This Great National Object: Building The Nineteenth-Century Welland Canals (2012) by Roberta M. Styran and Robert R. Taylor - This is one of two books we'd recommend if you're looking for a comprehensive history of the Welland Canals. This book places an emphasis on the engineering accomplishments made by the people who built and operated the Welland Canals. This book is widely available in local libraries.

The Welland Canals and Their Communities: Engineering, Industrial and Urban Transformation (1997) by John N. Jackson - This is the second of two history books about the canals we're recommending. This book places a greater emphasis on how decisions made while building the canals, often for unforeseen reasons, affected the urban development along the canals. This book is widely available in local libraries.

Biography of the Hon. W. H. Merritt (1875) by Jedediah Prendergast Merritt – If you want to read more about William Hamilton Merritt's life story his son Jedediah published this biography about his father in 1875. Most of the personal information we have about William Merritt comes from this book. Several copies of this book are available in the Special Collections department of the St. Catharines Public Library.

Survey of Lands appropriate to the use of the Welland Canal Company (1826-1837) - Before the First Welland Canal was built, William Hamilton Merritt went to each property owner along its route, surveyed their land and drew a map showing how much land was needed for the canal. These surveys still exist and are kept in the Archives and Special Collections department at Brock University. There's also no need to go there, they can be downloaded as six pdf files on Brock University's website. Make sure to click on the option, “View more items” on the web page to see all six files.

Welland Canal from Actual Survey (1837) – Also called the “Baird and Killaly Map”, this is a complete map of the First Welland Canal. The value of this map is priceless because it's the only map showing the entire route and design of the First Welland Canal after it was completed. It’s also amazingly accurate when tested against newer maps and satellite images. Copies can be download from the Brock University Map Library on the "Welland Canal From Actual Survey" webpage. Just a warning, the map is very large and you'll need to download eleven *.tiff files to get the entire map.

Second Welland Canal Books 1, 2, and 3 (1826-1860s) – Books 1, 2 and 3 are the original plans for building the Second Welland Canal. They are very complete and often include information about the roads and buildings populating the banks of the canal. Similar to the “Survey of Lands” book mentioned above, these books are being kept by the Archives and Special Collections department of Brock University. They can be downloaded as Book 1, Book 2 and Book 3.

The Welland Ship Canal Between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie 1913 -1932 (1935) by Major Percy J Cowan – One reason this book is on the list is because it has an almost cult like following among Welland Canal aficionados. The book compiles three years of engineering articles about the Fourth Welland Canal, including a comprehensive history of the canals and details of what happened to the Third Welland Canal when the Fourth Welland Canal was getting built in 1913-1932. This book is available in the Special Collections department of the St. Catharines Public Library.

The Welland Canals: Historical Resource Analysis and Preservation Alternatives (1976) by Greenwald, Michelle – Arguably the best resource on the list. In the mid 1970’s the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Recreation decided to study the canals and index every remaining remnant from the older Welland Canals. This book is difficult to find but there is a copy at the St. Catharines Museum and in the Special Collections section of the downtown St. Catharines Library.

A Survey of Historical Structures: The Welland Canal Industrial Corridor (1990) by Welland Canals Society Archaeology Project – This book is amazing if you’re interested in the industrial corridor that sprung up beside the First and Second Welland Canals in St. Catharines, Merriton and Thorold. If you see any old building or structure along the canals in these areas, this book will tell you what it is and why it's there. This book is difficult to find but there is a copy at the St. Catharines Museum and in the Special Collections section of the downtown St. Catharines Library.

Historic Welland Canals Mapping Project (HWCMP) – This is the most recent resource on the list. Designed by Colleen Baird, a Welland Canal expert and previous map librarian at Brock University, the HWCMP is an interactive website that uses modern day mapping technology to show the routes of the historic Welland Canals. We highly recommend using this website: HWCMP

Niagara Navigator – This is free interactive website that shows the layout and infrastructure of the Niagara Region. The website is easy to use and has an amazing feature that lets people see overhead imagery of the Niagara Region going back as far as the 1920's. The website is here: Niagara Navigator

Historic Welland Canals (2010) by Roger Bradshaw – This book is on the list because it makes a unique and special contribution to our appreciation of the canals. Roger Bradshaw had been taking professional quality photos of Welland Canal remnants for several years and decided to publish them in what is essentially a coffee table book. The photos are amazing. This book is available in local libraries and last we checked still for sale at the St. Catharines Museum.

Brock Map Library: The Brock Map Library maintains a large collection of historical maps of the Niagara Region, many of which show the route and details of the canals. They also keep a collection of aerial photos dating back to 1921. The Library has been putting some excellent resources online so if you're serious about researching the canals I'd recommend checking out all of these links.

• Historic Welland Canals Mapping Project
• Welland Canals Exhibit
• Historical Maps of Niagara Index / Viewing Gallery
• Aerial Photos

Brock University Special Collections and Archives: Brock University's Special Collections & Archives department has been focused on collecting the history of the Niagara Peninsula for over 45 years. The materials on the Welland Canal are made up of primary and secondary sources from the 1820's to the present. The collection includes original survey maps from the First and Second Welland Canals. Sorting through them can be overwhelming. The department has provided a search tool for the Second Welland Canal.

St. Catharines Museum: Library and Archives: St. Catharines Museum has it's own reference library and archives located in the basement. It's open to researchers Monday, Wednesday and Friday 12:30pm-4:30pm. They recommend calling ahead so that they can expect your visit. Sounds like a good idea. Phone number is on their website.

St. Catharines Public Library: The St. Catharines Downtown Library has done a great job collecting material about the Welland Canals over the 50 years. If you go to Special Collections room on the second floor and search for catalogue number "386.47" you'll see about 4-5 shelves of organized newspaper clippings, rare books, bound essays, government reports, etc. about the Welland Canals. It's a great way to see how much sustained and varied interest there has been in the canals over the last 50 years.

Niagara Falls Public Library: The Niagara Falls Library has a large photo collection available online. Searching their collection using the subject, "Welland Ship Canal" yields over 500 results.

2029 Historic Welland Canals Task Force : This organization is still new but looks exciting. Their stated goals are to find ways to commemorate the First, Second and Third Welland Canals and to recognize their significant milestones. Based on their goals the group is reminiscent of the Welland Canal Preservation Association and Welland Canal Society that operated in the 1980's and did a lot to preserve the historic Welland Canals. If they can match the accomplishments of these previous groups it will be something to watch.

Historical Society of St. Catharines: The Historical Society of St. Catharines meets several times a year with a mission to increase people knowledge and appreciation for local history. Attending one of their meetings is a great way to meet local historians interested in the Welland Canal.

The Welland Canal: For several years Dr. Gord hosted a community forum for people interested in the Welland Canals. He's now on Facebook with an even larger group (over 4000 people!). If you want to track ships or discuss the Welland Canal this group's always open to new members.

Peter Marshall's Google Map: Peter Marshall contacted the Field Guide several years ago to report that he created a giant google map with information about the old Welland Canals. Its well done and the unique interface makes researching the canal much more interactive. Good job.

Wikipedia: Wikipedia isn't exactly a "Fan Site", but it is a collaboration of millions of people sharing knowledge on topics they're passionate about. Take a look at it and if you find anything missing or needing clarification you can always consider adding to it. Just remember to cite your sources. :-)