Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 6 - Through Grantham and Louth Townships

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the area between the Townships of Grantham and Louth. Identified structures associated with the Canal include the floating tow path. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Features of the First Welland Canal are noted in red ink and include the old towing path, and the original bed of the Twelve Mile Creek. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. New Road, 1st Concession Road, and an unnamed road in the top right corner), an unnamed bridge along New Road, J. Martindale's House, an Old Saw Mill, Richardsons Creek, Georges Point, and an oak tree at Georges Point. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 2 Lot 23 and Concession 3 Lot 23 in the Grantham Township, Concession 2 Lots 1 and 2, and Concession 3 Lots 1 and 2 in the Louth Township, Peter Weaver, J. Martindale, and John Bonner. A property belonging to the Board of Works is outlined in red at Georges Point.

Second Welland Canal - Book 2, Survey Map 11 - Marlatts Bridge in Thorold

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the canal in Thorold Township. Identified structures associated with the Canal include the towing path. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads(ex. Road to Allanburgh), Marlatt's Bridge, Marlatt's Culvert, Marlatt's Dwelling House, Willson's Dwelling House, Willson's Tannery, a flume, a bridge house, a covered drain, and a creek. Properties and property owners of note are: Lots 49, 50, and 51, Hiram Marlatt, Willson, John Kelley, and E. Hopkins.

Second Welland Canal - Book 3, Survey Map 1 - Canal to Chippewa Creek with Port Robinson

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing Port Robinson and the canal to Chippewa Creek. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Front Street, Bridge Street, and Cross Street), the Welland railroad, Dry Dock leased to D. McFarland and Abbey, G. Jordan Tavern, D. McFarland and Co. Burnt Saw Mill, I. Pew Shop, Old Locks, New Lock, Canal to Chippewa Creek, Chippewa Creek, covered drain from dry dock, a barn and several bridges. Properties and property owners of note are: Lots 202, Broken Front lots 202 and 203, D. McFarland, and G. Jordan.

Second Welland Canal - Book 3, Survey Map 2 - Canal to Chippewa Creek with Port Robinson

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the canal as it passes through Port Robinson. Identified structures associated with the Canal include the Guard Lock, Collector Toll Office, towing path, and the New Cut of the canal. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Island Street, Bridge Street, John Street, and Cross Street), bridges (Swing Bridge, and several unnamed bridges), Welland Railroad, Canal to Chippewa Creek (and two old locks and one new lock associated with the canal), Chippewa Creek, Back Water, an unnamed Island, Dry Dock leased to McFarland and Abbey, Abbey's Office, D. McFarland and Co. Saw Mill (Burnt), G. Jordan Tavern, Robert Elliot Store House and Wharf, Isaac Pew's Shop, Colemans Hotel, R. Band and Co. Girst Mill, Donaldson and Co. Grist Mill, H. Marlatt Dwelling House and barn, Henry W. Timms Hotel, Methodist Church, Post Office, Blacksmith Shop, a church, a structure labeled B. Patch, and a number of other structures that are not named. Properties and property owners of note are: Lots 202 and 203, S. Hill, D. McFarland, Church Society, G. Jordan, D. Coleman, John Brown, Rob Coulter, Robert Elliot, Isaac Pew, James McCoppen, William Bell, Charles Stuart, Andrew Elliot, Robert Band, Ed. Feney, John Betty, F. Sharp, William B. Hendershot, A. Brownson, H. Marlatt, J. S. Powell, and the School Trustees. Two reserved properties are labeled in red.The current spelling of Chippewa Creek is Chippawa. Although it not possible to make out the entire name of the H. W. Timms hotel located at Front and Bridge Street on the map itself, it was discovered to belong to Henry W. Timms after consulting the 1851-52 Canada Directory.

Second Welland Canal - Book 3, Survey Map 8 - Quaker Bridge in Thorold

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the canal in the Thorold Township between Port Robinson and Welland. Identified structures and features associated with the Canal include the towing path, back ditch, and the waterway itself. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks are also identified and include roads and streets (ex. Road to Port Robinson), Quaker Bridge, Hagar's Wood Wharf, Spoil Bank, and several ponds. Properties and property owners of note are: Lots 222, 223, and 224, Johnathan Hagar, E. Shotwell, and Alem Marr.

Second Welland Canal - Book 3, Survey Map 13 - Village of Welland - Merrittville and Crowland

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the township of Crowland as well as the Village of Welland-Merritville. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Old Canal, old towing path, water way, bridge, culvert, covered drain, drain, and towing path. Surveyor measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks include E. Seeley's store, W.A. Bald's store, barn, and two ponds. Roads parallel to Canal include the old towing road, towing path, Canal Street, road to Welland_lle, and road to Junction. Roads perpendicular to Canal include Road Allowance between the 5th and 6th Concession, Division Street, Road to Narrows. Properties and property owners are noted as W.A. Bald, E. Seeley, John Price, Eli Mead, Jacob Griffith, John Hellems. Lots noted are: Lots Number 25, 26, 5th Concession.

Second Welland Canal - Book 3, Survey Map 14 - Village of Junction and Crowland

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the border area of the townships of Crowland and Humberstone, as well as the Village of Junction. Identified structures associated with the Canal include ditches, guard lock, old canal, new towing path, bridge, feeder to Dunnville, covered drain. Surveyor measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks include James Turf Tavern and possible marshland. Roads parallel to Canal include western Road Allowance, the new towing road, road to Welland and road to Junction. Roads perpendicular to Canal include Road Allowance between the 5th and 6th Concession. Properties and property owners are noted as Thomas. C. Street, James Tuft, and John Hellems. Lots noted are: Lots Number 26, 27, 6th Concession.

Second Welland Canal - Book 3, Survey Map 19 - Petersburgh and Humberstone

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the areas in and around Petersburg and Humberstone. Identified structures associated with the Canal include North and South Back Ditches, Bridge Tender's Building, Towing Path, Old Back Ditch, and Covered Drain. Features of the First Welland Canal are noted in red ink. Surveyor measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks include bridge, barns, ruins of Stone Mill (burnt), Wesbern (Wabern) Hotel and spoil banks. Roads labelled running parallel to Canal is the south Road Allowance. Roads perpendicular to Canal include Road Allowance between 1st and 2nd Concession, Road to Waterloo Ferry, Road Allowance between 2nd and 3rd Concessions. Properties and property owners/renters are identified as follows: A. Augustine, Captain Duffil, O. Farres, I. Schooley, George Augustine, E. Schooley (Schooly), R. and J. Kilmer (Killmer), J. Urich, J. Thompson (Tompson), M. Reeb, G. Wilson, J. Klee, John Steel, E. Augustine, Furry, J. Jackson, Robert House, R. White, J. Crame, D. Saff, J. Kinnard, J. Schooley, Dickson, C. Erhoff, and G. Rother."Village of Petersburgh" - Scale 2 Chs. per Inch "Humberstone" - Scale 4 Chs. per Inch,

Welland Canal Survey of Lands Plan of a cut at the mouth of Chippewa or Welland River, n.d.

Survey map and description of the land at the cut of the Chippewa or Welland River. Created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a drawing of the land along with brief surveyors notes. Noteable features include; bridge, Welland River, road, Stone house, J. Cummings Esq. house, military line, military land, Old Fort, old military draw bridge. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map.

Manuscript of James Cummings- August 28, 1860

Transcript (spelling and grammar retained): Chippawa [Chippewa] 28th August 1860 My Dear Sir I duly received your very kind letter of the 24th [June] asking me to communicate such facts of general interest connected with my career during the War with the United States. I have no objection to afford you such information as came under my own observation; nevertheless I do so, with the understanding, I have no desire to be my own trumpeter. With respect to your circular wherein you state you have been for several years collecting materials for a History of the late War between the United States & Great Britain, for which you are now gathering further materials to add to your collection, concerning the Second War for Independence. I am rather at a loss to know, what is meant by the second war; If you allude to the petty Rebellion, it could not be called a War, Those that caused the outbreak were very soon put down, by the Loyal people of the Province without the aid of Regular Troops being satisfied with the Independence they enjoyed. With respect to the several questions names in your circular: To the 1st I would say, this locality is made memorable by the battle of Chippawa [Chippewa] which took place about a mile above the village on the ground I pointed out to you, when I had the pleasure of seeing you a few days ago, with Mr Porter of the Niagara Falls, of which I believe you took sketches at the time. 2nd I have no historical documents of any value; so many years having gone past, the most of my old papers have either been lost or destroyed, I however came across two letters, one dated Queenston 9th July 1812 from Lt. Col. Nicholl Quarter Master General of Militia, the other from Lt. Col Myers Deputy Quarter Master General of the Regular Army date Fort George 23rd same month, directed to me in the hand writing of each of those officers as Deputy Quarter Master General of Militia, which letters I shall be obliged you would return at as early a day possible, as I wish to place them with tome others in the case, I have had made to hold the cocked hat & feather I wore during that eventful period, which I am sorry I did not exhibit when you was at my house; with reference to it I now enclose a letter from Lt. Col. Clark, residing at Port Dalhousie he was Captain & Adjutant of Militia in the War of 1812__ I send the letter in proof of the cock’d hat it is a lengthy one, but you may find time to turn over it, as I shall also place it in the hat case__ 3rd Where are [but] [for] traditionary [sic] witnesses residing in this vicinity – Col Clark above named Mr Merritt of St. Catharines, & Mr Kerby of Brantford are the only ones I now recollect, who could offord [sic] you any statistical information. 4th I have no pictorial sketches of any Military Movements or fortifications. As regards my own career, which you appear [ ? ] of knowing__ I was first a Lieutenant in a volunteer flank company stationed on the river side opposite [Navy] Island not far from the battle ground of Chippawa [Chippewa], I got promotion as Lieutenant of Cavalry before I got my Cavalry dress completed in three days more, I was called by General Brock to Fort George, was appointed Deputy Quarter Master General of Militia with the rank of Captain s the accompanying letters will show. I was at the battle of Stony Creek, several skirmishes at the Cross Roads, when the American army [ ? ] Fort George, at the taking of Col. Boerstler at the Beaver Dam, & had the honor of receiving Colonel Chapens sword at the surrender, who commanded a company of volunteer Horse Men was at the taking of 15 regulars & two officers at Fort Schlosser—was with Col. Bishop at the taking of Black Rock, near him when he fell, three men of the 8th Reg. more killed in the Boat I was in – I was at Chippawa battle, and the last, not the least in Lundy’s lane battle, which the Americans call the battle of Bridge [Waters]. I had forgot; there was another small affair at Corks Mill where I was. I could write a little history of events, but have not the time to do so. If what I have stated will be of any service for the purpose you require I shall feel happy. The history of the late War was published at Toronto in the Anglo American Magazine. Did you ever see it, I have the Books, there were however several errors which came under my notice, which I could have corrected. If my time would permit I could give you a more detailed statement of events. I trust however you may succeed with your publication , and I shall be most happy to hear from you at all times—I related many little occurances verbally to you when here, which I thought not necessary to repeat again as you would have a perfect recollection of them. Be pleased to return the letters for the purpose I require them. I am My Dear Sir Your respectful friend James Cummings

Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge Company fonds, 1875-1876, 1878, 1884

In 1846, the governments of Upper Canada and the State of New York initiated the creation of two companies that would be authorized to build a bridge over the Niagara River. The bridge was to be owned by both companies, respectively known as the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge Company (Canadian) and the International Bridge Company (American). A suspension bridge was completed in 1848. This bridge was later replaced by a second suspension bridge that accommodated railways, built in 1853-54. However, the increasing weight of trains made it necessary for the bridge to be redesigned, and a third bridge was completed in 1886. Eventually, this bridge was replaced by a steel arch bridge, which was completed in 1897.

Niagara Falls Bridge Commission Scrapbooks, 1941-1948, 1953-1963, 1965-1974

The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission was created by a joint resolution of the 1938 U.S. Congressional Third Session. The Extra Provincial Corporations Act of Ontario, Canada licenses the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. Canada and the United States are equally represented on the Commission by an 8 member Board of Commissioners. Canadian commissioners are appointed by the Premier of Ontario. The three Niagara bridges are the Whirlpool Bridge, the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and the Rainbow Bridge. Source:http://niagarafallsbridges.com/index.php3

Niagara Falls Bridge Commission Scrapbook and Clippings, 1948, 1950, 1954-1960

he Niagara Falls Bridge Commission was created by a joint resolution of the 1938 U.S. Congressional Third Session. The Extra Provincial Corporations Act of Ontario, Canada licenses the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. Canada and the United States are equally represented on the Commission by an 8 member Board of Commissioners. Canadian commissioners are appointed by the Premier of Ontario. The three Niagara bridges are the Whirlpool Bridge, the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and the Rainbow Bridge.

The Old Welland Canal and the Man who Made It

Story of the creation of the first welland canal, and of its creator, William Hamilton Merritt.

Report on the Niagara Railway Suspension Bridge (1892)

Final Report of John A. Roebling, Civil Engineer, to the Presidents and Directors of the Niagara Falls International Bridge Companies.