Walker Brothers Quarries Limited fonds, 1975, 1980-1981, 1984, 1987-1989

Serving the Niagara and surrounding areas for over 120 years, Walker Industries has made its impact not only commercially, but also culturally. Beginning in 1875 with the erection of a stone sawing mill on a property John Walker purchased from the Welland Canal Loan Company. One of the first projects Walker cut stone for was the Merritton Town Hall. In 1882 the business expanded to include Walkers children, changing the name to Walker & Sons. Eventually in 1887 the two eldest sons took control of the business operation and their partnership changed the company’s name to Walker Brothers, the same year the company began operating its first quarry. The quarry was conveniently located alongside the 3rd Welland canal, offering easy access to Toronto and Hamilton. It was also close to the railway system which allowed immediate access to Thorold and Niagara Falls and later access to parts of Ontario and Quebec. The quarry supplied stone to build numerous halls and armouries across Ontario. A use was also found for the ‘waste products’ of cutting the limestone. Leftover stone chips were sent to paper mills, where stone was needed as part of the sulphite pulp process for making paper. Beginning to supply the Ontario Paper Company with stone in 1913, meant not only long, hard, work, but also more profit for the company. Before mechanization, most of the loading and unloading of the stone was done by hand, taking 19 man-hours to load an 18 yard railway car. Mechanization followed in 1947 when the plant became fully mechanized making the work easier and increasing production rates. In 1957 the company moved from its original location and opened the St. Catharines Crushed Stone Plant.

Phelps Family Papers [photocopy]

Oliver Phelps, son of Noah and Sarah (Adams) Phelps, was born in 1779 in Connecticut. In 1800 he married Abigail St. John, daughter of Lt. Samuel St. John and his wife Lois Hamilton. They had 9 daughters and 7 sons. Oliver Phelps came to Canada as a contractor on the first Welland Canal. In addition, he became a land owner and mill owner in partnership with William Hamilton Merritt. Oliver Phelps died in 1851 in Cayuga, Ontario along the Grand River. Some correspondence originates from a place called “Deep Cut”, an earlier name for the village of Allanburg, Thorold Township, Welland County.

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 1 - Entrance, Lock 1 and Port Dalhousie

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the areas in and around Port Dalhousie and Grantham Township. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Lock 1, Lighthouse, Lighthouse Keeper's House, East and West Piers, Harbour, Waste Weir, Store House, Collector's Office, Collector Assistant Office, Lock Tender's House and the new towing path. Features of the First Welland Canal are noted in red ink and includes the old Harbour, old Lock 1, old towing path and the original bed of the Twelve Mile Creek. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks and businesses are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Lock Street and Colonel Clark's Cattle Road), Alex Muir's Dry Dock, RandJ Laurie Flouring Mill, R. Laurie and Company Grist Mill, A. Morrison Saw Mill, Johnson's Tavern, a store and a church. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 1 Lots 21 and 22, John Christie, John Clark, N. Pawling, William Pawling, W. Carter, G.A. Clark, J. Maven, Mrs. Wood, James Drabble and J. Woodall.

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 2 - Lock 1 and Port Dalhousie

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the areas in and around Port Dalhousie and Grantham Township. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Lock 1, East and West Piers, Collector's Office, Lock Tender's House and the new towing path. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks and businesses are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Road to St. Catharines, Side Line, Old Road to Port Dalhousie, Road to Niagara), the Welland Railway and its structures (ex. freight sheds, wood shed, raised platform, elevator, cranes, water tank, turn table, and passenger station), G. A. Clark's Wood Yard, Clark's Wood Office, Alex Muir's Dry Dock, Donald, Andrews and Ross' Dry Dock, RandJ Laurie Flouring Mill, R. Laurie and Company Grist Mill and A. Morrison Saw Mill. A New Road to St. Catharines is featured in red ink. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 1 Lots 19, 20 and 21, John Christie, and John Clark.

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 1, Survey Map 9 - Lock 2 in Grantham Township

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing a portion of the Grantham Township sometimes referred to as the Welland Vale. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Lock 2, several weirs, and the Lock Tender's House. 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 Old Canal itself. Local area landmarks and businesses are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Side Line and Old Road to Port Dalhousie), J. C. Clark's Ice House, J. L. Ranney Store House, a burnt mill, barrel shed, a building leased to Michael Kerrins, and a number of unidentified structures (possibly houses or cabins) belonging to D. Cain, R. Cain, W. Weaver and W. Huddy. A New Road to St. Catharines is featured in red ink. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 5 Lots 20, 21 and 22, Concession 6 Lots 20 and 21, Thomas Adams, John Gould, George Rykert, Theophilus Mack, William H. Merritt, J. L. Ranney, and the Board of Works.

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 11 - St. Catharines and Locks 3 and 4

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the Town of St. Catharines. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Lock 3 and its Lock House, Lock 4 and its Lock House, Hydraulic Race, and a floating tow 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. Geneva Street, Ontario Street, St. Paul Street, and Merritville Road), Lincoln Mills and its Store House, T. M. Merritt's Store House, Cooper Shop, L. Shickluna's Dry Dock, Peter McGill's Grist Mill, J. Flint's Saw Factory, T. Hosteter's Gristing Mill, J. Dougan Builder's shop or office, Norris and Nelson Mill, G. N. Oil Foundry and its Machine Shop and Boiler, a barrel shed, woolen factory, Estate of P. Nihen (or T. Nihan), Norris and Nelson's Wharf, the W. C. Office, and structures (possibly houses) or small properties belonging to T. Adams, and A. K. Boomer. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 6 Lots 16, 17, and 18, Concession 7 Lots 16, 17, and 18, Alva Dittrick, James R. Benson, W. B. Robinson, and C. Phelps.

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 12 - St. Catharines and Lock 4

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the Town of St. Catharines. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Lock 4, Hydraulic Race, floating tow path, and the Canal 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 streets and roads (ex. Geneva Street, St. Paul Street, Queenston Street, Niagara Street and Mill Street), C. Phelp's Grist Mill and Store House, Stinson's Distillery, and several unnamed bridges. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 6 Lot 16, J. R. Benson, Calvin Phelps, J. Hudson, David Gray, A. Roberts, Mrs. McDonell, J. S. McDonell, T. B. Wragg, J. Donaldson, W. Barr Jr., C. L. Hall, G. Ward, Ridout Bros and Co., and the St. Catharines Grass Co.

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 13 - St. Catharines and Locks 4 and 5

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the Town of St. Catharines. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Lock 4, Lock House, Lock 5, Small Lock House, the towing path, and Gasometer for 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. Geneva Street, Queenston Street, and Academy Street), C. Phelps Mill and Store House, St. Catharines and Welland Canal Gas Works, William Mahony's Tannery, Cooper Shop, a barrel shed, barn, and gas tanks. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 6 Lots 14, 14, and 16, Concession 7 Lots 14, 15, and 16, C. Phelps, R. M. Clement, Orson Phelps, R. Collier, D. P. Haynes, W. Chace, and John Soper.

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 14 - St. Catharines and Lock 5

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the Canal along the eastern edge of the Town of St. Catharines. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Lock 5 and 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 bridges, streets, and roads (ex. Queenston Street, St. Catharines Macdamized Road and Suspension Bridge), a Pond, a number of unnamed bridges, Stinson's Distillery, and R. Collier's Saw Mill. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 6 Lots 14 and 15, R. Collier, W. Gillespie, Orson Phelps, W. Chase, M. Bryant, John Soper, Winsor Chace, John Berryman, John Boyle, J. Madigan, B. F. Reynolds, W. Smaill, F. Stinson, G. Ward and Mrs. Soper.

Second Welland Canal - Book 2, Survey Map 1 - Locks 5, 6 and 7 in Grantham

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the Grantham Township just southeast of the Town of St. Catharines. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Locks 5, 6, and 7, two Lock House Lots, Small Lock House, waste weir, and 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 roads (ex. Road to Thorold), Dicks Creek, R. Collier's Saw Mill, a gate yard, paper mill, grist mill, store house, and a barn. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 7 Lots 13, 14, and 15, R. Collier, Orson Phelps, and a Mill Lot leased to Richard Collier.

Second Welland Canal - Book 2, Survey Map 2 - Locks 9 and 10 in Grantham

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the Grantham Township between the Town of St. Catharines and Merritton. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Locks 9 and 10, waste weirs, the towing path, a 2nd towing path, and the Canal 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 (ex. Road to Centreville), hydraulic race, and the Centreville Mill. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 8 Lots 12 and 12, Lewis Traver, Richard Ash, John Bradley, Owen Clifford, Orson Phelps, C. Bradley, the W. C. Loan Company, and T. Towers Mill Lot.

Second Welland Canal - Book 2, Survey Map 3 - Locks 8, 9 and 10 in Grantham

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the Grantham Township between the Town of St. Catharines and Merritton. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Locks 8, 9, and 10, waste weirs, the towing path, and several floating bridges. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Several stones and tree stumps likely used in the measurements are identified on the map. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads(ex. Macadamized Road to Thorold), J. Hamilton's Hotel, a school house, McCoy's Farm House, Bradley's House, O. Phelps Saw Mill, Disher and Hait's Woolen Mill, Centreville Mills, a bridge, several barns, and a number of structures (possibly houses, cabins, or shops) belonging to: P. McCoy, E. McLachlan, T. Wilson, W. Wilson, M. Bradley, S. Bradley, P. Boyle, J. Bradley, E. Grant, and W. Church. Lock 12 and 15 of the original canal are also identified. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 8 Lots 12, 13 and 14, O. J. Phelps, P. McCoy, A. Bradley, C. Bradley, T. Reed, O. Clifford, J. Bradley, W. C. Loan Company, Duffin, and T. Towers Mill Lot.

Second Welland Canal - Book 2, Survey Map 4 - Locks 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 in Grantham

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the Grantham Township along the outskirts of Merritton. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Locks 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, Lock House Lot, and the towing path. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Several stones likely used in the measurements are identified on the map. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads(ex. Hartzel Road and Macadamized Road), the Great Western Railroad, Swing Bridge, Thorold Station and its structures (ex. freight house, office, water tank, and wood house), Gordon and Mackay Houses, Gordon and Mackay's Cotton Mill, hydraulic race, a wharf, pond, and an unnamed bridge. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 9 Lots 12 and 13, A. Bradley, John O'Coner, G. Grant, J. Bradley, J. Vanderburgh, O. Clifford and a parcel of land leased Gordon and Mackay.

Second Welland Canal - Book 2, Survey Map 5 - Locks 16, 17 and 18 in Grantham

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the Grantham Township at Merritton. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Locks 15, 16, 17, and 18, and 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. Hartzel Road and Macadamized Road), Lybster Cotton Mill, St. Catharines Paper Mill, J. Brown Cotton Mills, hydraulic race, a pond, several barns, and a number of structures (likely houses or cabins) belonging to: J. McNamara, M. Moran, A. Delany, T. Joyce, J. Delany, C. Blake, F. Weaver, W. Leeson, and Mrs. Aikins. Properties of note are: Concession 10 Lots 11 and 12. A number of reserved properties exist and are outlined in blue. They include three reserved properties for lock lots, and one large property reserved for a quarry.