As St. Catharines celebrates its 150th anniversary, local comedian and content creator Jacob Bergsma is asking residents a simple question: who are the three most influential people in the city's history?
The project, dubbed the "St. Catharines Big 3," invites the public to nominate figures who helped shape the Garden City over the past century and a half. Bergsma said the idea came after realizing many local landmarks bear familiar names, but the stories behind them aren't always easy to find.
Bergsma says a big part of the project is hearing from residents.
The year-long campaign is being conducted in partnership with the City of St. Catharines as part of its celebrations. Bergsma, known for creating humorous local history content online, says the goal is to make history engaging and accessible rather than treating it like a classroom lecture.
He adds that the City helping with the project is a huge bonus as well.
Unlike a traditional hall of fame, nominations are intentionally open-ended. Residents can suggest anyone they believe had a significant impact on St. Catharines, whether they were born in the city or simply helped shape its development.
Throughout the year, Bergsma plans to produce short-form videos highlighting nominated individuals. Ultimately, the three people who receive the most public support will be named the city's "Big Three" and receive dedicated feature videos exploring their contributions to St. Catharines history.
(Written by: Matt Latour)