Feature Photo Courtesy of Ami Holmes Photograthy
Merritton is a distinct community in St. Catharines. It was named after William Hamilton Merritt, a prominent local entrepreneur and founder of the Welland Canal Company. Until 1858, Merritton was named Welland City, but exchanged names that year with Merrittsville (Today’s Welland City), when that town became the “seat” of Welland county.
HISTORY
Prior to amalgamation in 1960 which saw the original city of St. Catharines absorb several satellite towns, Merritton was a separate entity. To this day, residents maintain a sense of distinct community identity. The original town hall, on Merritt St., once the City of St. Catharines Museum, is now home to the St. Catharines Senior’s Centre.
Merritton retains a small yet impressive number of heritage sites. Among them are the Merritton Tunnel (under the third Welland Canal), remnants of the three previous Welland Canals and several early industrial ruins, and The Keg restaurant, which is housed in the former Independent Rubber Company / Merritton Cotton Mills Annex. The Stone Mill Inn and Ballroom, Johnny Rocco’s Italian Grill, and several other businesses are housed in the old Lybster Mill building which was built in 1860.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Garden City Municipal Golf Course
Garden City Golf Course is a par-60 executive course located at 37 Lincoln Ave. The course is owned and operated by the City of St. Catharines and features a licensed clubhouse and patio, putting and chipping green and practice driving cages.
Blue Ghost Tunnel
Abandoned for over a century, this chilling train tunnel is now a destination for ghost hunters. This railway tunnel off of Seaway Haulage Road was built approximately 140 years ago and closed just over a century ago. The now abandoned tunnel runs under what used to be the original Welland Canal for well over 500 feet, decreasing in height as you head east before ending in a silt-filled wetland.
Although there are claims the tunnel is haunted, the ghostly feeling is probably caused by the eerie dripping sounds and the visible fog of your breath, as the dark deserted tunnel is quite cold even in the heat of summer.
Merritton Lions Club
Merritton has developed a significant system of community organizations, including the Merritton Lions, who oversee the Community Days Parade (formerly known as the Labour Day parade) and Carnival, the Dunc Schooley Memorial Pool, and several other sports and recreation facilities. It is also home to three of St. Catharines’ arenas, and a Community Centre.
REAL ESTATE
As of August 2021 average sale price of a residential home in Secord Woods/Merriton is $575,031. In comparison to St Catharines as a whole at $644,148 and all Niagara at $675,437, Merritton is still perceived as very affordable. A healthy mix of older century homes and newly developed infills near the canal and Merritt street allows for a broad community profile.
Five public schools can be found in the area, as well as shopping, groceries, restaurants, the Pen Centre, and easy access to both the QEW and 406.
What makes this area special is the unassuming amount of comradery you’ll find in the community. Folks that live in Merritton, stay in Merritton. And those that leave, will always take a piece of this community with them.
