Port Colborne in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Memorial to John Hansen
Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 21, 2025
1. Memorial to John Hansen
to
John Hansen
Cons't. Sup't. for A. G. Creelman Co.
1925-30
Complete Lock # 8
Weir, Jack-Knife & Wier Bridges
& Highway
Gift to
The City of Port Colborne
by daughters
Edna, Aldith, Edith and Irma
Aug. 1984
Erected 1984.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the The Welland Canals series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 42° 53.997′ N, 79° 14.804′ W. Marker is in Port Colborne, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is on Mellanby Avenue (Route 3A) near Amelia Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is mounted on the south edge of an anchor, within a circular pedestal and circular garden on a walkway 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 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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Knights of Columbus Gazebo (a few steps from this marker); The Welland Ship Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Citizens of Port Colborne Who Gave Their Lives ... Welland Canals (within shouting distance of this marker); Humberstone Hall (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Port Colborne Tourist Information "Lighthouse" (about 150 meters away);
this page online
Regarding Memorial to John Hansen. John Hanson was the construction superintendent at this site for the contractor that built these things, as part of completing the fourth (current) Welland Canal during 1925-1930:
- the Welland canal's Lock 8
- weir: the weir (located on the "weir channel", on the west side of this island) which controls the flow of water from Lake Erie into the Welland canal
- weir bridges: bridges over the "weir channel"
- jack-knife bridge: the Main Street bascule bridge
- highway: the road, Main Street West, across the island
Notes:
- "jack-knife bridge" is an old-time nickname for any bascule bridge, and became the nick-name for the Main Street bridge
- The Mellanby bridge (also a bascule bridge) was built in the 1980s.
- Lock 8 was subsequently lengthened in the early 1970s, as part of the Welland by-pass project.
Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 21, 2025
2. Memorial to John Hansen Anchor
Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 21, 2025
3. Memorial to John Hansen
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 25, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
