The Town of Pelham (and former Township of Pelham) has a rich history. A few of the individuals, organizations, events and buildings which have helped shape that legacy have been commemorated with historical plaques or markers. These have been sponsored by a variety of organizations. The following section displays an image of each marker and provides some additional context, links to more information, their locations and the names of the sponsoring organizations.
Historical Plaques
Located at the Hansler Cemetery, Metler Road, Pelham just west of Bissell’s Hideaway. See the following PHS Historical Calendar entry for more information – Tunkers.
Sponsored by Ontario Heritage Trust (formerly Ontario Heritage Foundation) which is a non-profit agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. It is responsible for protecting, preserving and promoting the built, natural and cultural heritage of Ontario.
Located at the SE corner of Welland Road and Effingham Road in Ridgeville. See the following PHS Historical Calendar entry for more information – Three Small Cemeteries.
Sponsored by Pelham Executive Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Niagara Quakers). The Niagara Quakers are a separate group from the Pelham Evangelical Friends Church (Brick Church on Haist Street). They have responsibility for the cemetery and have erected this plaque to commemorate the early Quaker settlement in Pelham.
Located at 636 Metler Rd, North Pelham (Fenwick).
The Comfort Maple Conservation Area conserves what is widely believed to be the oldest and finest sugar maple tree in Canada, which was designated a heritage tree in June 2000 under the Ontario Heritage Act. The 0.2 hectare area located at 636 Metler Rd, Fenwick was part of the land purchased by the Comfort family in 1816. It was entrusted to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority to conserve this ‘old growth’ tree for its historical and biological significance. This plaque was donated by the staff of Niagara Castings (Canada).
Sponsored by Pelham LACAC (Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee), a committee formerly sponsored by the Town of Pelham. Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committees (LACAC) were established around the time the Ontario Heritage Act was enacted in 1974. The committees were appointed by Municipal Councils to advise on heritage matters within their communities. Over the years, the work of these committees has expanded to include cultural and natural heritage as well as buildings. To better reflect the scope of their work, LACAC became known as Municipal Heritage Committees. LACAC volunteers worked in separate committees within different areas of Niagara, including St. Catharines, Thorold, Niagara Falls, and Pelham.
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Located in front of the Pelham Funeral Home, 1292 South Pelham Street, Fonthill. For more information see the following PHS Historical Calendar entry – Fonthill Nurseries
Sponsored by The Pelham Historical Society.
Located in front of a residence at 916 Church Street, Fenwick. For more information see the following PHS Historical Calendar entry – Fenwick Fair.
Sponsored by The Pelham Historical Society.
Located adjacent to the Town of Pelham municipal buildings, 20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill.
For more information see the following PHS Historical Calendar entries:
Sponsored by The Pelham Historical Society.
Located on the north side of River Road just west of O’Reilly’s Bridge.
For more information see the following PHS Historical Calendar entries:
Sponsored by Niagara Region.
