Established in 1795, Smithville is a lovely small community which exudes old time country charm. Located in the Township of West Lincoln it is also recognized as being in the heart of Niagara.
Smithville has a population of 3769 (2006 census) and is located 15 minutes south of Grimsby and the QEW, 30 minutes east of Hamilton, 35 minutes west of St. Catharines and Niagara Falls and less than an hour to the Canada/U.S. border. Pearson International Airport and Buffalo International Airport are approximately 1 hour 15 minutes away.
Major businesses downtown include Foodland, Willy’s Flowers & Gifts, Hodgkins True Value Hardware (an old style hardware store), several real estate agents, and many more small shops. Two banks are located in the centre of town – the Royal Bank and CIBC. Recent new businesses include The Sweet Spot where you can purchase delicious baked goods, Serendipity that features beautiful garden and gift items, and The Guitar Loft Music Studio, where you can take music lessons.
A newly renovated Smithville Medical Centre is just down the street from the town centre. Several Chiropractors, Dentists, Massage Therapists and a Reflexologist are also located in town.
Just to the east of the town centre, you will find Bert Vis Flooring and Cabinets, and an automobile Oil and Lube shop. The Village Square Mall includes Canada Post, Vehicle & License Registration, Meester Insurance, Giant Tiger, Home Hardware, Subway, Almatay’s Takeout Restaurant, Gino’s Pizza, Tim Hortons, Touchdown Willy’s Tap and Grill, Furs and Fins pet store, Dollar Village discount store, Curves, the Beer Store, a Liquor Store and a Sunoco gas station. On the outskirts of town going west, there is an Esso gas station, and going north, there is Turkstra Lumber.
For a small town, Smithville has a remarkable number of churches for a population of less than 5,000. You can find a Pentecostal Church, a Roman Catholic Church, a United Church, a Lutheran Church, an Anglican Church, a Presbyterian Church, a Church of Christ, a Christian Reformed Church, a Mennonite Brethren Church, and a Canadian Reformed Church.
Smithville is quite well-known for the annual festival known as Poultry Fest, held annually in June at the Community Centre, and throughout the downtown streets. Smithville continues to hold an agricultural fair on the Labour Day weekend every year, where you will find lots of agricultural competitions, demolition derbies and entertainment for all ages.
Smithville also has a Farmers Market that runs every Saturday morning from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving weekend and features a carefully selected variety of vendors showcasing local produce, preserves, meats, honey, flowers, baking and gift items.
Parks in Smithville include the Smithville Conservation Area, and the Smithville Fairgrounds and West Lincoln Arena (Community Centre). The “Murgatroyd Parkette” is at the corner of Griffin and St. Catharines Street and has trees and benches, and features the town clock (from the original post offices) mounted on a pedestal.
Smithville is located on Canadian Pacific’s Hamilton Subdivision. The historic train station is a local landmark and is the headquarters of the West Lincoln Historical Society.