Buffalo, Brantford & Goderich Railway, County of Welland account book, 1853

The Buffalo and Brantford Railway Company was formed in 1850. The railway was renamed the Buffalo, Brantford & Goderich Railway in 1852 to reflect the plans to extend the line to Goderich. Financial problems led to a British group taking over the railway a few years later and the name was changed to the Buffalo & Lake Huron Railway. It was June 1858 before the line to Goderich was completed. Source: (http://brantford.library.on.ca/genealogy/railways.php#buffalo) March 8, 2010

Cemetery Committee Reports, Welland County, 1946

In 1946 the cemetery committee reported at least twice to the Welland County council. The reports included the state of cemeteries within the county boundaries and recommendations for grants to be made for their maintenance. The committee consisted of George F. Broadley, Chairman, and Herbert T. Guess, Irvin Edward Michener and Ellis P. Morningstar.

Welland County Records, 1961-1989

The origins of the Welland County Fair date back to the founding of the County of Welland in 1852. A provincial charter was issued in 1853 to create the Welland County Agricultural Society that was to operate the Fair. In 1970, the Welland County Fair became the Niagara Regional Exhibition, and the Society became known as the Niagara Regional Agriculture Society. The Society seeks to “encourage interest, promote improvements in and advance the standards of agriculture, domestic industry and rural life”. The Welland Festival of Arts was developed in 1986 in order to revitalize the town’s economy. An “outdoor art gallery” was created by painting murals on buildings that depicted the town’s heritage, a concept successfully adopted by the town of Chemainus, B.C. The first mural was completed in the summer of 1988, and by 1991 there were a total of 28 murals around the city. The endeavour proved successful: in the years that followed the creation of the Festival, two new hotels were constructed, a third was expanded, and there was an addition to the Seaway Mall to accommodate the increased tourist traffic. Optimist International is a non-profit organization that strives to “bring out the best in kids” . The first Canadian club was formed in Toronto in 1924. The Welland branch of the Optimist Club was founded in 1937. The first Welland County General Hospital opened in 1908. As the population increased, it became necessary to expand the existing facilities. Additions were made to the original structure with an East wing in 1930 and a children’s ward in 1931. However, in the 1950’s, the hospital was operating beyond optimum capacity and the need for a larger facility was clear. It was decided that a new hospital would be built, which opened in April 1960. The new hospital had 259 beds and 51 bassinets. Further additions were made in 1967 and 1978. The County of Welland was formed in 1850 when it was officially separated from Lincoln County, however, the two counties continued to operate together until 1856 when a new County building and jail for Welland County were completed. That same year, the first meeting of the Council of the Corporation of Welland County took place. The final meeting of the Council took place on December 18, 1969. The following year, the County of Welland merged with Lincoln County to form the Regional Municipality of Niagara. The Welland Mills in Thorold, Ont., was built in 1846-1847 by Jacob Keefer and is thought to have been one of the largest flour mills in Upper Canada. Ownership of the mill changed several times over the years and previous owners include the Howland family, the Hedley Shaw Milling Company and the Maple Leaf Milling Company. In 1986, the building received a heritage plaque from the Ontario Heritage Foundation, an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Recreation. At this time, the mill was no longer in operation and was being used for storage by Fraser, Inc. By 2006, the dilapidated building had been redeveloped into18 apartments and 2 floors of commercial space, while maintaining many heritage features. The building is currently known as the Welland Mills Centre.

Article of agreement between Alexander Cook, contractor of Humberstone and the Provisional Municipal Council of the county of Welland

Article of agreement between Alexander Cook, contractor of Humberstone and the Provisional Municipal Council of the county of Welland to construct and build the main drain through the marsh lands tract commencing in lot no. 27 in the 4th concession in the township of Humberstone in a southerly direction (6 pages, handwritten). This is signed by John Frazer, Provisional Warden, Dexter Deverardo and Alexander Cook. (2 copies), Dec. 30, 1854.

Extract from the minutes of a session of the Provisional Municipal Council of the County of Welland

Extract from the minutes of a session of the Provisional Municipal Council of the County of Welland held on Nov. 3rd, 1855. It was decided that the petition of Andrew Drew and others be laid over until the engineer could make a survey of the premises and report to the council. This was signed by Dexter Deverardo, 1855

Memo to the warden and councilors for the County of Welland in council assembled regarding the contract of Edward Henderson

Memo to the warden and councilors for the County of Welland in council assembled regarding the contract of Edward Henderson. The terms of the contract have not been exceeded. This note is not signed, n.d.

Letter to the warden and councilors for the County of Welland in council assembled regarding George Stanford

Letter to the warden and councilors for the County of Welland in council assembled regarding George Stanford. The extra work was authorized by “me”. This is signed, S.D. Woodruff, Dec. 30, 1856.

Notice from Dexter Deverardo regarding minutes of the meeting of the Municipal Council of the County of Welland

Notice from Dexter Deverardo regarding minutes of the meeting of the Municipal Council of the County of Welland that was held May 21, 1857. It was moved that the warden and clerk be requested to procure a plan of the marsh lands tract, May, 1857.

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Andrew Mains

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Andrew Mains, signed by S.D. Woodruff. Estimate no.7, Mar., 1856.

County of Welland estimate of work done on constructing a bridge across the tap drain at Marshville by Alexander Lattimer

County of Welland estimate of work done on constructing a bridge across the tap drain at Marshville by Alexander Lattimer, signed by S.D. Woodruff. Estimate no.1, June, 1856.

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Andrew Mains

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Andrew Mains, signed by S.D. Woodruff. Estimate no.8, July, 1856.

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Alexander Cook

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Alexander Cook, signed by S.D. Woodruff. Estimate no.13, Sept., 1856.

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on section no. 5 of the tap drain at Marshville by Andrew Mains

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on section no. 5 of the tap drain at Marshville by Andrew Mains, signed by S.D. Woodruff. Estimate no.1, Sept., 1856.

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on the main drain, and cleaning of fallen timber by Andrew Mains, signed by S.D. Woodruff

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on the main drain, and cleaning of fallen timber by Andrew Mains, signed by S.D. Woodruff. Estimate no.1, Oct., 1856.

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on sections 2 and 3 of the tap drain at Marshville by George Stanford

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on sections 2 and 3 of the tap drain at Marshville by George Stanford, signed by S.D. Woodruff. Estimate no.2, Oct., 1856.