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The City of St. Catharines officially unveiled ‘The Pull’, a commemorative art piece that pays homage to the tow horses that played a crucial role in the history of the Welland Canals.
“We are excited to formally unveil The Pull in beautiful Port Dalhousie,” said Culture Supervisor Carly Anderson. “We are so grateful to our community partners who helped bring this wonderful art piece to our community.”
Kiwanis St. Catharines and the Port Dalhousie Beautification and Works Committee were responsible for the fundraising efforts and collaborating with the artists to plan and install the artwork at Lock One (45 Lakeport Rd.). The project was supported by the Niagara Community Foundation, private donors, and volunteers.
“Kiwanis Club of St. Catharines is so proud today for the preservation of the history, beauty, and the functionality of Lock One of the Second Canal,” said Past President of Kiwanis St. Catharines Len Bates. “Today completes the Kiwanis task started in 2016.”
The artwork, which was sculpted by Veronica and Edwin Dam de Nogales of Barcelona, Spain, and Floyd Elzinga of Beamsville, Ontario, was created by combining bronze and weathering steel. It depicts a tow horse in mid-stride with its harness fastened and its head leaning forward.
"When it comes to monumental and contemporary public sculpture, there is always a temptation to stand back and admire the work of art as a work of art, to congratulate each other for the various depths of involvement in the project, and to see the artwork as an object or achievement in itself. But to be true to nature and the impetus of the artwork, especially here, that temptation must be resisted,” said Edwin Dam de Nogales on behalf of the artistic team. “Our hope is that ’The Pull’ helps us to remember anew, to imagine, and to honour in the meagre ways we do, the animals, the horses and mules, that trod a way forward day after day, to remember those that gave and continue to give so much."
The sailing ships of the early canal era were pulled through the channel with their sails furled. By 1842, there were 150 teams of horses stabled at the west side of what would become Lakeside Park, near the entrance to the canal. Teams of horses, mules and / or oxen, driven by a tow boy, would move along a tow path that ran beside the canal. Teams were exchanged at locations along the route.
The canal passage between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario was a tough journey for both humans and animals. The canal banks were often covered in sticky mud, creating a dangerous and tiring environment. The use of animals such as tow horses waned as ships eventually became capable of moving along the canal under their own power.
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