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The earliest survey for Grantham Township didn’t include a planned location for a town. St. Catharines grew up organically around the junction of established trails – most notably the Iroquois Trail.
The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is helping us celebrate our 150th anniversary of being officially incorporated as a City with a weekly look back into our rich history from a diverse range of perspectives.
A small settlement grew up where the trail crossed Twelve Mile Creek and eventually became known as the Twelve. By the War of 1812, the settlement was also referred to as Shipman’s Corner as Paul Shipman had established a tavern at the crossroads – where St. Paul Street met Ontario Street. During the War of 1812, some local settlers experienced some losses due to damage when their properties were used for military purposes.
After the war, the town continued to grow. By 1827, the census of population records 384 inhabitants, not including labourers who were working on the Welland Canal. The village also boasted three churches, a school, a salt works, a post office, two doctors, six taverns and eight merchants.
This photo from the 1870’s shows one of the earliest views of the community taken from T. R. Merritt’s home, looking east towards the first Welland Canal.
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