Downtown in 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

Southward view (English)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

A pioneer in the field of transportation, Merritt was born in Bedford, New York and settled at Twelve Mile Creek (St. Catharines) with his Loyalist family in 1796. He served with the provincial cavalry during the War of 1812, then operated mercantile and milling enterprises here. Primarily responsible for the construction of the first Welland Canal (1824-33). Merritt worked tirelessly to promote this ambitious venture, both by raising funds and by enlisting government support. During his long tenure in the Legislative Assembly (1832-60) he championed freer trade policies and various transportation projects. In particular he advocated building a comprehensive system of canals and railways linking inland waters with the ocean, a scheme which foreshadowed the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway over 100 years later.

Né à Bedford, dans l'État de New York, William Merritt, un pionnier dans le domaine des transports, s'installe en 1796 à Twelve Mile Creek (St. Catharines) avec sa famille loyaliste. Membre de la cavalerie provinciale durant la Guerre de 1812, il exploite ensuite un commerce et une meunerie. On

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lui doit la construction du premier canal Welland (1824-1833), enterprise à laquelle il travaille sans relâche pour réunir des fonds et obtenir l'appui du gouvernement. Pendant son long mendat à l'Assemblée législative (1832-1860), il prône un commerce plus libre et défend divers projets dans le domaine des transports. Il préconise notamment la construction d'un important réseau de canaux et de chemins de fer pour relier les eaux intérieures à l'océan, un projet qui présageait l'ouverture de la Voie maritime du Saint-Laurent cent ans plus tard.

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

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. 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 1793.

Location. 43° 9.25′ N, 79° 14.763′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of St. Paul Street West (Route 81) and McGuire Street, on the left when traveling south on St. Paul Street West. Marker is located in a small green space called Merritt Park. It is next to the Merritt statue.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014

2. William Hamilton Merritt 1793 - 1862 Marker

Northward view (French)

Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 St Paul Street West, St Catharines ON L2R 3N8, 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: This Statue of the Honorable William Hamilton Merritt (here, next to this marker); 1796 - 1935 (here, next to this marker); Anglican Church, St. Catharines (a few steps from this marker); The NS&T and Western Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Vimy Ridge / The History of Vimy Oak Trees (within shouting distance of this marker); Crossing Twelve Mile Creek - The Burgoyne Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); This Boulder Was Once The Half-way Mark Between Niagara-on-the-Lake And Queenston (within shouting distance of this marker); Lance Corporal Fred Fisher, V.C. 1894 - 1915 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Catharines.

Also see . . .
1. William Hamilton Merritt - Wikpedia. (Submitted on August 12, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
2. Welland Canal - Wikipedia. (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

Northward view, marker is left of the Merritt statue. McGuire Street crosses in front.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014

4. William Hamilton Merritt 1793 - 1862 Marker

Southward view; marker is by the tipping orange construction sign.

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 592 times since then and 30 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. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.