St. Catharines

St. Catharines is the largest city in the Niagara region, located in South-Central Ontario. It is in the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. St. Catharines is also known as the “Garden City” due to its abundant parks, gardens, wineries, and trails. The area contains Lakeside Park Beach, Woodend Conservation Area, Lester B. Pearson Park, and many other natural escapes. It is a popular destination for its arts and culture, with many art galleries, theatres, and music venues in the area, along with its close proximity to New York City (less than 726 km away). At the end of the 18th century, the region was settled by United Empire Loyalists. Not long after, the War of 1812 caused a significant amount of destruction along the Niagara Frontier. Towards the end of the 1800s, St. Catharines obtained city status and later saw a massive manufacturing increase with its abundant hydro-electric power source. This industrialization brought further urbanization of the city and a significant increase in population size.