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Welland Raceway Recalled
Running Water Began to Flow in 1888
By George Foss
[Welland Tribune]
Except for a few senior citizens, the Welland Raceway represents a forgotten part of Welland’s history.
But members of the Welland Historical Society relived the past recently when Dr. Purdon discussed the raceway.
The Welland Raceway was completed between 1887-88 giving Welland electricity and water power.
All evidence of the old raceway has since disappeared. It originated from the Feeder Canal, where Prince Charles Drive intersects with Broadway Avenue. From this point it proceeded directly to the west side of the canal until it reached Lincoln Street.
Here, it turned westward, just south of the old fair grounds, at a parallel to Prince Charles Drive where it intersects Main Street West. It then turned east, striking a parallel to the Welland River, where it empties near Denistoun Street.
With a drop of 12 to 16 feet, the raceway was a stream about four feet deep and ten feet wide, moving with enough current to discourage swimming.
The Welland Electric Light Company was formed and a power plant was built just east of Prince Charles Drive. Power was obtained from two water powered turbines. Power lines were extended through parts of Welland and eight street lights were installed. Private homes could have electricity at a cost of $1 per month.
The arrival of electricity into the town of Welland provided the spark for the construction of a water works. The source of water was the canal, not the raceway on which it was built.
A.G. Kennedy of Owen Sound developed plans and supervised the construction of the water works. The Welland Water Works commenced operation in November 1888. With 5 ½ miles of pipe, 33 hydrants, and nearly every house being supplied by running water, the system was adequate until 1898.
As the population of the town increased, a new plant on Merritt Island gradually replaced the old facility. Sometime in 1920, both the old generating station and the old pumping station were demolished, ending an important part of Welland’s early history.
At no time during the operation of the water works on the raceway was the water purified. Water went directly from the canal to the homes. No wonder Welland was to face a problem of typhoid fever.
A chlorination system was added to the new water works on Merritt Island in 1912. There was still the problem with turbidity.
It was a long time, 37 years to be exact, before Welland was provided with an adequately treated water supply.
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