St. Catharines, Ont. – A community group in St. Catharines is pushing to restore the neglected grave of a historic Black businessman, but city officials insist that efforts must first be made to locate his family before proceeding.
The city council had voted in July on a way forward for the restoration, but some local historians and advocates have expressed frustration over delays in the process.
“This is about honoring an important figure in our city’s history,” said a local historian involved in the initiative. “The longer we wait, the more we risk losing this piece of our heritage.”
City officials, however, argue that any restoration should involve family members if they can be found. “We respect the historical significance, but we also have a duty to locate descendants before making changes to the grave,” a city spokesperson stated.
The businessman, whose contributions to the community were significant, remains a largely forgotten figure. Advocates hope that with or without family approval, his legacy will soon be recognized and preserved properly.