Port Robinson in Thorold in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
2nd Welland Canal River Lock At Port Robinson
Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 3, 2021
1. 2nd Welland Canal River Lock At Port Robinson Marker
City of Thorold
2nd Welland Canal
River Lock At Port Robinson
c. 1850
Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act
Erected by City Of Thorold.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the The Welland Canals series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 43° 2.403′ N, 79° 12.554′ W. Marker is in Thorold, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Port Robinson. It is on River Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is 5 metres east of the River Street's east sidewalk, at the front of a small garden area, just left of the actual river lock. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 River Street, Thorold ON L0S 1K0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe and in Niagara Canada. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named 2nd Welland Canal River Lock At Port Robinson (within shouting distance of this marker); Founding Of Port Robinson (within shouting distance of this marker); Beckett's Reserve-McFarland House c. 1840 / Stephen Beatty House 1879 (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Allanburg Firehouse First World War Memorial (about 150 meters away); The Pew House c. 1871 (about 210 meters away); The Pew House (about 210 meters away); Camp House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Robert Ross House (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thorold.
Regarding 2nd Welland Canal River Lock At Port Robinson. The two river locks were used at the time of the 1st and 2nd Welland Canals. The various versions of Welland Canals permitted (and continue to permit) 2-way ship traffic between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. At Port Robinson, they all followed/follow roughly the same north-south path. The two river locks at this
Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 13, 2025
2. 2nd Welland Canal River Lock At Port Robinson - Marker in context
Photo faces south-west from River Street. The relic 2nd river lock is right of the white sign (distant right). This marker is in the little garden area (just past the bicycle) near the middle Canada flag.
The 1st river lock, built of wood, was in use during 1829 - c. 1850. The larger 2nd river lock was built of stone, soon after the 2nd Welland Canal; and operated to c. 1880.
Today, the paths of both river locks are a grassy park. The 1st river lock is still buried, and certainly nothing remains of its wooden structure. The 2nd river lock has been partially excavated.
Some dates:
1829 - 1845 - 1st Welland Canal operated, using the 1st river lock.
1829 - 1833 - Initially, this river lock was the southern terminus of the Welland Canal. In fact, this is how the Welland Canal got its name - it was the canal from Lake Ontario to the Welland River. And, this is how this landlocked village got its name, Port Robinson.
1833 - the 1st Welland Canal was extended south to Lake Erie.
1845 - 1880s - 2nd Welland Canal operated.
c. 1850 - the 2nd river lock replaced the 1st river lock.
c. 1880 - the 3rd Welland Canal's water level was lower than the 2nd Canals; and when the
Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 3, 2021
3. 2nd Welland Canal River Lock
This marker - brown plaque on a post - is very close but out-of-frame to the left, in front of a small garden.
Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 3, 2021
4. 2nd Welland Canal River Lock - recesses for lock gate doors
On the far lock-wall, the hinge for the lock gate door was on the left. In the foreground is the steel support (recessed into the stone) for the hinge. The matching vertical slots just left (downstream) of the lock gate doors may have been for "stop logs", to block the flow so that water could be pumped out of the lock chamber (useful in certain maintenance emergencies).
Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 3, 2021
5. Location of 1st River Lock, viewed from River St
The white sign and adjacent small rock show the location of the 2nd river lock. The 1st river lock lay here, left of the 2nd river lock; not quite parallel, but angled southward of the 2nd river lock. So when the 2nd river lock was constructed, it utilized the existing downstream infrastructure.
Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 13, 2025
6. Photo posted in the little garden near the marker
Photo depicts a canal contruction site, with a derrick crane (top left, with the long angled pole called a "jib") and horse-teams and/or mule teams.
Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 13, 2025
7. Photo posted in the little garden near the marker
Photo depicts children swimming in the canal near ships and a lock entrance.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 11, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. 2. submitted on July 13, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 11, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. 6, 7. submitted on July 13, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
