1. HISTORICAL AND MARINE MUSEUM • 280 KING STREET

Built in 1869 by John Williams, of United Empire Loyalist stock, this frame house with its small window panes, slatted shutters, and pediments over the windows exhibits characteristics of Georgian Revival style Architecture. It was owned by John William's daughter, Arabella until her death in 1950, when the entire block of property was bequeathed to the city. In 1974, the house was restored and converted into the Historical and Marine Museum. Note should also be made of the carriage house, the 1820's log schoolhouse and the 1850's log home, both of Pennsylvania German heritage. A tea room is also found on the grounds, housed in a 1915 era structure.

2. SHICKLUNA GARAGE • 293 KING STREET

A National Heritage Site, designated by the federal government. One of the earliest remaining examples (it was built in 1925) of a building constructed specifically to service automobiles. Based on plans provided by the Imperial Oil Company, the building is a loose interpretation of California Mission style. In the 1800s the Shickluna family owned the largest shipyards on the Welland Canal. Louis Joseph Shickluna, the builder of the garage, started out as a carpenter at his father's shipyard in Port Colborne. When his bicycle shop on East Street was expropriated for the canal widening, LJ wisely chose to rebuild on the west side of the canal, and to cater exclusively to the growing automobile trade.

3. RAILWAY STATION • 265 KING STREET

Built in 1925 by the Canadian National Railway, this brick structure served as a passenger and freight station. It also served as the terminus of the Niagara, St. Catharines and Toronto Railway which operated a trolley line between Port Dalhousie and Port Colborne. Note the bellcast roof with the exposed rafters, creating a decorative eaves line.

4. LIFT BRIDGE

One of the few remaining working lift bridges on the Welland Canal. The vertical lift bridge was completed in 1929 and has a span of 200 feet and a clearance of 120 feet when in the raised position. Bridge 21 replaced a wooden swing bridge. The fittings for that old bridge are still visible on the cut stone walls of the old locks opposite the L.G. Carter store location. Bridge 20 (the railway bridge) which crossed at the still visible iron swing bridge, was demolished in 1997.

5. OLD WELLAND CANAL

Officially opened in 1932, the present waterway is the Lake Erie entrance to the Fourth Welland Canal. The previous three canals were completed in 1833, 1853 and 1887 respectively, and reduced the number of locks from 40 to 8. The two narrow channels, west of the present, are the remains of the second and third. The walls of these channels are constructed of locally quarried stone, and the indentations are the only remains of the old lock gate structures. The locks of the second canal were 150 feet in length.

6. L.G. CARTER GENERAL STORE • 230 WEST STREET

This structure was the first brick commercial building in Port Colborne. It was built in 1850 for Lewis Carter, later the owner of Roselawn, who operated it as a grocery, then as a general merchandise store and Post Office. The building has an Italianate style featuring a flat roof, rounded windows and a dominant cornice. The foundation of the structure is constructed of local limestone and the original building has been extended by an addition to the rear.

7. IMPERIAL BANK OF CANADA • 212 WEST STREET

Constructed in 1911, this structure with its unique terra-cotta exterior is an example of Classical Revival in the Beaux-Arts style. Note the dominant cornice, arched windows and festoons of flowers, nuts and ribbons below the window slipsills and along the sides of the windows. In 1905, the Imperial Bank of Canada purchased the “ best business corner in town” for the bank. The building was designated in 1983.

8. ST. JAMES ANGLICAN CHURCH • 55 CHARLOTTE STREET

Originally, a community church known as the “Union Church”, stood west of the structure where the fire hall is located now and was used by the various Protestant denominations in the community. The first Anglican church on this site was finished in 1867 and the congregation first worshiped in it on Confederation Day, July 1st. It was known as the “marine church” because a large portion of the funds for its building were received from captains of lake vessels. The present Gothic and Tudor revival structure with its solid crenellated tower was officially opened in April of 1917.

9. ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH • 123 KING STREET

Built in 1879, this building has the steep roof and narrow, pointed windows of Neo-Gothic Architecture. The rectory beside the church was built in 1871 and still serves the parish. Tradition says that originally a large iron statue of St. Patrick stood on the steeple, but in the 1890's it was struck by lightning and fell through the roof and floor of the church. It is believed that the statue may still be buried in the ground beneath the building.

10. 62 WEST STREET

Known originally as the Lakeview Hotel, this structure was built approximately 1840, and was located on the southwest corner of West and Sugarloaf Streets. In 1889 it was bought by Charles H. Carter, a tug captain, who moved it to its present location and converted it to a home. Note the almost oval “ Port Colborne” windows on the north side, the two story bay window and the return on the eaves. The “ Port Colborne window” is a straight sided window with two rounded ends thought to be the mark of a local craftsman and not known to exist elsewhere in Ontario. The original two story verandah had extended to the outer corners of the building, but was destroyed during a wind storm.

11. STONE HOUSE • 44 KING STREET

The land on which this house sits was originally owned by William Hamilton Merritt, the chief promoter of the Welland Canal. Title records indicate that this building is one of only a few stone structures in Port Colborne. The walls, made of limestone taken from the Welland Canal, are two feet thick. The Georgian style of Architecture is evident in the balanced three bay facade and centered doorway. The house dates from approximately the early 1840's.

12. WILDWOOD • 14 CATHARINE STREET

This house displays an eclectic mix of late Victorian styles with a mix of bays, an oriel window and turret on its north side in contrast to the restrained Greek Revival style of the east and south facades. It began as a small two story brick house built by William Arnott on the lake shore in 1876. In 1886 it was purchased as a summer and retirement home by Carolina residents Joseph and Alice Dickenson, who enlarged it to its present form. The imposing cast metal lions were imported from the Carolinas by the Dickensons. Wildwood was designated by LACAC in 1986.
Several houses surrounding Wildwood were built and owned by INCO for the use of its senior staff from Bayonne, New Jersey. The New England influence is evident in their architectural styles.

13. TENNESSEE AVENUE GATES

Built in 1898, the limestone pillars and gates are a reminder of a once magnificent summer colony, called the “Humberstone Summer Resort Company”. The gates were donated by the O'Fallon family, with the stone pillars named after their two daughters — Elizabeth and Caroline. The stone used was local limestone with the masonry work done by Ed Wegerich of Port Colborne. The wrought iron gates were manufactured in Toronto. The gates were designated in 1983.

14. HUMBERSTONE CLUB CASINO • 19 TENNESSEE AVENUE

This is the former Casino of the Humberstone Summer Resort Company, which ceased to be used in the 1930's. Constructed in 1912, it was used as a games and social centre. Like most of the summer residences along Tennessee Avenue, it has been bought by a local citizen and used as a year-round residence. Architectural features of interest include the “ eyebrow” window and chipped gables.

15. STEELE STREET SCHOOL • 214 STEELE STREET

Despite one major addition and several renovations, the symmetrical red brick facade trimmed with yellow terra cotta tile and the impressive central pediment still boldly proclaim the dignified Edwardian Classical style. This style was at the height of its popularity in 1915, when the school was built. The school and the street were named for the Steele family, early settlers of Humberstone Township.

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