Victoria Lawn Cemetery
1855
St. Catharines Heritage Corridor
The first person to be buried on this land was a sailor known simply as Brooks. that year, 1855, when the land was still known only as Potter's Fields, seven others were also buried, beginning the establishment of St. Catharines' largest and most historically significant cemetery.Officially opened in 1856 as St. Catharines Cemetery, it was unusual in that it was an all-denominational burial ground, virtually unheard of in the 1800s. While plots in different sections were assigned to various religious denominations, all residents, regardless of denomination, were to be buried in the cemetery.
Opening just four years before the outbreak of the American Civil War there was also a large number of Blacks buried in here: in fact, nearly one-third of all burials were recorded as "coloured." Many of these people were buried in the area originally known as Potter's Field.
This site holds some of the most important and influential figures of St. Catharines' history. These graves include Rev. Anthony Burns, Hon. William Hamilton Merritt, and Dr. Theophilus Mack. As well, a number of Canadian was veterans are buried in this cemetery.
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Erected by Ontario, City of St. Catharines.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.
Location. 43° 9.687′ N, 79° 12.177′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. Marker is on Queenston Street (County Route 81) 1.6 kilometers south of Emmett Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 480 Queenston Street, St Catharines ON L2R 7K6, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rev. Anthony Burns (a few steps from this marker); In Honoured Memory of the Men of the Township of Grantham (within shouting distance of this marker); Cannon Barrel (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Bollard (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); The Fourth Welland Canal (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); William Hamilton Merritt 1793 - 1862 (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); The Welland Canals and the St. Lawrence Seaway System (approx. one kilometer away); Welland Ship Canal (approx. one kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Catharines.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 428 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on August 16, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 9, 10. submitted on August 17, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
