The Town of Thorold was incorporated as a village in 1850 and as a Town in 1875. In 1970 the new Town of Thorold was created by combining the former Township of Thorold and the former Town of Thorold. On the first day of July, 1975, the new Town of Thorold became the Corporation of the City of Thorold.
Thorold is a City rich in history - it was the site of an important Neutral Indian village, a battleground in the War of 1812, a centre for early Methodism, a corridor for all four Welland Canals, a hive of industry development (especially paper making), and much more.
In 1824, the badly-needed first Welland Canal was built. The Canal attracts thousands who view, with wonder, the great barrier that traps the water and lifts huge ships to higher levels and on to the Great Lakes. Thorold's locks are unique in that they lift ships higher, over a shorter distance. This heritage rich city is situated on top of the Niagara Escarpment, 350 feet above sea level.