The Queen Street neighbourhood has been designated as a heritage district by the City of St. Catharines for the important contributions of the Merritt family in the commercial, economic and cultural development of the community.
The neighbourhood, located in the City's downtown core, was identified as a heritage district in 1991. Learn more about the Queen Street Heritage District, including maps, plans and studies.
Heritage permits
If you own a property within the Queen Street Heritage District, you may need to purchase a heritage permit before beginning construction or renovation work on your property.
Take a heritage tour
If you're interested in exploring the history and heritage of Queen Street, try one of our heritage walking tours.
History of Queen Street
After the construction of the first Welland Canal, the Niagara Peninsula saw considerable economic growth. The canal project was initiated by William Hamilton Merritt, a prominent landowner in the area.
In 1868, the Merritt estate was subdivided creating the Triangular Tract, a new residential neighbourhood and Montebello Garden – which was later acquired by the City and is now known as Montebello Park. By the 1870s, Queen Street was a thriving residential street, and a large pavilion and bandstand was built in Montebello Park. It wasn't until 1913 that families settled in homes along Midland Street, bordering the park. The unique building styles in this neighbourhood, give the Queen Street Heritage District a diverse and rich historical streetscape.