Downtown in St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Founding of St. Catharines

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 5, 2025

1. The Founding of St. Catharines - Marker

Inscription. Before this region was settled, several Indian trails intersected here at a ford in Twelve Mile Creek. They were improved by early settlers and a church was erected at the crossroads by 1798. A tavern soon followed and a settlement, known as St. Catharines or Shipman's Corners, developed. After the War of 1812 the community expanded largely through the efforts of William Hamilton Merritt. He was the chief promoter of the First Welland Canal, built in 1824-33, which made St. Catharines a centre for water transportation and provided abundant water power for industry. Factories and mills were established and St. Catharines became a leading flour-milling and shipbuilding centre. It was incorporated as a Town in 1845 and as a City in 1876.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture and Recreation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust, and the The Welland Canals series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1798.

Location. 43° 9.575′ N, 79° 14.833′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in

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Downtown. It is on Church Street south of James Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the front lawn of City Hall, 50 metres south-west of James St. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50 Church Street, St Catharines ON L2R 7C2, 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 Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: City Hall (here, next to this marker); War Memorial, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24 (a few steps from this marker); St. Catharines Honour Roll - Korea (a few steps from this marker); St. Catharines Honour Roll - Boer War (a few steps from this marker); St. Catharines Honour Roll - 1939 - 1945 (a few steps from this marker); St. Catharines Honour Roll - 1914 - 1918 (a few steps from this marker); St. Catharines Recipients Of The Victoria Cross (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Catharines Honour Roll - Northwest Resistance (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Catharines.

Another marker is no longer nearby. City Hall 1937 (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014

2. The Founding of St. Catharines Marker

City Hall at left

The Founding of St. Catharines - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 5, 2025

3. The Founding of St. Catharines - Marker in context

Photo faces south-east, from Church St. The marker is on the front lawn of City Hall. In this photo, the marker (very left) is edge-on, in front of the tall spruce tree. (It has a party wreath on it, maybe for Aug 4 Civic holiday.)

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014

4. The Founding of St. Catharines Marker

Northward view towards James Street

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 753 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on August 5, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1. submitted on August 5, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. 2. submitted on August 9, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 3. submitted on August 5, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. 4. submitted on August 9, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.