The architect of Massey Hall in Toronto, Sidney Rose Badgley was born in 1850 in Ernest Township, Ontario near Kingston. As a young boy however, the family moved to St. Catharines. Badgley attended Grantham Academy on Church Street, a building that still stands today and is home to Bridges Niagara.
History from Here: Former Merritton Town Hall
Before 1961, Merritton was an independent municipality, separate from St. Catharines. Merritton developed around the Welland Canal’s most aggressive escarpment […]
History from Here: 7-9 Queen Street
Before the era of suburbanization, the automobile, and economic globalization, people’s worlds were much smaller. In St. Catharines, if you […]
History from Here: Power Glen
Unique geography has attracted engineering minds to the southwestern portion of what is now St. Catharines since the early days […]
History from Here: Burgoyne House at 15 Trafalgar Street
From town founders to politicians, from community to carpentry, and from brewers to Burgoynes, this classically designed brick home near […]
The 2022 Guided Spirit Walks Roar into the 1920s
As part of the Guided Spirit Walks creative team, I can tell you that our historical interests span widely, and we are always imagining up new ways to bring the stories of those buried in Victoria Lawn Cemetery to our audiences. This year, we present Roaring into the ‘20s: A New Chapter for our City and invite you into the stories of those who lived through the tumultuous period of 1920s St. Catharines. We might imagine the Roaring Twenties as a risqué period of flappers, jazz, and prohibition, and while these were dramatic parts of the era, the 1920s can be characterized by even more dramatic shifting social norms, economic and political turbulence, and rapid technological innovations. Some embraced these drastic changes as a signal of a better future, while others were apprehensive.
History from Here: St. Catharines City Hall
Built in the midst of the Great Depression. Designed for a hopeful future of an ever-growing city. St. Catharines City Hall is a symbol of civic pride, modernism, and progress. Watch to learn the fascinating history of this municipal building.
History from Here: Glen Ridge School
Built to meet the needs of the families moving to one of St. Catharines’ earliest residential suburbs. Designed in cohesion with the architectural features so characteristic to its neighbourhood. A lasting symbol of what can be achieved when a community works together. From its very beginning, Glen Ridge School and its surrounding greenspace have served its community as a place for learning, play, gathering, and identity.
On this episode of History from Here, Public Programmer Sara Nixon takes you to the former Glen Ridge School building at 101 South Drive in St. Catharines, Ontario.
History from Here: The Welland House Hotel at 30 Ontario Street
This episode of History from Here brings you to the site of the Welland House Hotel, destroyed by a devastating fire in July 2021.
Lego Challenge: Built Heritage Edition – Public Weigh Scales
We LOVE to build with Lego and now YOU can build along with us at home! Each week, Adrian will challenge you to build a different historic structure in St. Catharines using Lego and the photos we post as a template.
Follow along with Adrian’s daily updates and post your progress with #StCLegoChallenge! We can’t wait to see your Lego creations!
One Hour in the Past E104 – The Arts & Crafts Movement
On this episode…
Kathleen and Adrian jump into the world of the styles and forms of Arts & Crafts architecture, design, decor, and explore a little into the lives of the founders of the movement. They end this episode with a discussion about great examples of Arts & Crafts architecture in St. Catharines.
Ask Alicia – Port Dalhousie Jail
Alicia, Can you share some information with me on the little jail in Port Dalhousie? Thanks, M.B. The Port Dalhousie […]
Ask Alicia – Lake Street Armouries
Hi Alicia, Do you have a history of the Lake Street Armouries? Mike Dear Mike, Before the armouries […]
Ask Alicia – Haunting in St. Catharines?
Hi Alicia, I hope you are well. As Halloween is fast approaching, I thought I’d suggest an idea for a […]
aMUSE: Lost Architecture
The Last aMUSE of 2016 Our final aMUSE pop-up exhibition of 2016 focused on the lost and remaining 19th century […]
Ask Alicia – Buchanan Hall
Alicia, Just wondering if you have any history on the Buchanan house? I would find that super interesting. Thanks, Nancy […]
Ask Alicia – 321 St. Paul Street
Dear Alicia, The building at 321 St. Paul Street is so beautiful and unique. It really stands out but I […]
