Francis J. Petrie was for many years the City Historian of Niagara Falls, as well as the author of a regular newspaper column in the Niagara Falls Review.
After his death many of his photographs, negatives, slides, and postcards were donated to the Library.
The 1000-foot long Welland Dock was built on the west side of the new channel for the use of the city of Welland and its industries. It was specially designed to allow for the easy access of railways.
The Townline Road / Rail Tunnel, running east-west beneath the new channel on the old Townline Road (Welland) was opened to automobile traffic in July 1972 and to railway traffic in February 1973.
This picture shows the process of moving the Swing Bridge of the Welland Canal from Marlatt's Crossing (Old Canal) to Linden St. crosing in Thorold. The actual moving of the bridge was accomplished with the use of a scow.