St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
William Hamilton Merritt 1793 - 1862
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014
1. William Hamilton Merritt 1793 - 1862 Marker
Born of a Loyalist family in the State of New York, Merritt became a pioneer merchant and industrialist on Upper Canada's Niagara frontier. In 1818 he began to promote construction of the Welland Canal, of which he became the first general manager (1824-41). Active in provincial politics from 1832 to 1862 as MLA, President of the Executive Council (1848-50) and Commissioner fo Public Works (1850-51), he devoted his considerable energies to the economic development of the province through advocacy of such measures as the improvement of the St. Lawrence navigation and limited reciprocal free trade with the United States.
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Erected 1974 by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Govenment of Canada.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board, and the The Welland Canals series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.
Location. 43° 9.355′ N, 79° 11.65′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It can be reached from Welland Canals Parkway north of Rockwood Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the grounds of the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre. Marker is within a fenced green space just to the north and rear of the museum building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1932 Welland Canals Parkway, St Catharines ON L2R 7K6, 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: Global Irish Famine Way (here, next to this marker); Welland Ship Canal (a few steps from this marker); How It Works: Locking Through (a few steps from this marker); The St. Lawrence Seaway (a few steps from
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014
2. William Hamilton Merritt 1793 - 1862 Marker
There is formally dressed figure with a cut out face next to the marker. The Welland Canal is beyond the fences.
Also see . . .
1. Welland Canal - Wikipedia. (Submitted on August 12, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
2. William Hamilton Merritt - Wikpedia. (Submitted on August 12, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
3. St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canal Centre. (Submitted on August 12, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014
3. William Hamilton Merritt 1793 - 1862 Marker
Eastward, back of marker, stairs for elevated canal viewing platform.
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014
4. Welland Canal Destination Distances (km)
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, June 26, 2024
5. William Hamilton Merritt 1793 - 1862 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 595 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on September 4, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 12, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 5. submitted on July 5, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
