Port Colborne
Port Colborne | |
---|---|
City of Port Colborne | |
905, 289, 365, and 742 | |
GNBC Code | FCHYP[6] |
Website | portcolborne |
Port Colborne is a city in
History
In pre-
Originally called Gravelly Bay, after the shallow, bedrock-floored bay upon which it sits, today's City of Port Colborne traces its roots back to the United Empire Loyalist settlements that grew up in the area following the American Revolution. Growth became focused around the southern terminus of the Welland Canal after it reached Lake Erie in 1833. The town was the location of the Port Colborne explosion, a grain elevator explosion in 1919 that killed 10 and injured 16.
As the population rose,
In the year 1888, American tourists from the Southern states began building vacation homes on the lakeshore of the Western edge of the town. By 1890, an entire gated community of vacationers from the US South called Port Colborne their home during the summer months, naming the community The Humberstone Club. Over 30 grand summer homes, along with a variety of clubhouses and service buildings, were built along the lake in the following years, many of which still stand today on historic Tennessee Avenue. The southern architecture and style of these buildings would influence the design and construction of other historic buildings in the area. During the American Civil War, Varina Davis, wife of Confederacy President Jefferson Davis, spent three years in the relative comfort and safety of the community.[11][12]
Port Colborne was one of the hardest hit communities during the Blizzard of 1977. Thousands of people were stranded when the city was paralyzed during the storm, and the incident remains one of significance to the local population.[13]
Environmental concerns
Emissions from
Some residents launched a Class-Action Lawsuit against Inco in 2001[16][17] seeking $750 million in damages to health, property value, and quality-of-life. Although this suit failed to be certified in 2002,[18][19] it was subsequently modified to limit the class, and focus solely on devaluation of property[20] and was certified on appeal on November 18, 2005.[21][22] A timeline of the case has been written from the point of view of the plaintiffs.[23]
On July 6, 2010, the
Geography
Climate
Climate data for Port Colborne (1981−2010) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 15.0 (59.0) |
16.0 (60.8) |
24.0 (75.2) |
32.5 (90.5) |
31.5 (88.7) |
33.5 (92.3) |
35.0 (95.0) |
33.0 (91.4) |
31.0 (87.8) |
27.2 (81.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
18.0 (64.4) |
35.0 (95.0) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −0.4 (31.3) |
0.6 (33.1) |
4.8 (40.6) |
11.5 (52.7) |
17.9 (64.2) |
23.1 (73.6) |
25.9 (78.6) |
25.4 (77.7) |
21.3 (70.3) |
14.8 (58.6) |
8.7 (47.7) |
2.7 (36.9) |
13.0 (55.4) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −3.7 (25.3) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
0.8 (33.4) |
7.0 (44.6) |
13.2 (55.8) |
18.7 (65.7) |
21.9 (71.4) |
21.3 (70.3) |
17.4 (63.3) |
11.0 (51.8) |
5.5 (41.9) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
9.2 (48.6) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −6.9 (19.6) |
−6.5 (20.3) |
−3.2 (26.2) |
2.4 (36.3) |
8.5 (47.3) |
14.4 (57.9) |
17.8 (64.0) |
17.2 (63.0) |
13.4 (56.1) |
7.3 (45.1) |
2.2 (36.0) |
−3.4 (25.9) |
5.3 (41.5) |
Record low °C (°F) | −26 (−15) |
−25 (−13) |
−24 (−11) |
−11.5 (11.3) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
2.2 (36.0) |
6.0 (42.8) |
5.0 (41.0) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
−6.1 (21.0) |
−11.5 (11.3) |
−26 (−15) |
−26 (−15) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 73.1 (2.88) |
57.0 (2.24) |
66.8 (2.63) |
76.1 (3.00) |
89.7 (3.53) |
78.9 (3.11) |
82.2 (3.24) |
82.5 (3.25) |
98.0 (3.86) |
90.4 (3.56) |
100.9 (3.97) |
88.8 (3.50) |
984.6 (38.76) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 32.5 (1.28) |
26.9 (1.06) |
46.6 (1.83) |
71.9 (2.83) |
89.1 (3.51) |
78.9 (3.11) |
82.2 (3.24) |
82.5 (3.25) |
98.0 (3.86) |
89.7 (3.53) |
95.2 (3.75) |
53.2 (2.09) |
846.8 (33.34) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 40.5 (15.9) |
30.1 (11.9) |
20.2 (8.0) |
4.2 (1.7) |
0.6 (0.2) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.8 (0.3) |
5.8 (2.3) |
35.6 (14.0) |
137.7 (54.2) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 15.2 | 11.1 | 12.5 | 13.8 | 13.3 | 11.2 | 10.6 | 10.3 | 11.8 | 13.4 | 15.1 | 14.9 | 153.2 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 6.2 | 5.3 | 8.7 | 13.2 | 13.3 | 11.2 | 10.6 | 10.3 | 11.8 | 13.4 | 13.9 | 9.0 | 127.1 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 9.6 | 6.6 | 4.5 | 1.4 | 0.08 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.12 | 1.9 | 7.1 | 31.3 |
Source: Environment Canada.[5] |
Communities
Communities within the city include:
- Bethel - Chippawa Road and Yager Road
- Cedar Bay - Cedar Bay Road and Vimy Road
- East Village
- Elco Beach - Wyldewood Road and Fireland 15
- Gasline - Pinecrest Road and Vimy Road
- Humberstone - Killaly Street and Highway 3
- Lorraine - Weaver Road and Firelane 1
- Nickel Beach - foot of Lake Road
- Pine Crest Point - Pincrest Road and Firelane 2
- Pleasant Beach
- Sherkston
- Sherkston Beaches
- Shisler Point
- Silver Bay
- Sugar Loaf Point/Sugar Loaf Marina - west side of Gravelly Bay
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1871 | 1,500 | — |
1901 | 1,253 | −16.5% |
1911 | 1,624 | +29.6% |
1921 | 3,415 | +110.3% |
1931 | 6,503 | +90.4% |
1941 | 6,928 | +6.5% |
1951 | 8,275 | +19.4% |
1961 | 14,886 | +79.9% |
1971 | 21,420 | +43.9% |
1981 | 19,225 | −10.2% |
1991 | 18,766 | −2.4% |
2021 | 20,033 | +9.4% |
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Port Colborne had a population of 20,033 living in 8,710 of its 10,219 total private dwellings, a change of 9.4% from its 2016 population of 18,306. With a land area of 121.99 km2 (47.10 sq mi), it had a population density of 164.2/km2 (425.3/sq mi) in 2021.[30]
2021 | 2016 | 2011 | |
---|---|---|---|
Population | 20,033 (+9.4% from 2016) | 18,306 (-0.6% from 2011) | 18,424 (-0.9% from 2006) |
Land area | 121.99 km2 (47.10 sq mi) | 121.96 km2 (47.09 sq mi) | 121.97 km2 (47.09 sq mi) |
Population density | 164.2/km2 (425/sq mi) | 150.1/km2 (389/sq mi) | 151.1/km2 (391/sq mi) |
Median age | 50.4 (M: 48.8, F: 52) | 50.0 (M: 48.8, F: 51.1) | 47.5 (M: 46.4, F: 48.6) |
Private dwellings | 10,219 (total) | 9,825 (total) | 10,083 (total) |
Median household income | $57,244 |
Economy
Maritime commerce, including supplying goods to the camps for the labourers who worked on the first canal, ship repair and the provisioning trade, was, and still is, an important part of Port Colborne's economy. Like other cities in the region, Port Colborne was a heavily industrial city throughout most of the early 20th century. A
As recently as 2017, Port Colborne has been successful attracting new industry, such as the agro-business operations of Casco Inc.[39] and Jungbunzlauer,[40] which process corn into products such as sweeteners and citric acid.
The
Marine Recycling Corporation is a ship recycling firm, boasting of Green (environmentally friendly) services, located next to the Welland Canal at Gravelly Bay and operating since the 1970s. [42]
A 2012 report indicates the following as the largest private sector employers, with a staff of over 50, in Port Colborne at that time:[43]
- Port Colborne Poultry (Pinty's Delicious Foods, now owned by Olymel), 229 employees
- Vale Canada Limited, 200
- J. Oskam Steel Fabricators Ltd., 150
- IMT Partnership, 108
- ADM Milling, 95
- Thurston Machine Co. Ltd., 85
- JTL Machine Ltd., 78
- Jungbunzlauer Canada Inc., 74
- Brennan Paving Ltd., 70
- Ingredion Canada Inc., 70
Arts and culture
Port Colborne hosts the annual
The Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum, located near the centre of town, is a resource for local history and archival research. In addition to a collection of historic buildings and artifacts, it opened the "Marie Semley Research Wing" to foster research into local history, named to commemorate the long-standing efforts of a local resident who devoted hours to the museum.[citation needed]
The community features theatre venues with the professional Lighthouse Festival Theatre (formerly Showboat) and the amateur Port Colborne Operatic Society.[45] The company has been presenting annual productions since its inception in 1945.
The Port Colborne
Kinnear House is a local heritage property associated with the jurist Helen Kinnear, the first woman in Canada to be appointed judge by the federal government, or to appear as counsel before the Supreme Court.[48]
The "incredible shrinking mill" is an optical illusion produced when viewing the federal grain elevator in Port Colborne. When travelling east on Lakeshore Road, the mill appears to move farther away as one drives closer.[49]
Attractions
Tourism is important to the Port Colborne's economy, aided by the city's proximity to Lake Erie beaches and marinas, and to Niagara Falls. In 2015, Port Colborne formed The Tourism and Marketing Advisory Committee to provide advice and recommendations for increasing this aspect of the economy.[50] Described by the city as "Niagara's South Coast", Port Colborne features live theatre, golfing, multi-use trails, fishing, beaches, restaurants, recreation, a marina, and shopping districts along the Welland Canal.[51]
Notable sites in Port Colborne include:[52]
- The Welland Canal
- Port Colborne Port Promenade
- The Friendship Trail
- HH Knoll Lakeview Park
- The Welland Canals Parkways Trail
- Nickel Beach
- Lock 8 Gateway Park
- Sugarloaf Harbour Marina
- Historical and Marine Museum
- Vale Centre (twin pad arena and YMCA featuring pool, gyms and bocce courts)
- Thomas A. Lannan Sports Complex
Education
There are two
Notable people
- David Lametti, federal Minister of Justice
- Tony Dekker, singer/songwriter of folk band Great Lake Swimmers
- Jim Gregory, NHL General Manager (Toronto Maple Leafs)
- Ted 'Teeder' Kennedy, NHL hockey player
- Helen Kinnear, first woman appointed judge by the federal government
- Joseph "Bronco" Horvath, NHL hockey player
- Floyd G. Robinson, teacher and educator
- Melissa McIntyre, actress (Degrassi: The Next Generation)
- Don Simmons, NHL hockey player
- Lynton 'Red' Wilson, former CEO of BCE Inc., chancellor of McMaster University, and officer of the Order of Canada
- DeFranco Family, 1970s pop group
- Francis William "Dinty" Moore, goaltender for the 1936 Canadian men's Olympic hockey team
- Lieutenant Colonel Russell Lambert Boyle, Commanding Officer of the 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Killed at the 2nd Battle of Ypres, April 1915.
- Alexis Davis, mixed martial artist
- Elmer Iseler, choral conductor
- Matt Craven, actor
- Vance Badawey, politician
References
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- ^ City of Port Colborne • Mayor's Office
- ^ 2021 Census of Population. Statistics Canada. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
- ^ Environment Canada. October 31, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
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- ^ a b "City of Port Colborne - History". portcolborne.ca. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020.
- ^ "Exhibit explores how Tennessee came to Port Colborne". Erie Media. April 29, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
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{{cite web}}
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