The End of the QEW Ghost Ship Era

For decades, commuters on the QEW have looked for the familiar silhouette of the Jordan Harbour "Ghost Ship." Whether you saw it in the morning mist or the evening glow, its disappearance marks the end of a massive chapter in Niagara’s local landscape.

The iconic 42.67 m (140 ft) silhouette of La Grande Hermine before its 2024 removal.
Illustration by SCG NIAGARA

The Final Voyage of La Grande Hermine

The ship wasn't actually an old pirate vessel, but a 1914 steel ferry originally named Le Progrès. While it was built to look like Jacques Cartier's 1535 flagship, this specific hull was "dressed up" in its wooden replica shell in 1991. After serving as a restaurant and even a haunted house, it was brought to Niagara with dreams of becoming a casino in Chippawa—a dream that ended when the owner passed away.

SHAREABLE Tip #22 - The "Toonie Test" for Your Tires!

Forget fancy gauges! In Canada, we have the perfect tire tool right in our pockets. Whether you're driving a hybrid, a sedan, or a heavy-duty truck, this trick works for ANY vehicle on the road.

A Toonie and a little bit of tread—the classic Canadian safety check!
Illustration by SCG NIAGARA

The 10-Second Toonie Test

Take a Toonie and slip it into your tire’s tread groove with the polar bear's paws facing down. While some people look for the letters, checking the rings as shown in the image above is the only way to be 100% accurate every single time.

The Historical Curve of St. Paul Street

Modern-day St. Paul Street in downtown St. Catharines.
By Municipal Affairs and Housing - CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Driving through downtown St. Catharines offers a much different perspective than the straight, rigid grids found in most other Ontario cities. St. Paul Street remains a rare exception, following a winding path that has shaped the city's identity for generations.