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The City of Thorold is situated on treaty land. This land is steeped in the rich history of the First Nations such as the Hatiwendaronk (Hat-i-wen-DA-ronk), the Haudenosaunee (Hoe-den-no-SHOW-nee), and the Anishinaabe (Ah-nish-ih-NAH-bey), including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. There are many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people from across Turtle Island that live and work in Niagara today. The City of Thorold stands with all Indigenous people, past and present, in promoting the wise stewardship of the lands on which we live.
The City was named after Sir John Thorold, a British Parliament member known for his sympathy towards United Empire Loyalists. Thorold experienced significant growth with the opening of the Welland Canal in 1829, which connected Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, boosting trade and industry in the region. Industries such as milling, shipping, and manufacturing thrived, shaping Thorold’s early economy. As a result, it became a village in 1850, then grew to become a town in 1875. It would be one hundred years before Thorold incorporates into a City. In the meantime, the town would be introduced to a telephone, watch electricity light up a street railway and downtown street lights, and congregate in their new Town Hall at Chestnut Hall. Click here to download a timeline highlighting some interesting moments over the last 175 years.
The Thorold Public Library has digitally archived historical reports, articles, and photos of the City of Thorold. To view their collections, please click on the button below.
Learn about the history of Thorold by following one of three virtual tours on your phone. We offer a walking tour of our heritage homes in downtown Thorold, a driving tour around the rural areas of Thorold, and a cemetery tour exploring the famous people and darker stories of our ancestors who built our community. Click below to explore our rich history.
The City of Thorold is known for its strong sense of community and active volunteer base, which contributes to its vibrant culture and events. Thorold continues to evolve, with a focus on sustainable development, economic growth, and preserving its unique heritage for future generations. In 2025, we recognized 50 years of becoming a City with a new logo featured on merchandise and signage, fun interactive activities for residents and kicked off a spectacular celebration on Canada Day.
To celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2025, we invited youth to create a drawing of their Thorold community. Camille Filippetto's illustration was chosen by the Events Working Group and was featured on a giant anniversary card at the Canada Day long weekend celebrations for residents to colour and sign.
To celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2025, we invited residents to answer 50 trivia questions about Thorold. Chris Johnson answered 50 questions perfectly within the following categories; History & Industry, Welland Canal & Landmarks, Geography & Nature, Culture & Events, Sports & Recreation, Infastructure & Economy, Notable People & Governance, Education & Community, Miscellaneous, Local Business & Institutions.
To celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2025, we invited residents to submit their favourite photo of Thorold from past or present, showcasing our growth from a village to a city. Local resident Jim Kalogerakos won the best photo award for the Wall of Reflection displayed over the Canada Day festivities.
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