The Founding of Thorold
Text from the plaque
During the construction of the original Welland Canal, 1824-1829, a number of communities sprung up along its length. Here, on land belonging to George Keefer, a village known as Thorold had developed by 1828. A large flouring mill was built on the canal and the Thorold Township post office was moved from Beaverdams to the new settlement by Jacob Keefer. By 1831 two sawmills were in operation and in 1835 the village contained 370 inhabitants. During the 1840's the building of the Welland Mills, then one of the largest flour mills in Canada, and the establishment of Ontario's first cotton factory, stimulated the community's growth. It was incorporated as a Village in 1850, as a Town in 1875 and as a City in 1975.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The Region of Niagara
The City of Thorold
In Beaverdams Battlefield Park, about halfway between the
parking lot on Ormond Street South
across from Portland Street
and the Sullivan Avenue pedestrian entrance
Also recorded for this place: The Region of Niagara
N 43 07.321 W 79 12.041
Recorded August 2004. Check current access before visiting.
More information
Visitors' notes
December 19, 2012
I have an old Wesley's Hymns book that has been in my family for 4 to 5 generations and has a small sticker on the back inside cover "sold by Jacob Keefer Post Office Thorold, Ont. Does anyone know anything of the time frame books were sold there? Any other info? email