Located south of Downtown Welland is an interesting part of the Welland Canal History.

The small community of Helmsport (also known as Hellemsport or Port Hellems or Junction) grew around where the Feeder and the First and Second canal met. Once the extension in 1833 was opened to Port Colborne not long after, around 1837, a tavern and others began operation here.

In 1840 the Stone Junction lock was built and the community thrived. The area was incorporated in to Welland  just after 1917 the area was described as “a hive of bootleggers and lawlessness.”

The feeder closed around this time and the Lock was filled in but its remains can still be seen today just south of Broadway and Prince Charles Drive .

If you get a chance be sure to go check out this interesting part of the Welland Canal history.