St. Catharines Standard photographers eagerly documented the filming of the now cult-classic A Christmas Story while the classroom and school yard scenes were being filmed at Victoria Public School in St. Catharines. The infamous flag pole scene was filmed in the school yard but the flag pole in question was a prop installed for the movie.

Local students were featured as extras in these scenes and several local car collectors answered the call to provide and drive their historic cars through this establishing shot.

Local Celebrities

The filming of A Christmas Story caught the attention of the whole city and the St. Catharines Standard captured many photographs behind-the-scenes. Below is just a small sample of some of the photographs. Search ‘A Christmas Story’ on the Museum collection’s virtual portal for more.

There’s More to the Story

Check out the entire History InSite installation across Merritton, downtown St. Catharines and in Port Dalhousie.

About History InSite

A permanent, site specific installation, History InSite juxtaposes historical photographs with modern streetscapes by presenting the photo in, or close to, the place which it was taken.

St. Catharines has a rich photographic history and when compared to the changing streetscapes around the City, that history becomes much more meaningful, poignant, and relevant to our modern eyes.

The Downtown series was installed in July 2021. The Port Dalhousie series was installed in May 2022. The Merritton series was installed in May 2023.

History InSite is presented by the St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre.

Graffiti Report

If you spot any graffiti on our purple History InSite signs, please send us a message.