West Street

, Serving the marine trade since 1833 , West Street came into existence when the first Welland Canal was extended directly through to Lake Erie in 1833. Many buildings that you see on West Street today were originally built in the 19th Century to serve the marine trade. A marine blacksmith shop, grocery and general merchandise stores, and the post office were some of the buildings established here along the canal., Over the years West Street has remained an active business centre for the Port Colborne community as the first Welland Canal gradually expanded to the fourth Welland Ship Canal that you see today., Further north on West Street, at the base of the lift bridge, is the only place along the Welland Canal where you can still see evidence of all four channels of the Welland Canal together. The channel closest to West Street was the route taken by the first two Welland Canals. The wooden locks of the first were replaced by stone for the second Welland Canal. The indentations in the walls of the middle channel, which was the third Welland Canal, are the remains of its historic guard lock gates. The large channel passing under the lift bridge is the fourth canal or present Welland Ship Canal, where ships from around the world carry cargo to and from the heartland of North America.,