Our History

The very early history of St. Catharines was influenced by events that happened a considerable distance away from the city. In 1783, the treaty of Paris ended the American Revolutionary War. The treaty acknowledged the independence of the United States of America and an international boundary was set. Many British supporters (loyalists), living south of this boundary, preferred to stay British subjects, so they migrated northward. The British government encouraged this and offered free fertile land to all Loyalists who chose to settle in Canada. A large amount of this land was in the Niagara Peninsula, so many came to this area. The first men known to have taken up land within the limits of what is now St. Catharines were John Hainer and Jacob Dittrick about 1790.

Over the years, the name of the community changed several times and was, in the early 1800's, known as "Shipman's Corners". Paul Shipman's tavern was an important stagecoach transfer point as well as the hub of the community's social life. "The Twelve" was another name used, referring to the Twelve Mile Creek. However, the name St. Catharines, in one form, or another had preceded all other names, though its origin is obscure.

With a population of almost 130,000, St. Catharines has now become the dominant centre of the Niagara Peninsula. Although the city has grown commercially and industrially, it has not abandoned its agricultural roots. The Niagara Escarpment provides a natural shelter for soils that are particularly conducive to fruit growing. These two factors, plus a climate favorable to fruit production, have led the development of the fruitlands to such an extent that they are one of the most productive agricultural areas, not only in Ontario and Canada, but in the world.