Photographs of secretarial staff at Lightning Fastener, ca. 1935

Lightning Fastener Co. Ltd. was a zipper manufacturer located on Niagara Street in St. Catharines. It was founded by Gideon Sundback, the inventor of the modern fastener. Sundback was born in Sweden, but settled in the United States in 1905. It was here that he designed and patented a “separable fastener” in 1913. Although he lived in Hoboken, New Jersey, he decided to establish a manufacturing facility for his invention in Canada, choosing St. Catharines over other locations such as Fort Erie and Hamilton. At the height of its success, the company employed more than 500 people and produced more than 50 million zippers annually. Over time, the company had difficulty remaining competitive and was forced to close in 1981.

William Hamilton Merritt Welland Canal circular, July 12, 1823

William Hamilton Merritt (1793-1862) was a soldier, merchant, and politician who was instrumental in the promotion and development of the Welland Canal. After serving with the Lincoln militia during the War of 1812, Merritt became a merchant in St. Catharines, and purchased some land on Twelve Mile Creek on which he ran a sawmill and constructed a grist mill. He initially envisioned a canal between the Welland River and Twelve Mile Creek, which evolved into a plan to link Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. This would enable goods from western Canada to be conveniently shipped to Montreal and Great Britain through the St. Lawrence, while bypassing the Niagara portage. His plan met with opposition for financial and political reasons, as well as from those along the Niagara portage whose businesses would suffer if the canal were built. Despite this opposition, the Welland Canal Company was chartered by the Upper Canadian assembly in January, 1824. Construction on the canal began later that year, and was completed in 1829.

Ontario Winter Games records, 1984-1985.

The Ontario Winter Games began in 1970. This four day sporting event features amateur athletes from across the province, with the majority of the athletes being between the ages of 14-18. The event is held every two years and averages 3,500 participants, including athletes, coaches and officials. It provides an opportunity for young athletes to showcase and develop their skills, often preparing them for sports competitions at the national and international level. The 1985 Ontario Winter Games were held in St. Catharines, Ontario, from March 14-17.

Retired Women Teachers of Ontario—St. Catharines branch fonds, 1970-2013.

The Retired Women Teachers of Ontario (RWTO) was founded in Toronto by a small group of retired women teachers known as the Rendezvous Club. This group brought together several branches in 1956 to form the Ontario Association of Superannuated Teachers (OAWST), which was changed to the RWTO in 1999. The group was initially formed in order to provide retired women teachers with the same pension that was received by their male colleagues. The group came to the realization that they would have a better chance of success if they had a larger group of supporters. As a result, new branches were formed throughout Ontario. In 1967, the government concurred that the pension should be raised, and the minimum pension level was increased to $1200 a year. The following year the Retired Teachers of Ontario was formed, representing both male and female retired teachers. This new group was now responsible for communicating and negotiating with the government concerning pension matters. However, the RWTO continued to exist with a focus on the special interests and well-being of retired women teachers. There are currently 53 branches throughout Ontario.

Copyright in the Stacks: The Chilling Effects of Unclear Copyright Interpretations in the Canadian Academic Library

Presented at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Political Science Association, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, May 27, 2014

The Book of Common Prayer Canada

The book of Common Prayer Canada is bound in soft leather. This book contains 2 book plates from St. George's Church, St. Catharines. The first one says that Margaret Julia Band was confirmed April 17, 1935 and had her first communion April 21, 1935. The second one says that Percy Caruthers Band was confirmed April 8, 1936 and received first communion April 12, 1936. There is also an inscription which reads "To Margaret from her mother, April the 21st, 1935, St. Catharines. The full text is available in the Brock University Special Collections and Archives.

Certificate of Baptism - Robert DeVeaux Woodruff

Certificate of Baptism for Robert DeVeaux Woodruff, the child of Percy Carruthers and Margaret Julia Band who was baptized at St. George's Church, St. Catharines, June 14, 1935. The sponsors are listed: Eleanor Gooderham White, Welland DeVeaux Woodruff, and Thomas Rodman Merritt.

Certificate of Baptism - Margaret Elizabeth Woodruff

Certificate of Baptism for Margaret Elizabeth Woodruff, the child of Percy Carruthers and Margaret Julia Band who was baptized at St. George's Church, St. Catharines, June 14, 1935. The sponsors listed are: Maude Band Mabee, Alice Eaton, and Clifford Scott Howard.

Certificate of Baptism - Percy Carruthers

Certificate of Baptism for Percy Carruthers, the son of Charles and Jessie Band who was baptized at St. George's Church, St. Catharines, April 5, 1936. There are no sponsors listed, it simply reads "adult".

Letters of Administration - Estate of Isabel Woodruff

Letters of Administration dated March 29, 1902 in the estate of Isabel Woodruff instrument no. 2344. This is accompanied by a letter stating the validity of these papers (2 copies of the letter of validity), April 16, 1902.

Indenture between Henry Mittleberger and Cadwallader Griffith Pelton

Indenture between Henry Mittleberger of St. Catharines and Cadwallader Griffith Pelton of St. Catharines for the sale of part of Lot no. 18 in the 6th Concession in the Township of Grantham - Instrument no. 11.013. May 6, 1836.

Indenture between Chauncey Beadle and William Woodruff

Indenture between Chauncey Beadle of St. Catharines and William Woodruff of St. Davids concerning the sale of land in Lot no. 18 in the 6th Concession in the Township of Grantham - instrument no. 517, May 30, 1837.

Indenture between Orson Phelps and Calista M. Phelps and Owen Clifford

Indenture of bargain and sale between Orson Phelps formerly of St. Catharines, but at the time of the transaction, was living in Buffalo, New York and Calista M. Phelps (his wife) and Owen Clifford of Grantham for lots numbered 12 and 13 in the 8th Concession in Grantham Township. The instrument no. is 3411, July 11, 1851.

Indenture between Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff and Jane Woodruff to Patrick Burns

Indenture of bargain and sale between Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff and Jane Woodruff of St. Catharines to Patrick Burns of the Township of Grantham regarding part of Lot no. 23 in the 5th Concession in the Township of Grantham - instrument no. 14819. This is listed in Book E, folio 338. October 3, 1864.

Indenture between Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff and Jane Woodruff to Daniel McCarthy

Indenture of bargain and sale between Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff and Jane Woodruff of St. Catharines to Daniel McCarthy of the Township of Grantham regarding 4 1/2 acres of part of Lot no. 23 in the 5th Concession in the Town of Grantham - instrument no. 14821. Listed in Book E, folio 341, October 3, 1864.