In 1856, the town of St. Catharines established The St. Catharines Cemetery, located just east of downtown near the Welland Canal. In the early 1900's the cemetery was renamed Victoria Lawn in commemoration of Queen Victoria of England. There are approximately 78,000 people interred at the cemetery, along with multiple gardens, mausoleums and stunning architectural pieces. The Carillon Tower is a centerpiece to the extension of the cemetery (located across the street from the main gate). The tower plays music on the hour, and throughout the Christmas season you can hear classic Christmas carols chiming from the electronic bell system.
Visitors can experience a self-guided walking tour that takes them throughout the cemetery passed such important names in Niagara history as:
- Dr. Theophilus Mack: Physician, founder of Springbank Hotel, General and Marine Hospital on Cherry Street and a training school for nurses.
- William Hamilton Merritt: Captain of Dragoons during War of 1812 and taken prisoner at battle of Lundy's Lane. Began building the Welland Canal after his release.
- Rev. Anthony Burns: Escaped a plantation in Virgina, captured in Boston in 1854 and eventually gained freedom in Canada.
- Dr. Gwendolyn Mulock: First practicing female doctor in St. Catharines.Served as medical consultant for Toronto Children's Aid Society and director of women's health at University of Toronto.
and some interesting looking plots:
- Shickluna Lot
- Thomas Burns
- Woodruff
- Minnie Madeline Neelon
- Hon. James Rae Benson
All photos in gallery by: Jessica Sutton