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

The Welland Ship Canal

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 21, 2025

1. The Welland Ship Canal - Marker

While the text mentions the first, original 1829 Welland Canal; the map depicts the locks for the current, fourth canal.

Inscription. Now in its fourth configuration, the canal runs, in its entirety, 43.5 kilometers (27 miles) from Port Colborne, Ontario on Lake Erie to Port Weller (St. Catharines), Ontario on Lake Ontario. As part of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Canal Allows ships to avoid Niagara Falls by navigating the Niagara Escarpment.

The canal's first configuration, which opened for a trial run in November 1829 and contained at least 40 locks, was completed in 1929. It has eight locks to control water levels - seven at the Niagara Escarpment and the eighth, a control lock, here in Port Colborne.

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 1829.

Location. 42° 54.011′ N, 79° 14.795′ W. Marker is in Port Colborne, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is on Mellanby Avenue. The marker is within Lock 8 Gateway Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 163 Mellanby Avenue, Port Colborne ON L3K 3T9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s

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Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and 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: Memorial to John Hansen (within shouting distance of this marker); Knights of Columbus Gazebo (within shouting distance of this marker); Citizens of Port Colborne Who Gave Their Lives ... Welland Canals (within shouting distance of this marker); Port Colborne Tourist Information "Lighthouse" (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Humberstone Hall (about 120 meters away); Augustine House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Derek Point (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Old Meets New - A Walk Across History (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Colborne.

The Welland Ship Canal - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 21, 2025

2. The Welland Ship Canal - Marker in context

Photo faces south-west. Mellanby Avenue runs across the background of the photo. The marker is the west-facing panel. In the left background are the gazebo and the "anchor circle" within Lock 8 Gateway Park.

The panel on the south side - how a lock works image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 21, 2025

3. The panel on the south side - how a lock works

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 185 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 25, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.