, Splash pad, and playground equipment.
Hutt Park - Baseball diamond and playground equipment.
Confederation Park - Baseball diamond, soccer field, basketball court, tennis courts, Splash pad, and playground equipment.
C.E. Grosse Park - Soccer field, wading pool and playground equipment.
Beaverdams Park - Baseball diamond, basketball court and playground equipment.
McAdam Park - Skatepark and playground equipment.
[edit] Welland Canal
The First Welland Canal: 1829-1844
In 1824, mill owner William Hamilton Merritt formed the Welland Canal Company, with George Keefer of Thorold as the first President. Construction began following a sod-turning ceremony at Allanburg on November 30, and in 1829, five years to the day later, the first vessels sailed from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. The original Canal followed the Twelve Mile Creek and Dick's Creek from Port Dalhousie, cut through the heart of Thorold and terminated at Port Robinson on the Welland River. Ships continued down the river to Chippawa, then followed the Niagara River to Lake Erie. In 1833 the Canal was extended south to Gravelly Bay (later Port Colborne).When complete the Canal was 44 kilometres (27 miles) long, and had 40 wooden locks. In 1827, in anticipation of the completion of the Canal, George Keefer had built a mill (since demolished) just back of the Escarpment edge, and it was his initiative that led to the creation of the original village of Thorold.
The Second Welland Canal: 1845-1886
Deterioration of the wooden locks and the increasing size of ships on the Great Lakes led to calls for a bigger and better canal. The government purchased the Welland Canal Company’s assets and proceeded with plans for a Second Welland Canal. Construction began in 1841 and was complete by 1845. There were 27 locks, made of cut stone. The Second Canal followed essentially the same route as the First, and it remained a feature of downtown Thorold until it was filled in during the 1960s.
The Third Welland Canal: 1887-1931
The Third Welland Canal followed the same line as the earlier canals in the southern part of the Peninsula, but north of Allanburg the route was quite different. It by-passed downtown Thorold to the east, following the valley of the Ten Mile Creek down the Escarpment and continuing in a broad arc to Port Dalhousie. It had 26 stone locks, extensive remains of which can still be seen east of 11 the present canal. One of these, Lock 24 in Thorold, was the target of an unsuccessful bombing attack by Irish-American Fenian sympathizers in 1900. While the first two canals were lined by mills of various kinds, the banks of the Third Canal were kept free of industry by deliberate government policy.
The Fourth Welland Canal: 1932-Present
Construction of the Fourth Canal (the Ship Canal) began in 1914, but because of delays due to World War I and other factors it was not opened until 1932. The number of locks, now built of concrete, was reduced to eight; no fewer than four of these, including the world-famous Flight Locks, are in Thorold. The Canal adopted a direct north-south route over the Escarpment, following the valley of the Ten Mile Creek all the way to a new Lake Ontario outlet at Port Weller. New industries associated with the Canal led to the creation of the community of Thorold South in the 1920s. In 1973 a by-pass was excavated around the City of Welland. This was to be the first phase of a Fifth Welland Canal, which would cross the Escarpment in one super-lock, but plans for further development have been shelved.
[edit] Art and culture
Thorold is home to several festivals and annual events. Included are:
Mountain Top Ceremony - Held at the Lock 7 Viewing Complex, this annual celebration marks the opening of the Welland Canal shipping season with the arrival of the first ship of the year through Lock 7. Usually held in late March.
Italia-in-Festa - Celebrating Italian food, drink, dance and entertainment. Thorold is rich in Italian history and is the ideal location for a celebration of our culture. Usually held June 24 to June 25.
Thorold Arts & Crafts Show - This popular event is now in its 28th year. Held during the month of July, the show draws more than 175 artisans from coast to coast. The Thorold Arts & Crafts Show is well attended, with 20,000 people being the usual number for the two day event.
Thorold Antique Car Show - Downtown Thorold is the location for this popular event, which is generally held at the end of July.
Howell Family Pumpkin Farm - A Halloween tradition. Enjoy wagon rides, a haunted barn, pumpkin pie and of course, the ‘Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off ’, where it is common to see pumpkins weighing in at over 1000 lb (450 kg).
The Canal Bank Shuffle - The downtown core comes alive with music and dance during this yearly festival. Some of North America's best Blues musicians can be enjoyed at this three day event which features over 20 acts at a dozen venues within walking disance. visit www.canalbankshuffle.com. Member of the Crossborder Blues group www.crossborderblues.com
Thorold Annual Santa Claus Parade - A favourite for kids young and old, the Santa Claus Parade is held in November of each year, and runs through the downtown core of the city.
November Arts & Crafts Show - Another well attended event, the November Arts & Crafts Show is located at Thorold Secondary School.
[edit] City of Thorold Pipe Band
The City of Thorold Pipe Band has been serving the Niagara Region and abroad for almost 20 years in community based activities, civic parades, military parades, and a variety of other events.
The Pipe Band is solely supported by fundraising activities for the forthcoming season. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 17-Thorold allows the Band to use their facilities for their weekly practices.
The Band's typical parade season is from May to November and the remaining months of the year, the Band works on new and exciting tunes and sets.
Official Name: The "City of Thorold Pipe Band"
Clan: MacGregor
Motto: 'S rioghal mo dhream (Gaelic: Royal is my race)
Tartan: Ancient MacGregor
Significance: Founder James (Jim) Greig
Founded: May 28, 1986 - Thorold, Ontario Canada
Band Logo: Two sets of pipes resting on a side drum
[edit] Fire departments
Thorold is home to four fire stations.
Station 1 - Located in downtown Thorold. Is home to Protection Hose Company No. 1. The Protection Hose Company No. 1 Precision Drill Team was established in 1903, and is the oldest active fire department precision drill team in North America. Throughout its history this team of volunteers has been the honour guard for the Governor General, the Duke of Connaught and Princess Patricia in 1914, their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in Niagara Falls in 1951, and several other well-known dignitaries too many to mention. Their shiny chrome helmets were purchased in 1929 to replace the original white leather helmets and the fancy dress uniforms were purchased in 1976. The type of marching that is done is called close-order drill, where they use only half and quarter steps while touching shoulders much like the early British Military used in warfare.
Station 2 - Located in Thorold South.
Station 3 - Located in Port Robinson.
Station 4 - Located on Highway 20.
[edit] Thorold Tunnel
The Thorold Tunnel is located in the city of Thorold, in the Niagara Region of Ontario. The underwater tunnel was built between 1965 and 1967, and allows Highway 58 to cross the Welland Canal without interrupting shipping.
Technical information:
Length - 840 metres (or 0.84 kilometre)
Height - 4.5 metres
Lanes - two westbound, two eastbound
Speed - 80 km/h
Roof thickness - 1.8 metres of reinforced concrete
Wall thickness - 1.5 to 1.8 metres of reinforced concrete, covered with epoxy paint
Lighting - 2,300 high pressure sodium lamps
Traffic volume - 24,300 vehicles pass through the tunnel daily
[edit] Kissing Rock at Lock 7
There is a legend in Thorold of a Kissing Rock located at the Lock 7 Viewing Complex. Back when the 4th canal opened, the canal was a bustle of activity. Many ships would have to wait at the mouth of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, sometimes for days, to get through the canal system.
Charles Snelgrove was among one of the sailors on the ships at that time. Charles was from England, orphaned at a very young age and sent to Canada for a better life. When old enough, he eventually ended up as a sailor on the Great Lakes.
Thorold was a hive of activity for sailors and they, at times, had quite a bit of time of their hands. Now, Charlie being quite a good looking, charming man, would meet many a young lady while in port. Before boarding the ship at Lock 7, Charlie would bring the ladies to the rock in Thorold to say good bye and kiss the girl.
It didn't take too long before many sailors learned of what Charlie was doing and would bring their girlfriends or wives to kiss goodbye on the rock, sometimes chipping a piece of the rock and putting it in their pocket for a safe journey. Sailors, being a superstitious group considered it bad luck to defy fate by leaving at Lock 7 without visiting the Kissing Rock.
[edit] Drive-in
A tornado swept through southern Ontario on 20 May 1996, and one of the things it damaged was the screen at the Can-View 4 drive-in complex just outside the city of Thorold. Coincidentally, that drive-in was scheduled to show Twister that evening. Luckily, the storm swept through a couple of hours before dark, so no one was yet in the facility when the screen came down. The drive-in located at Highway #20 & #406 is the only one of its kind in the Niagara Region, it is also the only movie theatre in Thorold. Show times can be found here: Can View Drive-In
[edit] Thorold Blackhawks
The Thorold Blackhawks are a hockey team in the Golden Horseshoe Junior B Hockey League. The Blackhawks were League Champions in 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2005. In 2005, the team went on to capture the Sutherland Cup as the best Jr. B team in Ontario. Notable former players include Nathan Horton, Dwayne Roloson, and Owen Nolan. The Blackhawks home rink is the Thorold Community Arena in downtown Thorold.
[edit] Communities
- Allanburg
- Beaverdams
- Confederation Heights
- Port Robinson
- St. Johns
- Thorold
- Thorold South
- Turner's Corners
[edit] External links
- City of Thorold Website
- Heritage Thorold LACAC
- Thorold & Beaverdams Historical Society Museum
- Thorold Tourism
- Thorold Chamer of Commerce
- Niagara Peninsula communities Web site
- Thorold Blackhawks
- Welland Canal
- Canal Bank Shuffle
- Thorold Kissing Rock
- City of Thorold Pipe Band
- The Keefer Mansion Inn
- Protection Hose Company No. 1
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St. Catharines, Niagara-on-the-Lake | |
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| Pelham |
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Niagara Falls | ||
| Welland |
Cities: Niagara Falls · Port Colborne · St. Catharines · Thorold · Welland
Towns: Fort Erie · Grimsby · Lincoln · Niagara-on-the-Lake · Pelham
Townships: Wainfleet · West Lincoln
| Welland Canal |
| History: First canal · Second canal · Third canal · Fourth canal · Welland By-Pass · Fifth canal (never built) |
| Communities: Port Dalhousie | Port Weller · St. Catharines Thorold · Allanburg · Port Robinson · Welland · Port Colborne |
| People: William Hamilton Merritt |
| part of the Saint Lawrence Seaway |
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|---|---|---|
| Largest City: | Toronto |  |
| Regions: | Durham Region • Halton Region • Peel Region • York Region • City of Hamilton • Niagara Region | |
| Cities: | Brampton • Burlington • Mississauga • Niagara Falls • Oshawa • Pickering • Port Colborne • St. Catharines • Thorold • Vaughan • Welland | |
| Towns and Major Communities: | Ajax • Aurora • Bolton • Bowmanville • Brock • Buttonville • Caledon • Clarington • Concord • East Gwillimbury • Fort Erie • Georgina • Grimsby • Lincoln • Halton Hills • Keswick • King • Kleinburg • Maple • Markham • Milton • Newmarket • Niagara-on-the-Lake • Oakville • Pelham • Pickering • Richmond Hill • Scugog • Sutton • Thornhill • Unionville • Uxbridge • Whitby • Whitchurch-Stouffville • Woodbridge | |
