Thorold

Coordinates: 43°07′N 79°12′W / 43.117°N 79.200°W / 43.117; -79.200
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Thorold, Ontario
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Thorold
City of Thorold
The Keefer Mansion Inn, previously Maplehurst
The Keefer Mansion Inn, previously Maplehurst
905, 289, 365, and 742
Websitewww.thorold.ca

Thorold is a city in Ontario, Canada, located on the Niagara Escarpment. It is also the seat of the Regional Municipality of Niagara. The Welland Canal passes through the city, featuring lock 7 and the Twin Flight Locks.

History

The first survey of Thorold, or Township 9 as it was known then, occurred in 1788. The earliest communities in what is now Thorold emerged at Beaverdams, DeCew Falls and

St. Johns[2] but, after the opening of the First Welland Canal in 1829, they were superseded by the new canal villages of Thorold, Allanburg and Port Robinson
.

In 1846, the community had a population of about 1,000 and there were three churches or chapels and a post office. Various types of tradesmen worked here. Industry included two grist mills, a cement mill, a brewery and three wagon makers. There were seven taverns.[3]

Thorold, located on the brow of the

Regional Municipality of Niagara was formed in 1970, the Town of Thorold expanded to include the former Thorold Township. In 1975, the town became incorporated as the City of Thorold.[4]

Thorold is also the location of the

Geography

The city includes the neighbourhoods of Allanburg, Beaverdams, Confederation Heights, Port Robinson, St. Johns, Rolling Meadows, Thorold South and Turner's Corners.

St. Johns was one of the first areas in the interior of

hydro power
offered by the site became less of a commodity. As industry in surrounding towns grew, St. Johns' affluence declined.

Demographics

Historical populations
YearPop.±%
18411,000—    
18711,635+63.5%
19011,979+21.0%
2016
18,801+4.9%

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Thorold had a population of 23,816 living in 9,095 of its 9,856 total private dwellings, a change of 26.7% from its 2016 population of 18,801. With a land area of 83.29 km2 (32.16 sq mi), it had a population density of 285.9/km2 (740.6/sq mi) in 2021.[6]

Arts and culture

Thorold is home to several festivals and annual events. Included are:

Attractions

Trails

The Welland Canal Parkway Trail is a paved recreational path beginning in St. Catharines at Lake Ontario and ending at Lake Erie in Port Colborne. Three sections of the trail are located within Thorold, which are:

  • Section Four: Glendale Avenue to Beaverdams Road, Thorold
  • Section Five: Beaverdams Road to Allanburg, Thorold
  • Section Six: Allanburg to Port Robinson, Thorold

The trail follows the Welland Canal, and passes next to the Thorold Lock 7 Viewing Complex.

Parks

Officially opened in 2002, the Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park is a 29-acre waterfront park located on Lake Gibson.[10] There are trails winding through the park as well as a main path along the perimeter. One of the main features of the park is the suspended boardwalk that runs along the shore of the lake. The Mel Swart - Lake Gibson Conservation Park is part of the Niagara Greenbelt.[11]

Short Hills Provincial Park is partially located in the City of Thorold.

Historical sites

DeCew House

On DeCew Road,

Queenston to DeCew House to warn Lieutenant James FitzGibbon
of an impending American attack. FitzGibbon and his men were able to capture the American force and help turn the tide of the war. The house was destroyed by fire in 1950 but the site is commemorated by the rebuilt foundation and a plaque.

The Old Fire Hall

At 12 Albert Street West, was constructed next to the Second Welland Canal in 1878. This building once housed Thorold's police force and, to this day, contains a jail with 2 small cells and 1 larger in the basement. For many years, the fire bell tolled for the town's strictly enforced nine o'clock curfew. The Old Firehall was designed by the architect John Latshaw and built for $2,483. It has a combination bell tower and hose tower, yellow and red brickwork, semi-circular wood windows, and a circular wood window in the gable end at the tower. Decorative yellow brick arches frame each window. The bell which hung in its tower remained in use until 1964, when the fire department moved into its new hall on nearby Towpath Street. In 1967 the old bell was installed outside the new firehall. The "Old Hall" was used as the Thorold YMCA for several years thereafter. There are 3 holding cells in the basement. 2 are small and another larger one under the west side of the building.

Chestnut Hall

At 14 Ormond Street North, is a carefully restored 1862 building that was once home to John McDonagh, a lumber merchant and mayor of the Town of Thorold from 1881–1884.

St. Johns School House

On Hollow Road, is a single-room wooden school house located in the west portion of Thorold. Opening in 1804, it was the first free school in Upper Canada. The first teacher at the school was Samuel Birdsall. The enrolment in 1826 was recorded as 29 students. The building was fully restored in 1974.

Maplehurst

At 14 Saint David's Road West, is a Thorold landmark and the former home of Jacob Keefer. The mansion sits on the highest rise in the city offering a commanding view of the community below. Built by Hugh Keefer in 1885, this red stone structure with elaborate gables and dormers has been variously used in the past as a residence, a hospital, and a private nursing home. Maplehurst was recently restored to its original condition and is currently known as the Keefer Mansion, a 10-room inn.

Welland Mills

At 20 Pine Street North, was constructed in 1846 on the bank of the second Welland Canal by Jacob Keefer and, at that time, it contained the largest watermill in Canada. The Keefers were entrepreneurs and are considered one of Thorold's founding families. At its height, the mill was capable of manufacturing 300 barrels (89 tonnes) of flour per day and storing 70,000 bushels (1,900 tonnes) of wheat and 5,000 barrels (440 tonnes) of flour. Today, the Welland Mills building has been restored offering commercial space on the ground floor and residential apartments above.

Beaverdams Methodist Church and Cemetery

On Marlatt's Road, was constructed in 1832. Beaverdams Church is the oldest Methodist Church still standing in Ontario. The first minister to preach in the chapel was Reverend Egerton Ryerson, who is largely responsible for founding the province of Ontario's education system.

Soldiers' Monument

A war memorial monument that commemorates World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Located in Memorial Park, at the corner of Albert and Chapel streets, it was unveiled on Sunday, October 30, 1921 and was erected by the citizens of Thorold to: "Honour the Memory of the Men of Thorold, who gave their lives for the cause of freedom in the great war, and in grateful remembrance of those who shared its dangers."

The Old Public Library

At 1 Ormond Street South, is one of 156 Carnegie libraries to have been funded in Canada. The building, designed by architect A. E. Nicholson, was opened in 1912. The library moved from here to its present home in Chestnut Hall in 1983. The building now serves as office space.

Sports

Thorold Blackhawks

The

Golden Horseshoe Conference Champions in 2008. In 2005, the team went on to capture the Sutherland Cup as the best Junior 'B' team in Ontario. Notable former players include Nathan Horton, Dwayne Roloson, Conor Timmins and Owen Nolan. The Blackhawks home rink is the Thorold Community Arena in downtown
Thorold. The team colours are black, white and red.

Infrastructure

Transportation

The

Highway 58 to cross the Welland Canal without interrupting shipping. Approximately 24,300 vehicles pass through the tunnel daily.[12]

Niagara Detention Centre

Thorold is home to the Niagara Detention Centre, a 260-person capacity maximum-security prison. It generally serves people on remand, offenders sentenced to short terms (60 days or less), and offenders awaiting transfer to larger federal or provincial facilities.[13] It is located between the neighbourhoods of Thorold South and Allanburg.

Notable people

Gallery

  • Old Fire Hall
    Old Fire Hall
  • Thorold Community Arena
    Thorold Community Arena
  • Welland Mills before restoration
    Welland Mills before restoration
  • Thorold Tunnel
    Thorold Tunnel
  • Lock 7 Information Centre sign
    Lock 7 Information Centre sign
  • The remaining foundation of the DeCew House
    The remaining foundation of the DeCew House
  • Canada Games Park
    Canada Games Park
  • Sunset from the boardwalk at the Mel Swart Park
    Sunset from the boardwalk at the Mel Swart Park

See also

References

  1. ^
    2016 Census of Population
    . Statistics Canada. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  2. ^ "History". Archived from the original on January 16, 2018.
  3. ^ Smith, Wm. H. (1846). Smith's Canadian Gazetteer - Statistical and General Information Respecting all parts of The Upper Province, or Canada West. Toronto: H. & W. Rowsell. p. 191. Archived from the original on 2016-04-03. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
  4. ^ Gayler, Hugh. "Thorold". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  5. . Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Ontario". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  7. ^ "Lock 7 Viewing Complex". Brock University and Tourism Niagara. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  8. ^ "Canal Bank Shuffle". Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  9. ^ Heslop, Bonnie. "NIAGARA'S ONLY DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATRE IS FOR SALE FOR $10.8M". iHeart Radio. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  10. ^ "Community Parks - City of Thorold". City of Thorold. April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  11. ^ "Community Parks - City of Thorold". City of Thorold. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  12. ^ Gannon, Dennis. "Yesterday and Today: The Thorold Tunnel turns 50". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Niagara Detention Centre". Niagara Community Information Database. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012.
  14. ^ Blay, Jeff. "Owen Nolan to be inducted into Thorold's Runway of Recognition". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  15. ^ a b Lansbergen, Bernard. "Thorold hockey star enjoying shift to new career". ThoroldToday. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  16. ^ Liddycoat, Bob. "NHL dream come true for Timmins". ThoroldToday. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

External links