Dr. Walter Watson

Professor of Sociology.

Annual report of the Commissioners of the State Reservation at Niagara, 1915-1916.

Report year irregular.

Niagara Parks Commission annual report, 1915.

Printed by Order of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Office of the City Clerk, St. Catharines Records, 1928-1974, n.d.

The site of present-day St. Catharines was settled by 3000 United Empire Loyalists at the end of the 18th century. From 1790, the settlement (then known as "The Twelve") grew as an agricultural community. St. Catharines was once referred to Shipman's Corners after Paul Shipman, owner of a tavern that was an important stagecoach transfer point. In 1815, leading businessman William Hamilton Merritt abandoned his wharf at Queenston and set up another at Shipman's Corners. He became involved in the construction and operation of several lumber and gristmills along Twelve Mile Creek. Shipman's Corners soon became the principal milling site of the eastern Niagara Peninsula. At about the same time, Merritt began to develop the salt springs that were discovered along the river which subsequently gave the village a reputation as a health resort. By this time St. Catharines was the official name of the village; the origin of the name remains obscure, but is thought to be named after Catharine Askin Robertson Hamilton, wife of the Hon. Robert Hamilton, a prominent businessman. Merritt devised a canal scheme from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario that would provide a more reliable water supply for the mills while at the same time function as a canal. He formed the Welland Canal Company, and construction took place from 1824 to 1829. The canal and the mills made St. Catharines the most important industrial centre in Niagara. By 1845, St. Catharines was incorporated as a town, with the town limits extending in 1854. Administrative and political functions were added to St. Catharines in 1862 when it became the county seat of Lincoln. In 1871, construction began on the third Welland Canal, which attracted additional population to the town. As a consequence of continual growth, the town limits were again extended. St. Catharines attained city status in 1876 with its larger population and area. Manufacturing became increasingly important in St. Catharines in the early 1900s with the abundance of hydro-electric power, and its location on important land and water routes. The large increase in population after the 1900s was mainly due to the continued industrialization and urbanization of the northern part of the city and the related expansion of business activity. The fourth Welland Canal was opened in 1932 as the third canal could no longer accommodate the larger ships. The post war years and the automobile brought great change to the urban form of St. Catharines. St. Catharines began to spread its boundaries in all directions with land being added five times during the 1950s. The Town of Merritton, Village of Port Dalhousie and Grantham Township were all incorporated as part of St. Catharines in 1961. In 1970 the Province of Ontario implemented a regional approach to deal with such issues as planning, pollution, transportation and services. As a result, Louth Township on the west side of the city was amalgamated, extending the city's boundary to Fifteen Mile Creek. With its current population of 131,989, St. Catharines has become the dominant centre of the Niagara region. Source: City of St. Catharines website http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/governin/HistoryOfTheCity.asp (January 27, 2011)

Proceedings : Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario - 1915

On spine : The Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario.

Photograph - Dorothy Wetherald Rungeling, 1915

This photograph is of Dorothy Wetherald Rungeling in 1915. She is approximately 4 years old in this image. Dorothy is the adopted daughter of Canadian poet Agnes Ethelwyn Wetherald.

Letter - Robert L. Borden to A.M. Grier, 27 January 1915

A letter from the office of Prime Minister Robert L. Borden to A. Monro Grier (Corporate Secretary) in regards to a pass. The pass, sent to Borden in 1915, would give him access to the Power House at the Canadian Niagara Power Company.

Proceedings of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Canada at the annual convocation, 1915

Annual Convocation proceedings for the year 1915. The title varies slightly and convocation is held at different cities or towns in Canada. Fifty-sixth annual convocation.

Annual report of the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario, 1915

The reports are also published in the Annual report of the Department of Agriculture of the province of Ontario, and in the Sessional papers of the province of Ontario "Printed by order of the Legislative Assembly" [-1923] "Printed by order of ... Minister of Agriculture" [1924-] 25th, 1893- pub. by the Ontario Department of Agriculture, Toronto 1890 -1908 reports are bound with the corresponding annual reports of the Entomological Society of Ontario 1894 -1905 reports are bound with the corresponding annual reports of the Fruit Experiment Stations of Ontario 1906 -1910 reports are bound with the corresponding Report of the Fruit Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ontario

Canada Steamship Lines Limited Richelieu (1915)

Sailing schedule and trip guide for Canada Steamship Lines Limited for July 1915.

Patriotic souvenir - Dominion Day, St. Catharines, Canada, 1915

Issued in aid of war relief and charity.

Letter - Cyrus Sumner to his brother Walter

A letter from Cyrus Sumner to his brother Walter Sumner, dated 23 April 1849. The letter describes the experiences of Cyrus Sumner from the road. He discusses the travel "from Erie to Pittsburg". A transcription accompanies the letter

Letter - Col. Frank Case McCordick to his wife May McCordick, 1915

A letter from Col. Frank C. McCordick to his wife May dated 24 December 1915. He discusses plans for Christmas dinner in the mess room and decorating the hall with holly. He mentions friends who have sent Christmas cards and asks about his daughter Doris.