Where Is Downtown Port Colborne?
Port Colborne began on the east side of Welland Canal. Its first commercial district was on “East Street.” Later, new stores and warehouses were establish on the opposite side of the Canal on West Street. When a new channel was constructed in 1932 for the Fourth Welland Canal, East Street was demolished and the area excavated. This area is marked by the span of the Clarence Lift Bridge. Ever since Port Colborne amalgamated with the Town of Humberstone in 1952, the community has had two separate commercial areas. The Old Humberstone Business District is located along Main Street (Highway 3) west of Lock 8 Gateway Park. This area contains a variety of services, retail stores, restaurants and taverns. The Downtown Business District centres on Clarence Street and several adjoining streets (including Historic West Street). This area contains retail shops, small boutiques, restaurants, bars, financial institutions and a variety of government services.
