Downtown in St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
This Statue of the Honorable William Hamilton Merritt
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014
1. This Statue of the Honourable William Hamilton Merritt Marker
On the back of the statue platform.
has been erected by his grandson William Hamilton Merritt of the City of Toronto, son of William Hamilton Merritt Jr. of St. Catharines as a tribute to the father of Canadian transportation who through initiatory steps in first waterways and railways earned that title.
He projected and carried to a successful completion the bridging of the cataract of Niagara by the Welland Canal 1824-29 the first railway suspension bridge in the world spanning the gorge of the same river 1846-55 and the Welland Railway 1855-58.
He was the proposer and first chairman of the St. Lawrence Canals Commission 1832.
Advocated the Sault Ste Marie Canal principal promoter of the first railroad charter in Canada. The Niagara and Detroit Rivers Railway Company 1836-46 assisted the Great Western Railroad 1846.
Advocated daily fast transatlantic steamships and gave impetus to many important improvements as President of the Council 1848 and Commissioner of Public Works 1850 in the Government of Canada.
He was twice elected member of Parliament for Haldimond in 1832 and 1841 and seven times for Lincoln 1841-60. He was elected
this page online
Born July 3rd. 1793 died July 5th. 1862. Son of Major Thomas Merritt U.E.L. of St. Catharines and grandson of Thomas Merrtt U.E.L. of St. John N.B. who loyal to King and flag left Westchester County Long Island Sound N.Y. and the revolting states and landed in Canada 1782.
Erected 1928 by son and grandson of William Hamilton Merritt.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812 • War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the The Welland Canals series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.
Location. 43° 9.248′ N, 79° 14.762′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of St. Paul Street West (County Route 81) and McGuire Street, on the right when traveling north on St. Paul Street West. Statue is on a small green space
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014
2. This Statue of the Honourable William Hamilton Merritt Marker
Back of statue
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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: William Hamilton Merritt 1793 - 1862 (here, next to this marker); 1796 - 1935 (a few steps from this marker); Anglican Church, St. Catharines (a few steps from this marker); The NS&T and Western Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Crossing Twelve Mile Creek - The Burgoyne Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Lance Corporal Fred Fisher, V.C. 1894 - 1915 (within shouting distance of this marker); This Boulder Was Once The Half-way Mark Between Niagara-on-the-Lake And Queenston (within
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014
3. This Statue of the Honourable William Hamilton Merritt Marker
McGuire Street crossing in front of statue.
Also see . . . William Hamilton Merritt - Wikpedia. (Submitted on August 12, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014
4. This Statue of the Honourable William Hamilton Merritt Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 720 times since then and 16 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.
