Pelham, Ontario
Encyclopedia
The Town of Pelham is located in the centre of Niagara Region
in Ontario
, Canada
.
The town's southern boundary is formed by the Welland River
, a meandering waterway that flows into the Niagara River
. To the west is the township of West Lincoln, to the east the city of Welland, and to the north the city of St. Catharines. North Pelham contains the picturesque Short Hills (see attractions). Two important creeks have their headwaters within Pelham; Coyle Creek
, which flows south into the Welland River, and Twelve Mile creek
, a spring-fed stream that flows north into Lake Ontario
.
since the 1780s. Although during the War of 1812
there were no battles in Pelham, after the war, a major fortification was proposed in the north of the township in the Short Hills area. The high-rising hills were thought to be an excellent defence spot, and 900 acres (3.6 km²) of lands were purchased by the government. The site was surveyed and named Wellington Height after the Duke of Wellington
. The planned stronghold was named King George's Battery. However, the plan was repeatedly deferred, before being finally abandoned in 1860s. The land was sold off as farmland. From the top of the hill on a clear day it is possible to see Toronto
, Hamilton
and western New York state. At one time a ski tow was installed on the north side of the hill on a golf course, but it was a commercial failure and no longer operates.
In 1970, the Town of Pelham unified five historical communities: Fonthill
, Ridgeville
, Effingham
, North Pelham and Fenwick
into a single town covering 126.42 square kilometres. This integration brought together a mix of farming and growing commercialism.
Tree is estimated to be Canada's largest Sugar Maple
tree, approximately 500 years old. Named after the Comfort family on whose land the tree once stood, it has been designated a Conservation site for its biological and historical significance. The Comfort Maple is located in the village of North Pelham.
Short Hills Provincial Park
, located along the northern border of Pelham, is a wildlife preserve of 6.6 square kilometres. It once consisted of a valley filled with sedimentary deposits and glacial till, until Twelve Mile Creek sliced through, forming the "Short Hills." In addition there is also St. John's Conservation area, which has a fish pond and a set of trails.
Pelham is also a great location for avid golfers, having a steadily growing amount of golf courses. The town's oldest course, Lookout Point Golf and Country Club, was founded in 1922 by a group of Welland
businessmen. Interestingly, the planned King George's Battery would have been located on site of the course, in an area currently occupied by parking, clubhouse, and the first tee
.
grew up in Fenwick
and later became a professional cyclist and wore the yellow jersey at the Tour de France
during several years in the 1980s. There is a series of walking and biking trails throughout the municipality which are named after him.
World Golf Hall of Fame
inductee Marlene Streit
also grew up in Pelham, and has a park in the Town's core named after her.
CTV's morning show CTV AM's weather and sports man, Jeff Hutcheson
currently lives in Fenwick
Former NHL enforcer Matt Johnson was raised and lived in Fenwick Ontario, although his birthplace is listed as Welland Ontario, as this is where the local hospital is located.
David Butko, CEO and founder of famous movie-making company Butassigan, was born in St. Catharines but grew up in Fonthill. He still currently lives in Fonthill.
According to the Canada 2006 Census
:
According to the Canada 2001 Census
:
Pelham's clubs include:
Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ontario
The Regional Municipality of Niagara , also known as the Niagara Region, or, colloquially, "Regional Niagara", is a regional municipality comprising twelve municipalities of Southern Ontario, Canada....
in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The town's southern boundary is formed by the Welland River
Welland River
The Welland River is a river in the Niagara Region of southern Ontario which flows from its headwaters south of Hamilton, Ontario to empty into the Niagara River near the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario. It drains an area of 880 km²....
, a meandering waterway that flows into the Niagara River
Niagara River
The Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It forms part of the border between the Province of Ontario in Canada and New York State in the United States. There are differing theories as to the origin of the name of the river...
. To the west is the township of West Lincoln, to the east the city of Welland, and to the north the city of St. Catharines. North Pelham contains the picturesque Short Hills (see attractions). Two important creeks have their headwaters within Pelham; Coyle Creek
Coyle Creek
Coyle Creek is a small, meandering waterway in Canada located in southern Pelham, Ontario that forms an important component of the Welland River watershed...
, which flows south into the Welland River, and Twelve Mile creek
Twelve Mile Creek (Ontario)
Twelve Mile Creek is a waterway located in the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario, Canada. Its headwaters are located in the town of Pelham, Ontario, encompassing some of the most unspoiled and natural areas of Niagara area. Its lower reaches flow through urban areas of Thorold, Ontario and St...
, a spring-fed stream that flows north into Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
.
History
Pelham Township was part of Welland CountyWelland County, Ontario
Welland County is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario.The county was formed in 1851 from Lincoln County. The county was named from the Welland River. The river got its name from John Grave Simcoe who named it after a stream in Lincolnshire, England...
since the 1780s. Although during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
there were no battles in Pelham, after the war, a major fortification was proposed in the north of the township in the Short Hills area. The high-rising hills were thought to be an excellent defence spot, and 900 acres (3.6 km²) of lands were purchased by the government. The site was surveyed and named Wellington Height after the Duke of Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
. The planned stronghold was named King George's Battery. However, the plan was repeatedly deferred, before being finally abandoned in 1860s. The land was sold off as farmland. From the top of the hill on a clear day it is possible to see Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
and western New York state. At one time a ski tow was installed on the north side of the hill on a golf course, but it was a commercial failure and no longer operates.
In 1970, the Town of Pelham unified five historical communities: Fonthill
Fonthill, Ontario
Fonthill is a community in the town of Pelham, Ontario, Canada. It has a few small industries, most notably Fonthill Lumber but is primarily a residential suburb known for its middle class homes and community spirit. As a bedroom community, most residents commute to Welland, St...
, Ridgeville
Ridgeville, Ontario
Ridgeville is a village within the town of Pelham, Ontario in Canada. It borders the western limit of the area known as Fonthill. It derives its name from its location on the south western ridge of the Fonthill Kame...
, Effingham
Effingham, Ontario
Effingham is a hamlet on Effingham Creek, a tributary of the Twelve Mile Creek, in the northern part of the Town of Pelham in Ontario, Canada. Located close to the Niagara Escarpment, it has few roads which wind through the Escarpment's forests....
, North Pelham and Fenwick
Fenwick, Ontario
Fenwick is a community in the Canadian province of Ontario, in the town of Pelham. It is located near the town of Fonthill in the Niagara Region. Welland is the closest city center.-External links:* at Geographical Names of Canada*...
into a single town covering 126.42 square kilometres. This integration brought together a mix of farming and growing commercialism.
Attractions
The Comfort MapleComfort Maple
The Comfort Maple tree is an individual sugar maple located in Comfort Maple Conservation Area in the Town of Pelham, Ontario. The tree is estimated to be about 500 years old. This estimate is not based upon a complete ring count, If correct, it would make this one of the oldest sugar maple...
Tree is estimated to be Canada's largest Sugar Maple
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum is a species of maple native to the hardwood forests of northeastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to southern Ontario, and south to Georgia and Texas...
tree, approximately 500 years old. Named after the Comfort family on whose land the tree once stood, it has been designated a Conservation site for its biological and historical significance. The Comfort Maple is located in the village of North Pelham.
Short Hills Provincial Park
Short Hills Provincial Park
Short Hills Provincial Park is a provincial park located in the centre of the Niagara Peninsula, bordering the city of St. Catharines and the town of Pelham in the Niagara Region in southern Ontario, Canada. It occupies an area of 6.6 km²...
, located along the northern border of Pelham, is a wildlife preserve of 6.6 square kilometres. It once consisted of a valley filled with sedimentary deposits and glacial till, until Twelve Mile Creek sliced through, forming the "Short Hills." In addition there is also St. John's Conservation area, which has a fish pond and a set of trails.
Pelham is also a great location for avid golfers, having a steadily growing amount of golf courses. The town's oldest course, Lookout Point Golf and Country Club, was founded in 1922 by a group of Welland
Welland, Ontario
Welland is a city in the Regional Municipality of Niagara in Southern Ontario, Canada.The city has been traditionally known as the place where rails and water meet, referring to the railways from Buffalo to Toronto and Southwestern Ontario, and the waterways of Welland Canal and Welland River,...
businessmen. Interestingly, the planned King George's Battery would have been located on site of the course, in an area currently occupied by parking, clubhouse, and the first tee
Tee
A tee is a stand used to support a stationary ball so that the player can strike it, particularly in golf, tee ball, American football, and rugby.- Etymology :...
.
Notable people from Pelham
Steve BauerSteve Bauer
Steven Todd Bauer, MSM is a former professional road bicycle racer from Canada. He is an Olympic medallist and winner of several professional races.-Cycling career:...
grew up in Fenwick
Fenwick, Ontario
Fenwick is a community in the Canadian province of Ontario, in the town of Pelham. It is located near the town of Fonthill in the Niagara Region. Welland is the closest city center.-External links:* at Geographical Names of Canada*...
and later became a professional cyclist and wore the yellow jersey at the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
during several years in the 1980s. There is a series of walking and biking trails throughout the municipality which are named after him.
World Golf Hall of Fame
World Golf Hall of Fame
The World Golf Hall of Fame is located at World Golf Village near St. Augustine, Florida, in the United States, and it is unusual among sports halls of fame in that a single site serves both men and women. It is supported by a consortium of 26 golf organizations from all over the world.The Hall of...
inductee Marlene Streit
Marlene Streit
Marlene Stewart Streit, OC, O.Ont is a Canadian amateur golfer, and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.She was born in Cereal, Alberta. She learned golf from Gordon McInnis Sr. at the Lookout Point Golf Club in Fonthill, Ontario...
also grew up in Pelham, and has a park in the Town's core named after her.
CTV's morning show CTV AM's weather and sports man, Jeff Hutcheson
Jeff Hutcheson
Jeff Hutcheson is a Canadian weather and sports anchor for Canada AM.He started his career in 1976 at CFRB as a "good news" reporter, during his first year in college. His next work was with CKCO-TV in Kitchener, Ontario, where he was a sports anchor, reporter, producer, television host and writer...
currently lives in Fenwick
Former NHL enforcer Matt Johnson was raised and lived in Fenwick Ontario, although his birthplace is listed as Welland Ontario, as this is where the local hospital is located.
David Butko, CEO and founder of famous movie-making company Butassigan, was born in St. Catharines but grew up in Fonthill. He still currently lives in Fonthill.
Government
The Town is divided into three wards, each of which elects two councillors to sit on Town Council for a period of four years. The Mayor is elected separately and also serves a term of four years. After serving from 2006-2010 mayor Dave Augustyn was reelected and will serve 2010-2014. Additionally a regional councillor is elected to represent Pelham at the Regional Municipality of Niagara government-level.Demographics
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 1971 | 9,997 |
| 1981 | 11,104 |
| 1991 | 13,328 |
| 2001 | 15,272 |
| 2006 | 16,155 |
According to the Canada 2006 Census
Canada 2006 Census
The Canada 2006 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 16, 2006. The next census following will be the 2011 Census. Canada's total population enumerated by the 2006 census was 31,612,897...
:
- Population: 16,155
- Percentage Change (2001-2006): + 5.8 %
- Dwellings: 6,058
- Area: 126.42 km²
- Population densityPopulation densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
: 127.8/km²
According to the Canada 2001 Census
Canada 2001 Census
The Canada 2001 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 15, 2001. On that day, Statistics Canada attempted to count every person in Canada. The total population count of Canada was 30,007,094. This was a 4% increase over 1996 Census of 28,846,761. In...
:
- Population: 15,272
- Percentage Change (1996-2001): + 6.5 %
- Dwellings: 5,714
- Area: 126.42 km²
- Population densityPopulation densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
: 120.8/km²
Sports and recreation
Pelham's sports include:- Pelham Minor Hockey Association
- Pelham Minor Baseball Association
- Pelham Soccer Club
- Pelham Basketball Association
Pelham's clubs include:
Communities
- EffinghamEffingham, OntarioEffingham is a hamlet on Effingham Creek, a tributary of the Twelve Mile Creek, in the northern part of the Town of Pelham in Ontario, Canada. Located close to the Niagara Escarpment, it has few roads which wind through the Escarpment's forests....
- FenwickFenwick, OntarioFenwick is a community in the Canadian province of Ontario, in the town of Pelham. It is located near the town of Fonthill in the Niagara Region. Welland is the closest city center.-External links:* at Geographical Names of Canada*...
- FonthillFonthill, OntarioFonthill is a community in the town of Pelham, Ontario, Canada. It has a few small industries, most notably Fonthill Lumber but is primarily a residential suburb known for its middle class homes and community spirit. As a bedroom community, most residents commute to Welland, St...
- North Pelham
- Pelham Centre
- Pelham Corners
- RidgevilleRidgeville, OntarioRidgeville is a village within the town of Pelham, Ontario in Canada. It borders the western limit of the area known as Fonthill. It derives its name from its location on the south western ridge of the Fonthill Kame...