William Hamilton Merritt 1793-1862
Text from the plaque
Born of a Loyalist family in the state of New York, Merritt became a pioneer merchant and industrialist on Upper Canada's Niagara frontier. In 1818 he began to promote construction of the Welland Canal, of which he became the first general manager (1824-41). Active in provincial politics from 1832 to 1862 as MLA, President of the Executive Council (1848-50) and Commissioner of Public Works (1850-51), he devoted his considerable energies to the economic development of the province through advocacy of such measures as the improvement of the St. Lawrence navigation and limited reciprocal free trade with the United States.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The Region of Niagara
The City of St. Catharines
On the east side of Welland Canal Parkway
on the canal side of the Welland Canals Centre
1.1 km south of Queenston Street (Road 81)
N 43 09.332 W 79 11.645
Recorded November 2009. Check current access before visiting.