Thorold in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Maplehurst 1886

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 14, 2025

1. Maplehurst 1886 Marker

Inscription. Built by Hugh Keefer overlooking the 2nd Welland Canal, this outstanding landmark was designed by C.W. Mulligan in dramatic Richardsonian-Romanesque style, and built of red Grimsby sandstone and gray limestone from Queenston. It replaced the family homestead built in the 1790s by George Keefer who is considered to be the founder of the Village of Thorold.

He was a prominent miner and 1st President of Wm. Hamilton Merritt's Welland Canal Co. George Keefer had a family of entrepreneurs: two of his sons became nationally-renowned engineers.

Erected 2013 by Heritage Thorold.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the The Welland Canals series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 43° 7.79′ N, 79° 12.116′ W. Marker is in Thorold, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It can be reached from Saint David Street West, on the right when traveling west. From the street, the marker is up the decrepit stone stairs, then adjacent to the walkway leading to the front door. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 14 St David Street W, Thorold ON L2V 2L1, 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 New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Maplehurst 1886 (a few steps from this marker); The Dobbie House c. 1873 (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Dobbie House 1875 (about 210 meters away); James Beatty House c. 1870 (about 210 meters away); Tribute To Holy Rosary School 1928 - 2001 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); First St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church 1859-1884 (approx. half a kilometer away); The Welland Mills / Le Moulin de Welland (approx. half a kilometer away); Dominion Government Building 1936 (approx. half a kilometer

Maplehurst 1886 - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 14, 2025

2. Maplehurst 1886 - Marker in context

Photo from the top of the decrepit stairs. Marker is just right of the walking path.

away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thorold.

Regarding Maplehurst 1886. Some recent history:
1974 - 1999 - a long-term care facility
2006 - 2019 - operated as an inn
as of 2025, unused and for sale

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 14, 2025

3. Maplehurst

Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 95 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.