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

Early Hotels, Spas and Mineral Springs

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 8, 2025

1. Early Hotels, Spas and Mineral Springs - Marker

Inscription. Now a four-season destination, visitors have multiple choices for accommodations while enjoying award-winning craft beverages and farm-to-table culinary delights along Niagara's Wine Route, winding straight through the heart of downtown and the waterfront neighbourhood of Port Dalhousie.

From the 1860's to the 1890's, St. Catharines was renowned in Canada and the United States for the quality of its mineral salt-springs that were said to have healing properties. Several local hotels catered to a clientele looking to enjoy the curative powers of the local salt springs - The Welland House Hotel, the Stephenson House Hotel and Springbank Hotel provided amenities of both medicinal, including a resident doctor and nursing staff, and recreational value to their patrons. Each offered well-appointed rooms, restaurants, recreational activities, leisure areas, and coach service to and from the train station. Summer tourists to the community would return year after year to enjoy the amenities that St. Catherines had to offer, including plenty of shopping, a public library, parks, and community social events.

Today

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there are many internationally branded accommodation providers in St. Catharines offering amenities such as dining, wellness and family activities. All are conveniently located, making it easy to see and do all Niagara has to offer.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 43° 9.288′ N, 79° 15.028′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Yates Street and Salina Street, on the right when traveling east on Yates Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 39 Yates Street, St Catharines ON L2R 5R3, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the 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.

Early Hotels, Spas and Mineral Springs - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 8, 2025

2. Early Hotels, Spas and Mineral Springs - Marker in context

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Thomas' Anglican Church (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); William Greenwood, Carriagemaker circa 1875 (about 240 meters away); Tree to Commemorate International Literacy Year (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Louis Shickluna 1808-1880 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Montebello Park 1887-1987 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); St. Catharines Cenotaph (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Niagara District United Empire Loyalists Memorial (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); This Boulder Was Once The Half-way Mark Between Niagara-on-the-Lake And Queenston (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Catharines.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.