Thorold Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Thorold

City (lower-tier)

City of Thorold

Downtown Thorold in 2023

Flag

Seal

Location of Thorold in the Niagara Region

Thorold

Location in Southern Ontario

Country

Canada

Province

Ontario

Region

Niagara

Incorporated

1850 (village)

1870 (town)

1975 (city)

Area

• Land

83.29 km² (32.16 sq mi)

Elevation

162 m (531 ft)

Population

(2021)

• Total

23,816

• Density

285.9/km² (740/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))

• Summer (DST)

UTC-4 (EDT)

Postal code

L2V, L2T, L0S

Area code(s)

905, 289, 365, and 742

Website

www.thorold.ca

Thorold is a city in Ontario, Canada. It sits on the Niagara Escarpment, a long slope of land. Thorold is also the main city for the Regional Municipality of Niagara. The famous Welland Canal goes right through the city. You can see Lock 7 and the Twin Flight Locks here.

Discover Thorold's History
People and Population
What Thorold Makes
Arts and Culture in Thorold
Fun Things to Do in Thorold
- Parks and Trails to Explore
- Historic Buildings and Sites
Sports in Thorold
Getting Around Thorold
Learning in Thorold
Notable People from Thorold
Images for kids
See also

Discover Thorold's History

The area that is now Thorold was first mapped in 1788. The earliest small communities were Beaverdams, DeCew Falls, and St. Johns. By 1846, about 1,000 people lived here. There were churches, a post office, and many different types of workers.

Thorold became a village in 1850. This happened because the First Welland Canal was being built nearby. As the canal grew, so did the village. In 1875, Thorold became a larger town.

In 1970, the Niagara Region was formed. Thorold's size grew to include the old Thorold Township. Then, in 1975, Thorold officially became a city.

Thorold is also known for a battle during the War of 1812. On June 25, 1813, American troops were defeated here. This happened at the Battle of Beaver Dams, thanks to British soldiers and Caughnawaga Mohawks.

In 2021, Thorold was one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada.

People and Population

Historical populations
Year	Pop.	±%
1841	1,000	—
1871	1,635	+63.5%
1901	1,979	+21.0%
1911	2,273	+14.9%
1921	4,825	+112.3%
1931	5,092	+5.5%
1941	5,284	+3.8%
1951	6,397	+21.1%
1961	8,633	+35.0%
1971	15,065	+74.5%
1981	15,412	+2.3%
1991	17,542	+13.8%
1996	17,883	+1.9%
2001	18,048	+0.9%
2006	18,224	+1.0%
2011	17,931	−1.6%
2016	18,801	+4.9%
2021	23,816	+26.7%

In 2021, the city of Thorold had a population of 23,816 people. This was a big jump from its population in 2016. Thorold covers a land area of about 83.29 km² (32.16 sq mi). This means there are about 285.9/km² (740/sq mi) people living in each square kilometer.

What Thorold Makes

A ship passing through Thorold

Thorold's economy is helped a lot by the Welland Canal. Each year, millions of tonnes of goods are moved through the canal. This helps businesses in Thorold and the whole Niagara Region.

Thorold South is home to many factories and industrial businesses. They make different products and help the local economy grow.

Arts and Culture in Thorold

The Thorold Reed Band has been playing music since 1851. They have performed almost every year since then. The Canal Bank Shuffle is a yearly music festival in Thorold. It features exciting blues music.

In July 2024, downtown Thorold was used for filming. The TV show Murdoch Mysteries filmed 11 scenes there. Thorold was chosen because its old buildings looked perfect for the show's historical setting.

Fun Things to Do in Thorold

Parks and Trails to Explore

The Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park opened in 2002. It's a 29-acre park right on Lake Gibson. This park is part of the Niagara Greenbelt, a protected natural area. Part of the Short Hills Provincial Park is also located in Thorold.

The Welland Canal Parkway Trail is a paved path for walking and biking. It's 42 km long and runs along the Welland Canal. You can follow it all the way from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.

Historic Buildings and Sites

Thorold has many interesting historic places to visit:

The DeCew House in 1925.
- The Decew House was the destination of Laura Secord's famous journey. She warned the British about an American attack during the War of 1812. Her warning helped the British win the Battle of Beaver Dams. Sadly, the house was destroyed by fire in 1950.
The Old Fire Hall at 12 Albert Street West.
- The Old Fire Hall was built in 1878. It was designed by architect John Latshaw. Today, this historic building is used as a design studio.
Thorold's Carnegie Library.
- Thorold's Carnegie Library opened in 1912. It served the community for many years before closing in 1983.
Chestnut Hall.
- Chestnut Hall is a historic building. It was once the home of John McDonagh, a mayor of Thorold. Later, it became the city hall. It is now connected to the Thorold Public Library.
The St. Johns Common School.
- The St. Johns Common School was the first free public school in Upper Canada. It was used until 1844. Today, this old cabin is still used for educational programs. It is the oldest public school building still standing in Ontario.
The Keefer Mansion, also known as Maplehurst.
- The Keefer Mansion is a large building with ten rooms and bathrooms. It is also called Maplehurst. The city owns it, and it has been rented out as an inn.
Welland Mills.
- Welland Mills was a flour mill. It was built by Jacob Keefer between 1846 and 1847.
The Beaverdams Church.
- The Beaverdams Church first opened its doors in 1832.

Sports in Thorold

The Canada Games Park in 2022

The Thorold Blackhawks were a Junior 'B' hockey team. They played in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. In 2023, the team moved permanently to Port Colborne.

Thorold helped host the 2022 Canada Summer Games. The Canada Games Park was built in Thorold for this big event. This large sports facility cost over 100 million dollars.

Getting Around Thorold

The Thorold Tunnel

The Thorold Tunnel is a special underwater tunnel. It was built between 1965 and 1967. This tunnel allows Highway 58 to go under the Welland Canal. This way, cars can cross without stopping ships. About 24,300 vehicles use the tunnel every day.

Learning in Thorold

Thorold Secondary School is the only high school in the city. In 2012, school board members voted to keep the school open. Thorold is also very close to Brock University. Because of this, many university students live in Thorold.