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.
Thorold | |
|---|---|
| City of Thorold | |
 Downtown Thorold in 2023 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Thorold in the Niagara Region | |
  Thorold Location in southern Ontario | |
| Coordinates: 43°07′N 79°12′W / 43.117°N 79.200°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Region | Niagara |
| Incorporated | 1850 (village) |
| 1870 (town) | |
| 1975 (city) | |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Terry Ugulini |
| • Governing body | Thorold City Council |
| • MP | Vance Badawey |
| • MPP | Jeff Burch |
| Area | |
| • Land | 83.29 km2 (32.16 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 162 m (531 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 23,816 |
| • Density | 285.9/km2 (740/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Postal code | L2V, L2T, L0S |
| Area code(s) | 905, 289, 365, and 742 |
| Website | www.thorold.ca |
History
editThe 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] 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 Niagara Escarpment, soon became dominant and was incorporated as a village in 1850.[4] Its formation was linked to the creation of the First Welland Canal.[5] The village experienced population growth as the canal became more developed. In 1875, Thorold became a town.[4]
When 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.[6]
Thorold is also the location of the War of 1812 battle site, Beaverdams, where, on June 25, 1813, Colonel Charles Boerstler and his American troops were defeated by the British regulars and Caughnawaga Mohawks.[7]
The 2021 Canadian census identified Thorold as the eighth-fastest growing municipality in Canada.[8]
Demographics
edit| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1841 | 1,000 | — |
| 1871 | 1,635 | +63.5% |
| 1901 | 1,979 | +21.0% |
| 1911 | 2,273 | +14.9% |
| 1921 | 4,825 | +112.3% |
| 1931 | 5,092 | +5.5% |
| 1941 | 5,284 | +3.8% |
| 1951 | 6,397 | +21.1% |
| 1961 | 8,633 | +35.0% |
| 1971 | 15,065 | +74.5% |
| 1981 | 15,412 | +2.3% |
| 1991 | 17,542 | +13.8% |
| 1996 | 17,883 | +1.9% |
| 2001 | 18,048 | +0.9% |
| 2006 | 18,224 | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 17,931 | −1.6% |
| 2016 | 18,801 | +4.9% |
| 2021 | 23,816 | +26.7% |
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.[9]
Economy
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Thorold's economy, like other municipalities in the Niagara Region, has benefitted from the Welland Canal.[10] An estimated 37 million tonnes of freight is handled and shipped there annually.[11]
Thorold South has several industrial and manufacturing businesses.[12]
Arts and culture
editThe Thorold Reed Band has been in operation since its formation in 1851. The band has performed every year, with the exception of 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario.[13] The Canal Bank Shuffle is an annual musical festival that takes place in Thorold. The event features blues music.[14]
In July 2024, downtown Thorold was used as a filming location for the eighteenth season of Murdoch Mysteries.[15] 11 scenes were filmed in the city.[16] Thorold was chosen due to its proximity to other filming locations and the lack of "contamination" in historical buildings. The setting being filmed for the series was Grimsby.[17]
Attractions
editParks and trails
editOfficially opened in 2002, the Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park is a 29-acre waterfront park located on Lake Gibson.[18] The park is part of the Niagara Greenbelt.[19] The Short Hills Provincial Park is also partially located in the City of Thorold.[20]
The Welland Canal Parkway Trail is a paved 42 km recreational path along the Welland Canal, from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.[21]
Historic sites
editThere are multiple historic sites in Thorold. These include:
| The Decew House, which was the destination of Laura Secord's journey to warn the British of a planned American attack. Thanks to her warning, FitzGibbon was prepared for the attack, and in the ensuing Battle of Beaver Dams was able to secure the surrender of an American force of approximately 500 men.[22] In 1950, it was destroyed by a fire.[23] | |
| The Old Fire Hall at 12 Albert Street West. It was constructed in 1878 and designed by the architect John Latshaw. The building was repurposed as a design studio.[24] | |
| Thorold's Carnegie Library, which opened in 1912 and closed in 1983.[25] | |
| Chestnut Hall is a historic building that was the home of John McDonagh, who was the mayor of the Village of Thorold.[26] It was then used for the city hall.[27] It is attached to the current Thorold Public Library.[26] | |
| The St. Johns Common School was the first non-denominational free school in Upper Canada, and remained in use until 1844, when a new school was built nearby. The cabin continues to be used for educational purposes, and is the oldest extant public school in Ontario.[28][29][30] | |
| The Keefer Mansion is a building with ten rooms and bathrooms. It is also known as Maplehurst. It is owned by the city and has been leased as an inn.[31] | |
| Welland Mills was a flour mill built by Jacob Keefer in 1846-47.[32] | |
| The Beaverdams Church, which opened in 1832.[33] |
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Sports
edit
The Thorold Blackhawks are a Junior 'B' hockey team in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. In 2023, the team permanently moved to Port Colborne from Thorold.[34]
Thorold, along with other municipalities in the Niagara Region, hosted events for the 2022 Canada Summer Games. The Canada Games Park was built in Thorold for the event.[35] The facility cost 102.7 million dollars.[36] In 2023, it was determined by a municipal lawyer that the city of Thorold did not own the arena and was instead one of three co-tenants leasing it from Brock University.[37]
Infrastructure
editIn 2015, the Ontario government provided money to Thorold under the Small Communities Fund.[38] The city used the 4.6 million dollars in funding to start building an affordable housing complex for seniors. 14.8 million dollars through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund was also used for the project.[39]
Transportation
edit
The Thorold Tunnel is an underwater vehicular tunnel, built between 1965 and 1967, which allows Highway 58 to cross the Welland Canal without interrupting shipping. Approximately 24,300 vehicles pass through the tunnel daily.[40]
Niagara Detention Centre
editThorold 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.[41]
Education
editThorold Secondary School is the only high school in the city. In 2012, District School Board of Niagara trustees voted on whether to close the school and decided to keep it open.[42] Thorold is close in proximity to Brock University and therefore has a large student population.[43] In 2021, four students were arrested after a large street party took place in the city.[44]
Notable people
edit- Owen Nolan, professional hockey player[45]
- Joey Martin (ice hockey), professional hockey player[46]
- Sean Bentivoglio, professional hockey player[46]
- Conor Timmins, professional hockey player[47]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "St. Catharines, Ontario census profile". 2021 Census. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ "History". Archived from the original on January 16, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Gayler, Hugh. "Thorold". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ "Canals". City of Thorold. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ Gayler, Hugh. "Thorold". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- ^ Collins, Gilbert (2006). Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 (2 ed.). Dundern Press. p. 155. ISBN 9781550029147. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ Drevfjall, Ludvig. "Welcome to Thorold—Population: 23,816". Thorold Today. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Ontario". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ Vallier, Kevin. "Welland Canal was a game changer". The Niagara Independent. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Gayler, Hugh; Jackson, John. "Welland Canal". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Lansbergen, Bernard. "The man hired to help Thorold's economy grow". Thorold Today. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Hutton, Richard. "It's been a long and winding road for the Thorold Reed Band". Thorold Today. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "Canal Bank Shuffle latest Covid-19 casualty". Thorold Today. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Tymczyszyn, Bob. "Photos: Thorold gets makeover for 'Murdoch Mysteries' filming". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ "'Murdoch Mysteries' to film in downtown Thorold". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ Hutton, Richard. "Making Murdoch: 'The biggest challenge is that it's not 1911'". Pelham Today. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ "Community Parks - City of Thorold". City of Thorold. April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ "Community Parks - City of Thorold". City of Thorold. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ "Short Hills Provincial Park Management Plan". Ontario.ca. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ "Trails". The City of Thorold. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ Collins, Gilbert (2006). Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812. Toronto: Dundurn Press Ltd. pp. 153–154. ISBN 1-55002-626-7.
- ^ "DeCew House, Thorold". Brock University. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ Blay, Jeff. "Niagara designer breathes new life into Thorold's old firehall". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ Pellatier, Cathy. "History of the Thorold Public Library". Thorold Today. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Chestnut Hall 'badly showing its age'". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ Pelletier, Cathy. "History of the Thorold Public Library". Thorold Today. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ "St. Johns Village". Niagara Greenbelt. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
- ^ "The Pioneers at St. Johns Short Hills Upper Canada" (PDF). Niagara Catholic District School Board. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
- ^ "St. Johns Common School 1804". Niagara Greenbelt. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- ^ Walter, Karena. "Thorold's historic Keefer Mansion up for lease". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ "Welland Mills, The". Ontario Heritage Trust. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ "Beaverdams Church 1832, The". Ontario Heritage Trust. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Lansbergen, Bernard. "Why the Blackhawks decided to leave Thorold for good". Thorold Today. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Rankin, Christine. "Niagara region gets $29M from feds for 2021 Canada Summer Games". CBC News. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Lansbergen, Bernard. "City council closes door on Canada Games Park investigation". Thorold Today. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Lansbergen, Bernard. "City Council still debating 'crappy' Canada Games Park deal". Thorold Today. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "Ontario Funding Infrastructure in Thorold". Ontario.ca. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Lansbergen, Bernard. "Local politicians break ground on affordable housing for seniors". Thorold Today. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Gannon, Dennis. "Yesterday and Today: The Thorold Tunnel turns 50". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ "Niagara Detention Centre". Niagara Community Information Database. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012.
- ^ "Keeping Thorold high school 'logical' choice". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ Camlasaran, Megan. "Why people are flocking to Thorold". Thorold Today. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ Lansbergen, Bernard; Drevfjall, Ludvig. "Rowdy party weekend in Juneberry-area of Thorold leads to 4 arrests and furious neighbours". Thorold Today. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ Blay, Jeff. "Owen Nolan to be inducted into Thorold's Runway of Recognition". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ a b Lansbergen, Bernard. "Thorold hockey star enjoying shift to new career". ThoroldToday. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ Liddycoat, Bob. "NHL dream come true for Timmins". ThoroldToday. Retrieved 3 August 2022.