Laura Secord Mural



A representation of Lieutenant Fitzgibbon and the two memorials to the soldiers who fell at the Battle of Beaverdams. Photo: David Brown
 


A section of the Laura Secord mural, representing the events that occurred between Laura's Walk and the Battle of Beaverdams. Photo: David Brown
 


A section of the Laura Secord mural, representing the events that occurred between Laura's Walk and the Battle of Beaverdams. Photo: David Brown
 


A section of the Laura Secord mural, representing the events that occurred between Laura's Walk and the Battle of Beaverdams. Photo: David Brown
 

The Thorold Murals and the Laura Secord mural in particular display valuable pieces of Niagara's history. Murals, like other forms of public artwork, are a way that the general public is able to learn about and connect with their heritage. The murals, located along the Welland Canal Trail in Thorold, were a community effort – people were willing to give of their funds and their time to bring about more recognition of the important people and events of Thorold's history.

The Laura Secord Mural is located, along with eleven other murals, in the City of Thorold. Shawn Reimer, the main artist on the Thorold Mural project, and a team of community volunteers began painting the Thorold Murals in 2005. Five of the twelve murals are located along the Welland Canal Trail, on the west side of the Welland Canal. The murals total over 1800 square metres, the largest string of murals in Canada.

The presence of the murals in Thorold has had a positive impact on the city's image. The murals have brought in more people - tourists to see the paintings - but also more awareness of the city's heritage, both to visitors and residents. Shawn Reimer and his team, along with the many other groups who have donated their funds and time believe that the paintings are valuable, allowing people to appreciate and learn about the history and heritage of Thorold. Several of the more notable murals are those illustrating the construction of the Welland Canal, pulp and paper production, and story of Laura Secord and the Battle of Beaverdams.

Some of the challenges that face the creation and maintenance of this kind of artwork is their vulnerability to extreme temperatures and vandalism. The original murals were painted on brick, on the sides of the industrial buildings located along the trail, however in a few years time the paint had already begun to peel and wear. In 2008 Reimer and his team decided to copy the paintings from the brick buildings onto aluminum panels. The new material was intended to preserve the paintings for longer and allow them to be mobile if the need arose.

The murals that are related to the Laura Secord story are both a tribute to Laura herself and to those who fought and died in the War of 1812. The murals include representations of the Laura Secord Stamp, Laura driving a cow ahead of her, crossing the Twenty Mile Creek, meeting with Native Americans, and bringing the news to Fitzgibbon. There is also a picture of DeCew House, American and Natives forces battling at Beaverdams, Lieutenant Fitzgibbon and finally the monuments to those who fell in the battles, both which are found in the Battle of the Beaverdams Park. Each section of the mural is accompanied by a short explanation of the event or item displayed.

From Toronto:

1. Take the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), following signs for Niagara/East Hamilton/Fort Erie
2. Take the exit onto ON-406 S toward Thorold/Welland/Port Colborne
3. Drive 9.5 km take the Regional Road 89/Glendale Avenue exit
4. Turn left onto Glendale Ave/Regional Rd 89
5. Turn right onto Merritt St
6. After 1.4 km continue onto Ormond St N
7. Drive 350 m then turn left onto St David St E
8. St David St E turns right and becomes Wellington St N

The mural is located on your left side, just before the building with the red roof

From Niagara:

1. Head north on Queen Elizabeth Way toward Toronto
2. Take exit 32 for Thorold Stone Road/Regional Road 57 toward Thorold
3. Turn left onto Thorold Stone Road
4. After 5.5 km continue onto ON-58 N (signs for Thorold/Ontario 406)
5. Drive 1.2 km then take the Pine Street exit
6. Turn right onto Pine St S/Regional Rd 67
7. Make a slight right onto Richmond St
8. Continue straight onto Ormond St S
9. After 1.4 km turn right onto St David St E
10. St David St E turns right and becomes Wellington St N

The mural is located on your left side, just before the building with the red roof

See Google Street View

67-77 Wellington St N
Thorold, Ontario
L2V 2E8 Municipality Thorold

Latitude: 43.12908
Longitude: -79.194592


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