Investigations continue as human remains have been found again on Sugarloaf Street in Port Colborne, authorities say. The most recent discovery is at 112 Sugarloaf St.
The story is complex. Niagara Regional Police were called to a condo building near the corner of Sugarloaf and Elm Streets in March 2022 following the discovery of human remains at a Port Colborne construction site. Authorities determined the situation was not a criminal matter and instead focused on the site’s historical significance.
Journalist Dave Johnson reported that remains previously found nearby had been handed over to Ontario’s Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries for further investigation.
The area, known as the location of cemeteries dating back to the 1800s, had already drawn attention earlier in the year.
However, in May, members of Indigenous communities joined the investigation when it was suspected that the remains could belong to an Indigenous burial site, which began a more specialized archeological approach.
Most recently, additional remains were discovered at 112 Sugarloaf St., close to the original site. These findings add another layer of complexity to an area already rich with history.
Historical maps from the L.R. Wilson Archives in Port Colborne reveal Sugarloaf and Elm Streets are situated in a zone surrounded by old burial grounds spanning at least five properties. Records confirm the presence of two cemeteries from the 19th Century, though it remains unclear whether the newly uncovered remains belong to Indigenous peoples, settlers, or both. The region has also yielded Indigenous artifacts in the past, further highlighting its archeological importance.
As reported by Dave Johnson, the area surrounding the apartment building, including the neighbouring H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park and 229 Sugarloaf Sts., was historically part of the Lake Erie shoreline.
Indigenous remains have been discovered in these locations, as well as along Tennessee Avenue, reflecting the presence of Indigenous communities in the region. Further north in Port Colborne, on Stonebridge Drive, artifacts have also been uncovered, offering further insight into the area's rich Indigenous history.
These findings have been consistent since the 1990s. Resident Robert Sheele said in an email the area was abandoned by the late 1800s, and the Town of Port Colborne petitioned the Ontario Government in 1921 to allow the Town to remove found graves to other cemeteries.
“[The] recent find of human remains at 112 Sugarloaf does resemble what is happening in terms of ongoing archaeology and investigation of human remains currently at the old Sugarloaf Cemetery between Isabel and Fielden.” Sheele said.
“These two old cemeteries are only 300 meters apart and share much of the same early history of Port Colborne,” he said. “While the Sugarloaf Cemetery is currently being studied for potential Indigenous connection, I have not been made aware that the same was evident in any type of past studies concerning the old cemetery at corner of Elm and Sugarloaf Street."
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on respecting the cultural and historical significance of the area. Archeological work was paused in 2023 to ensure the city’s collaboration with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Six Nations in the investigation.
Whether this is a case of rediscovered settler cemeteries or Indigenous burial grounds remains to be determined. The discoveries underline the importance of careful preservation in regions with layered histories. For now, the Sugarloaf and Elm St. area serves as a poignant reminder of the stories buried beneath modern developments.
Rose Lamberti is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at Niagara This Week.
