Welcome, one and all, to the Niagara Industrial Heritage Tour!

Here, you will have an opportunity to explore some of the many sites that served as the backbone of Niagara's economy during the 20^th century and learn about the events that contextualize the growth, decline, and evolution of North American industry.

The tour begins near the front entrance of the Vale Canada refinery (formerly owned by INCO) in the city of Port Colborne.

The route is about 25 kilometers, or about 15 miles long, and incorporates elements of driving between destinations and walking around the points of interest. It will take around one and a half hours (1.5 hours) to complete.

Living and re-living the story of our past

History proves that narratives can be lost if its accompanying stories are never re-told. While we always have to live in the present and innovate for the future, it is our past that helps to shape our world. It's important that we remember that we're not just talking about old industrial buildings, but about what these places meant to the people who worked there at the time. Many communities were intimately tied to the growth and decline of local industry, which you can see for yourself by carefully looking at the surrounding landscape. For some, this story will undoubtedly revive old memories. It is my sincerest hope that this tour will encourage people to acknowledge that the current economic situation has been greatly affected by the decision to lay off workers and close the factories.

Engaging your mind

The Interpretours Platform provides a unique opportunity to provide you with readily available content delivered in a manner that is concise, entertaining, and informative. I have consolidated information from several sources, including old historic records, photos, and relevant videos, so you don't have to go digging for what you need to know. The end result, hopefully, is that you can at least take something with you from the tour experience. Perhaps this tour will inspire others to contribute their expert knowledge on the other sites that are not covered in this tour on a similar platform.

On this tour, we will visit the following sites:

• The old INCO Nickel Refinery, currently owned by Vale Canada, located near the heart of Port Colborne's east village and chiefly responsible for the growth of the city itself.
• The former Robin Hood Flour Mill, currently owned by Ceres Global, with its steel-framed cargo ship unloader overlooking the Welland Canal system standing as a hopeful prospect for future industrial involvement in the Niagara region.
• The former Empire Cotton Mill that stood central to the development of an entire cultural community in the city of Welland and reiterates the consequences of expanding global competition.
• The Atlas Steels Factory with its expansive and rusting façade obscured carefully behind fencing and vegetation, save for a few angles reserved for the more bold and ambitious photographers and consumers of local history.
• The former site of Welland Iron and Brass overlooking the Welland River that remains as little more than an empty field and harbours a resentment that balances the nostalgic romanticism of Niagara industry.

We'll also drive through Port Colborne's East Village and Welland's Frenchtown which owe much of their existence as communities to the industrial presence in Niagara. As well, we'll drive along the Welland Canal and past the Eglise Sacre-Coeur/Sacred Heart Church between sites on the tour.

If you would like to take this tour, please press the 'Load Tour' button on your screen.