Thorold
{{Short description|City in Ontario, Canada}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Thorold
| official_name = City of Thorold
| nickname =
| settlement_type = City (lower-tier)
| motto =
| image_skyline = Quebec Bank - Thorold, ON.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Downtown Thorold in 2023
| image_flag = Thoroldflag.png
| flag_size = 120x100px
| image_seal = Logo of Thorold, Ontario.svg
| seal_size = 130px
| image_blank_emblem =
| image_shield =
| shield_size =
| image_map = Thorold-niagara.png
| mapsize = 200px
| map_caption = Location of Thorold in the Niagara Region
| pushpin_map = Canada Southern Ontario
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in southern Ontario
| coordinates = {{coord|43|07|N|79|12|W|region:CA-ON|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_type2 = Region
| subdivision_name = Canada
| subdivision_name1 = Ontario
| subdivision_name2 = Niagara
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_title1 = Governing body
| leader_title2 = MP
| leader_title3 = MPP
| leader_name = Terry Ugulini
| leader_name1 = Thorold City Council
| leader_name2 = Fred Davies
| leader_name3 = Jeff Burch
| established_title = Incorporated
| established_title2 =
| established_title3 =
| established_date = 1850 (village)
| established_date2 = 1870 (town)
| established_date3 = 1975 (city)
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_land_km2 = 83.29
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_urban_km2 =
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=st%20catharines&DGUIDlist=2021A00053526053&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |title=St. Catharines, Ontario census profile |publisher=Statistics Canada|website=2021 Census |access-date=7 September 2021 }}
| population_total = 23,816
| population_urban =
| population_density_km2 = 285.9
| timezone = Eastern (EST)
| utc_offset = -5
| timezone_DST = EDT
| utc_offset_DST = -4
| elevation_m = 162
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = L2V, L2T, L0S
| area_code = 905, 289, 365, and 742
| website = [http://www.thorold.ca/ www.thorold.ca]
| footnotes =
}}
Thorold is a city in Ontario, Canada, located on the Niagara Escarpment. It is also the seat of the Regional Municipality of Niagara. The Welland Canal passes through the city, featuring lock 7 and the Twin Flight Locks.
History
The first survey of Thorold, or Township 9 as it was known then, occurred in 1788. The earliest communities in what is now Thorold emerged at Beaverdams, DeCew Falls and St. Johns.{{Cite web |url=http://www.thorold.com/content/history |title=History |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116004440/http://www.thorold.com/content/history |archive-date=January 16, 2018 |url-status=live }} In 1846, the community had a population of about 1,000 and there were three churches or chapels and a post office. Various types of tradesmen worked here. Industry included two grist mills, a cement mill, a brewery and three wagon makers. There were seven taverns.{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Wm. H. |date=1846 |title=Smith's Canadian Gazetteer - Statistical and General Information Respecting all parts of The Upper Province, or Canada West |url=https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit |location=Toronto |publisher=H. & W. Rowsell |page=[https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit/page/191 191] |access-date=2018-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403155457/https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit |archive-date=2016-04-03 |url-status=live }} Thorold, located on the brow of the Niagara Escarpment, soon became dominant and was incorporated as a village in 1850. Its formation was linked to the creation of the First Welland Canal.{{cite web |title=Canals |url=https://www.thorold.ca/en/recreation-and-culture/canals.aspx#Welland-Canal-1- |website=City of Thorold |access-date=28 July 2024}} The village experienced population growth as the canal became more developed. In 1875, Thorold became a town.{{cite web |last1=Gayler |first1=Hugh |title=Thorold |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/thorold |website=The Canadian Encyclopedia |access-date=28 July 2024}}
When the Regional Municipality of Niagara was formed in 1970, the Town of Thorold expanded to include the former Thorold Township. In 1975, the town became incorporated as the City of Thorold.{{cite web |last1=Gayler |first1=Hugh |title=Thorold |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/thorold |website=The Canadian Encyclopedia |access-date=22 May 2021}}
Thorold is also the location of the War of 1812 battle site, Beaverdams, where, on June 25, 1813, Colonel Charles Boerstler and his American troops were defeated by the British regulars and Caughnawaga Mohawks.{{cite book |last1=Collins |first1=Gilbert |title=Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 |date=2006 |publisher=Dundern Press |isbn=9781550029147 |page=155 |edition=2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wq1D5wAjRwMC |access-date=3 August 2022}}
The 2021 Canadian census identified Thorold as the eighth-fastest growing municipality in Canada.{{cite web |last1=Drevfjall |first1=Ludvig |title=Welcome to Thorold—Population: 23,816 |url=https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-news/welcome-to-thorold-population-23816-5050760 |website=Thorold Today |access-date=28 July 2024}}
Demographics
{{stack|{{Historical populations
|title = Historical populations
|type = Canada
|align = right
|width =
|state =
|shading =
|percentages =
|footnote =
|1841|1000
|1871|1635
|1901|1979
|1911|2273
|1921|4825
|1931|5092
|1941|5284
|1951|6397
|1961|8633
|1971|15065
|1981|15412
|1991|17542
|1996|17883
|2001|18048
|2006|18224
|2011|17931
|2016|18801
|2021|23816
}}}}
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Thorold had a population of {{val|23816|fmt=commas}} living in {{val|9095|fmt=commas}} of its {{val|9856|fmt=commas}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:23816-18801}}|18801|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|18801|fmt=commas}}. With a land area of {{convert|83.29|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|23816|83.29|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000203&geocode=A000235 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Ontario | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=March 27, 2022}}
Economy
Thorold's economy, like other municipalities in the Niagara Region, has benefitted from the Welland Canal.{{cite web |last1=Vallier |first1=Kevin |title=Welland Canal was a game changer |url=https://niagaraindependent.ca/welland-canal-was-a-game-changer/ |website=The Niagara Independent |access-date=30 July 2024}} An estimated 37 million tonnes of freight is handled and shipped there annually.{{cite web |last1=Gayler |first1=Hugh |last2=Jackson |first2=John |title=Welland Canal |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/welland-canal |website=The Canadian Encyclopedia |access-date=30 July 2024}}
Thorold South has several industrial and manufacturing businesses.{{cite web |last1=Lansbergen |first1=Bernard |title=The man hired to help Thorold's economy grow |url=https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-news/the-man-hired-to-help-thorolds-economy-grow-6367603 |website=Thorold Today |access-date=30 July 2024}}
Arts and culture
The Thorold Reed Band has been in operation since its formation in 1851. The band has performed every year, with the exception of 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario.{{cite web |last1=Hutton |first1=Richard |title=It's been a long and winding road for the Thorold Reed Band |url=https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-news/its-been-a-long-and-winding-road-for-the-thorold-reed-band-8908516 |website=Thorold Today |access-date=29 July 2024}} The Canal Bank Shuffle is an annual musical festival that takes place in Thorold. The event features blues music.{{cite web |title=Canal Bank Shuffle latest Covid-19 casualty |url=https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-news/canal-bank-shuffle-latest-covid-19-casualty-2567995 |website=Thorold Today |access-date=29 July 2024}}
In July 2024, downtown Thorold was used as a filming location for the eighteenth season of Murdoch Mysteries.{{cite web |last1=Tymczyszyn |first1=Bob |title=Photos: Thorold gets makeover for 'Murdoch Mysteries' filming |url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/entertainment/television/photos-thorold-gets-makeover-for-murdoch-mysteries-filming/article_6e5d3b75-d89b-5931-8460-404a6b1668a1.html |website=St. Catharines Standard |access-date=28 July 2024}} 11 scenes were filmed in the city.{{cite web |title='Murdoch Mysteries' to film in downtown Thorold |url=https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/niagara-region/murdoch-mysteries-to-film-in-downtown-thorold/article_930b7333-ccc5-5759-9c52-b0abd45b504d.html |website=Niagara This Week |access-date=28 July 2024}} Thorold was chosen due to its proximity to other filming locations and the lack of "contamination" in historical buildings. The setting being filmed for the series was Grimsby.{{cite web |last1=Hutton |first1=Richard |title=Making Murdoch: 'The biggest challenge is that it's not 1911' |url=https://www.pelhamtoday.ca/local-news/making-murdoch-the-biggest-challenge-is-that-its-1911-9257740 |website=Pelham Today |access-date=28 July 2024}}
Attractions
= Parks and trails =
Officially opened in 2002, the Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park is a 29-acre waterfront park located on Lake Gibson.{{Cite web |date=April 23, 2022 |title=Community Parks - City of Thorold |url=https://www.thorold.ca/en/recreation-and-culture/Community_Parks.aspx#Mel-Swart---Lake-Gibson-Conservation-Park |access-date=April 23, 2022 |website=City of Thorold}} The park is part of the Niagara Greenbelt.{{Cite web |title=Community Parks - City of Thorold |url=https://www.thorold.ca/en/recreation-and-culture/Community_Parks.aspx#Mel-Swart---Lake-Gibson-Conservation-Park |access-date=April 23, 2022 |website=City of Thorold}} The Short Hills Provincial Park is also partially located in the City of Thorold.{{cite web |title=Short Hills Provincial Park Management Plan |url=https://www.ontario.ca/page/short-hills-provincial-park-management-plan |website=Ontario.ca |access-date=28 July 2024}}
The Welland Canal Parkway Trail is a paved 42 km recreational path along the Welland Canal, from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.{{cite web |title=Trails |url=https://www.thorold.ca/en/recreation-and-culture/Trails.aspx |website=The City of Thorold |access-date=28 July 2024}}
=Historic sites=
There are multiple historic sites in Thorold. These include:
Sports
File:2022 Canada Games Park in Thorold, Ontario.jpg
The Thorold Blackhawks are a Junior 'B' hockey team in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. In 2023, the team permanently moved to Port Colborne from Thorold.{{cite web |last1=Lansbergen |first1=Bernard |title=Why the Blackhawks decided to leave Thorold for good |url=https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-sports/why-the-blackhawks-decided-to-leave-thorold-for-good-6979543 |website=Thorold Today |access-date=29 July 2024}}
Thorold, along with other municipalities in the Niagara Region, hosted events for the 2022 Canada Summer Games. The Canada Games Park was built in Thorold for the event.{{cite web |last1=Rankin |first1=Christine |title=Niagara region gets $29M from feds for 2021 Canada Summer Games |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/canada-games-federal-funding-niagara-region-1.5271679 |website=CBC News |access-date=29 July 2024}} The facility cost 102.7 million dollars.{{cite web |last1=Lansbergen |first1=Bernard |title=City council closes door on Canada Games Park investigation |url=https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-news/city-council-closes-door-on-canada-games-park-investigation-7639427 |website=Thorold Today |access-date=29 July 2024}} In 2023, it was determined by a municipal lawyer that the city of Thorold did not own the arena and was instead one of three co-tenants leasing it from Brock University.{{cite web |last1=Lansbergen |first1=Bernard |title=City Council still debating 'crappy' Canada Games Park deal |url=https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-news/city-council-still-debating-crappy-canada-games-park-deal-7734304 |website=Thorold Today |access-date=29 July 2024}}
Infrastructure
In 2015, the Ontario government provided money to Thorold under the Small Communities Fund.{{cite web |title=Ontario Funding Infrastructure in Thorold |url=https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/33796/ontario-funding-infrastructure-in-thorold |website=Ontario.ca |access-date=30 July 2024}} The city used the 4.6 million dollars in funding to start building an affordable housing complex for seniors. 14.8 million dollars through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund was also used for the project.{{cite web |last1=Lansbergen |first1=Bernard |title=Local politicians break ground on affordable housing for seniors |url=https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-news/local-politicians-break-ground-on-affordable-housing-for-seniors-7379677 |website=Thorold Today |access-date=30 July 2024}}
= Transportation =
File:Thorold Tunnel under Welland Canal in Thorold, Ontario.jpg
The Thorold Tunnel is an underwater vehicular tunnel, built between 1965 and 1967, which allows Highway 58 to cross the Welland Canal without interrupting shipping. Approximately 24,300 vehicles pass through the tunnel daily.{{cite web |last1=Gannon |first1=Dennis |title=Yesterday and Today: The Thorold Tunnel turns 50 |url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/nd/life/2018/09/14/yesterday-and-today-the-thorold-tunnel-turns-50.html |website=St. Catharines Standard |access-date=3 August 2022}}
= Niagara Detention Centre =
Thorold is home to the Niagara Detention Centre, a 260-person capacity maximum-security prison. It generally serves people on remand, offenders sentenced to short terms (60 days or less), and offenders awaiting transfer to larger federal or provincial facilities.{{cite web |title=Niagara Detention Centre |url=http://niagara.cioc.ca/record/NIA0249 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729055832/http://niagara.cioc.ca/record/NIA0249 |website=Niagara Community Information Database|archive-date=July 29, 2012 }}
Education
Thorold Secondary School is the only high school in the city. In 2012, District School Board of Niagara trustees voted on whether to close the school and decided to keep it open.{{cite web |title=Keeping Thorold high school 'logical' choice |url=https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/keeping-thorold-high-school-logical-choice/article_6955343e-4282-57b9-aca3-ceb33c7f3408.html |website=Niagara This Week |access-date=28 July 2024}} Thorold is close in proximity to Brock University and therefore has a large student population.{{cite web |last1=Camlasaran |first1=Megan |title=Why people are flocking to Thorold |url=https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-news/why-people-are-flocking-to-thorold-7509444 |website=Thorold Today |access-date=28 July 2024}} In 2021, four students were arrested after a large street party took place in the city.{{cite web |last1=Lansbergen |first1=Bernard |last2=Drevfjall |first2=Ludvig |title=Rowdy party weekend in Juneberry-area of Thorold leads to 4 arrests and furious neighbours |url=https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-news/rowdy-party-weekend-in-juneberry-area-of-thorold-leads-to-4-arrests-and-furious-neighbours-4329297 |website=Thorold Today |access-date=28 July 2024}}
Notable people
- Owen Nolan, professional hockey player{{cite web |last1=Blay |first1=Jeff |title=Owen Nolan to be inducted into Thorold's Runway of Recognition |url=https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/news/niagara-region/2013/11/07/owen-nolan-to-be-inducted-into-thorold-s-runway-of-recognition.html |website=Niagara Falls Review |access-date=3 August 2022}}
- Joey Martin (ice hockey), professional hockey player{{cite web |last1=Lansbergen |first1=Bernard |title=Thorold hockey star enjoying shift to new career |url=https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-news/thorold-hockey-star-enjoying-shift-to-new-career-5015320 |website=ThoroldToday |access-date=3 August 2022}}
- Sean Bentivoglio, professional hockey player
- Conor Timmins, professional hockey player{{cite web |last1=Liddycoat |first1=Bob |title=NHL dream come true for Timmins |url=https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-news/nhl-dream-come-true-for-timmins-1732136 |website=ThoroldToday |access-date=3 August 2022}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{official|http://www.thorold.com}}
{{Geographic location|
North=St. Catharines|
Northeast=Niagara-on-the-Lake|
West=Pelham|
Center=Thorold|
East=Niagara Falls|
South=Welland
}}
{{RegionalNiagara}}
{{Welland Canal}}
{{Authority control}}