Cootes North Shore #071209

See also Borers-Cootes #071013 and Cootes South Shore #071104

History

At one time, this property would have been part of 200 acres of land purchased in 1802 by James Forsyth from Robert Hamilton, father of George Hamilton, the city's founder.

The Cootes name comes from Cootes Paradise (the Dundas Marsh), which was one of the early names for the town of Dundas. Captain Coote was an English soldier who was known for hunting at the marsh.

Cootes Paradise, Royal Botanical Gardens Trails

Cootes Paradise, formerly known as Dundas Marsh, is 800ha (2,000 acres) of marsh and forest at the mouth of Spencer Creek near the Dundas Valley on the west end of Lake Ontario, just off Hamilton Harbour (Burlington Bay). Much of the marsh itself is open water less than 1m (3.3ft) deep, although manna grass and cattails grow at the edges. The area is a refuge for at least 100 species of birds during migration, while another 80 species nest in the area. Some of the species you might spot include black-backed gulls, black-crowned night herons, blue-gray gnatcatchers, common moorhens, double-crested cormorants, eider ducks, green herons, marsh wrens, northern mockingbirds, orchard orioles and wood ducks. European cormorants that began moving into the area four years ago have already destroyed all the trees on Hickory Island. Hikers should look for the large platforms that naturalists have built to prevent the birds from coming ashore. This trail guide includes Captain Cootes, Marshwalk, Macdonell, Pinetum Trails, North Shore , Hopkins Trail, North Shore, Arnotts Walk and Chegwin Trails, South Shore, Ravine Road and Calebs Walk, Ginger Valley Trail, and Sassafras Point Trail.

Garlic mustard: Eat it to beat it

Pull it, spray it, burn it. And now a new tactic in the war to defeat public enemy No. 1 -- eat it.

We're talking garlic mustard. Ian Hendry, who runs the Interpretive Centre at the Royal Botanical Gardens, tries to be fair. "I hate to say a plant is evil. It's a plant in the wrong place."

Garlic mustard has been around for a century. It arrived from Europe as a garden herb and medicinal plant. And for decades, it behaved itself.

But in recent times, and it's not completely clear why, it's turned into a tyrant.

It is taking over our forests and crowding out the trillium, the trout lily and other spring flowers. Now it's feared garlic mustard may even hurt Canada's maples.

So Hendry is holding a session on garlic mustard. He's billing it as a chance to learn how to add the muscular weed to your menu. For instance, he'll show how to use garlic mustard to spice up a pasta dish.

He'll show people what the weed looks like and how to avoid spreading it. And he'll tackle the big issue of what can happen when we introduce non-native species. "There's always the potential for unforeseen consequences."

An example he likes is the cane toad. Australia imported it to control agricultural pests. Then the toads started eating everything else in sight.

There's nothing in Australia that can safely eat the big, poisonous toad and its numbers have swelled. Now some stretches of road are downright hazardous due to the slicks formed by squashed toad.

In our own back yard, there's purple loosestrife. It was introduced to North America for ornamental and medicinal purposes.

The weed became a huge problem in wetlands here.

Several beetle species from Europe were found to eat it. But researchers had to make sure the beetles wouldn't chew up wheat crops or cause other damage. Tests were promising and the RBG was one of the first places the beetles were introduced. It's worked wonders.

But no such solution has yet been found for garlic mustard. It is part of the mustard family and its leaves smell like garlic when crushed. (And when dairy cattle eat it, their milk tastes like garlic.)

In year one, it's low growing, with triangular to heart-shaped leaves, with wavy edges. In year two, it grows tall, with small, white four-petaled flowers. They'll bloom in about a week.

Shiny black seeds follow, in beanlike pods. A plant can have up to 800 seeds.

And if you pull that plant after the flower is gone, you're spreading all those seeds to the four winds. Animals spread the seeds. Hikers, too.

The RBG has set up test patches, where they have tried pulling out the garlic mustard at different times of the year. They've tried spraying in these test patches, but the challenge is to find a substance that kills the garlic mustard without killing everything else.

And this past weekend, the RBG conducted a burn at Sassafras Point and Bull's Point. That's an attempt to control introduced species such as garlic mustard and allow the re-emergence of the native oak savannah.

But garlic mustard is especially wily. It produces chemicals that linger in the soil and can kill other plants. "It's basically using chemical warfare," Hendry says.

In tests, maple seedlings were planted in soil where the garlic mustard had been removed two years earlier. Even then, the maples' growth was stunted.

We don't have to go far along the Captain Cootes Trail to find the problem. A carpet of trillium belongs here. But the forest floor has already been occupied. It now belongs to garlic mustard, the silent invader that can't yet be beaten.

Darnley Cascade #071205

(see also Crooks Hollow #071014)

Alternate Names: Stutt’s Falls, Crook’s Hollow Falls

Creek: Spencer Creek

Classification: Cascade

Height: 4 metres/13 feet

Width: 22 metres/72 feet

Cultural History:

An interesting fact about the Darnley Cascade; at 225 metres above sea level, it’s at the highest elevation of any waterfall in the area. But at 4 metres it also has one of the smallest drops.

Darnley Cascade is located in Crooks Hollow, founded by James Crooks, a Scottish immigrant who came to the area in 1805. The Hollow had its industrial beginnings in 1801, when Jonathan Morden built a sawmill on Spencer Creek. James Crooks built the area’s first gristmill, completed in 1813, and named it after his hero, Lord Darnley. By 1829, this area contained the Darnley gristmill and buildings such as a woollen mill, tannery, a distillery, linseed oil mill, cooperage, a general store, clothing factory, foundry, paper mill, agricultural implement factory, log cabins for workers and an inn. The cascade was named after the Darnley Mill, which was destroyed by fire in 1934, leaving only the ruins.

As you look upstream from Crooks Hollow Road, with the mill to your left, you will be able to see the cascade, signs of the former James Crooks dam and the mill race. In the background is the present-day Christie Dam and Reservoir.

Heritage Falls #071128

(see other files for the Dundas Valley Conservation Area and the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail)

Parks on this route:

Warren Park (start)

Tally Ho Drive, Dundas.

Warren Park is a natural area with a walkway.

Sanctuary Park

27 Sanctuary Drive, Dundas.

Sanctuary Park is a neighbourhood park with 2 soccer fields, play equipment, parking, washrooms, and a sloping walkway. The Hamilton Brantford Rail Trail has a trail head here.

Rail Trail notes:

Seven nodes or small parks along the trail: West Hamilton, Sanctuary Park, Dundas Valley, Binkley Road, Old Highway 52, Field Road in Jerseyville, and Brantford Jaycees Trailhead and Parking Area.

Travels from west Hamilton through the middle of the Dundas Valley Carolinian forests, then through rural landscapes to Brantford. Connections to Dundas Valley trails. Biking, hiking, walking, wheelchair and horseback access.

Hermitage Cascade

Creek: Sulphur Creek

Classification: Cascade

Height: 4 metres/13 feet

Width: 5 metres/17 feet

Cultural History:

In 1853, George Gordon Browne Leith bought the Hermitage property. The Hermitage mansion was built in 1855 as a summer home. George Leith died of a congested lung on January 2nd, 1887. During that summer, Alexander Leith, his son, and his wife Mary moved into The Hermitage with Mrs. George Leith. In 1902, Alma Dick-Lauder bought The Hermitage from other surviving members of the family for $5,500. Unfortunately, the home was completely destroyed by fire on October 10, 1934 and was eventually sold out of the family. Only ruins of a once majestic manor exist today, but it takes little imagination to consider what they must have looked like in their heyday. The Hamilton Conservation Authority purchased a portion of the estate in 1972.

There is a romantic story about Colonel Ives’ coachman, William Black, who was also employed to teach Mrs. Ives’ niece how to speak English. William fell in love with the niece and asked for permission to marry her, but the Colonel haughtily refused. Next morning, when the coachman did not appear with the carriage, Colonel Ives went to the stable to investigate and found William Black’s body dangling from the rafters. In those days, a suicide could not be buried in consecrated ground, therefore, according to tradition; William was buried in the corner where Lover’s Lane joined Sulphur Springs Road. Thus, Lover’s Lane got its name. Travelers passing this spot late at night claim that they have heard a sad moaning as if William was mourning his lost love.

At only 4 metres this diminutive hidden treasure is one of the smaller waterfalls in the area, but still worth the trip to see, especially in the spring thaw, or after a heavy rain. To find the waterfall, park in the first parking lot at the Gatehouse (before the Hermitage Ruins) and walk back toward the entranceway. The waterfall is located east of the driveway.

Hike:

Inward route follows the Spring Creek Trail from Warren park to the Trail Centre.

Loop to the Hermitage and Hermitage Cascade back to the Trail Centre.

Rail Trail back to Sanctuary Park and Warren Park.

Rail Trail (Binkley) #071118

Hamilton - Brantford Rail Trail

This is actually two connecting trails, the West Hamilton - Jerseyville Trail maintained by the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority, and the Jerseyville - Brantford Trail of the Grand River Conservation Authority.

The Trail

The West Hamilton - Jerseyville trail was the first to be constructed, in 1993. It begins on the west side of the city, near McMaster University, following the Dundas Valley for 18 km to the community of Jerseyville. The surface is an excellent fine granular. Past Jerseyville the trail is newer, having been constructed in 1996. The surface is of similar construction.

History

The trail was originally the right-of-way of the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railway. The TH&B was incorporated in 1891 and previously operated 110 miles of line in Ontario, providing passenger and freight service between Toronto and Buffalo. It was at one time jointly owned by the Canadian Pacific, New York Central, Michigan Central and Canada Southern Railways.

In 1993, the City of Brantford commenced its Gordon Glaves Memorial Pathwayalong the scenic Grand River.

When opened in 1994 by the Grand River Conservation Authority, the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail was one of the first abandoned rail lines to be converted for recreational trail use in southern Ontario.

In 1996, the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail was completed by the Hamilton & Grand River Conservation Authorities and became Canada's first fully developed, entirely off-road interurban trail.

In October of 1998 these three trails were joined by the SC Johnson Trail, through the generosity of SC Johnson and Son Limited of Brantford, to form a continuous trail system suitable for both hiking and bicycle use.

A major trail system now links the cities of Hamilton, Brantford and Cambridge. These 80 kms of trail form a major component in the southern Ontario loop of the Trans Canada Trail System.

Hamilton to Brantford Rail-Trail

0Km Hamilton Trailhead & Parking Area

3.3Km Sanctuary Park (rest area & washroom in season)

5.5Km Dundas Valley Visitor Centre Trailhead & Parking Area

12.3Km Steam engines used to fight the steep grade from Hamilton westbound to Summit - Observation deck overlooking Summit Muskeg Preserve

12.7Km Copetown Parking Area and crossing of former Hwy. 52 - watch for traffic

18.5Km Jerseyville - Redland Quarries and TCG Materials Trailhead & Parking Area

25.5Km “Duck Under” Hwy 403 beside Fairchild Creek. Thanks again to the Ministry of Transportation for permission to use this bridge and scenic trail diversion to cross their highway. (steep grade for wheelchairs)

26.7Km Bridge crossing of Fairchild Creek

30Km Site of the 1986 Brantford Landslide, which caused abandonment of the railway line on which the trail runs.

32Km Brantford - Brantford Jaycees Trailhead & Parking Area

Hamilton to Brantford RailTrail

The Hamilton to Brantford Rail-Trail is Ontario's first entirely off-road, interurban hiking and biking trail. The Hamilton Region Conservation Authority owns and maintains the trail from Hamilton to Jerseyville, and the Grand River Conservation Authority owns and maintains the trail from Jerseyville to Brantford. Trail users can enjoy 32 kilometres (20 miles) of completely resurfaced trail on the abandoned roadbed of the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railway (TH&B). The railway, affectionately known as "To Hell and Back", provided transportation to communities along its route from 1894. It was officially abandoned in 1988 as a result of a landslide and completed as a Rail-Trail in 1996.

General Trail Description

The Hamilton-Jerseyville section of the trail begins on the west side of Hamilton, near McMaster University and follows the scenic Dundas valley for 18 kilometres (11 miles) to Jerseyville with a long steady climb from kilometre 3.5 to kilometre 12. The Jerseyville to Brantford section is newer and constructed in 1996. The entire trail length is surfaced with stone dust. Posts mark each kilometre from the Hamilton end, and some benches are provided along the trail. The Brantford end of the trail crosses under Highway 403 into Brantford, and connects with Brantford's Gordon Glaves Memorial Pathway through the city. Remember to take plenty of water as there are no stores along most of the route.

Trail Access

There are three formal parking lots for trail users with ample parking for up to 20 cars, and kiosks featuring trail maps and information and railway history.

Brantford: The Brantford Jaycee's Trailhead and Parking Area is located on the eastern edge of Brantford, just south of Mohawk Lake. From Highway 53 (Colborne Street) take Locks Road south. At the bottom of the hill, the road makes a sharp right turn and becomes Mohawk Street. Continue on Mohawk Street to the next right at Greenwich Street. The parking lot is visible a short distance along the left hand side of Greenwich Street. There is an information kiosk and parking for 40 cars. A short extension trail has been built to Mohawk Park, Brantford, where washrooms and a food concession are available during the summer.

Jerseyville: Take Highway 53, east of Brantford. Turn north onto Jerseyville Road. You will cross the trail, but continue to the western outskirts of Jerseyville. The parking area is on the south or right hand side of the road. There is a nearby general store.

Dundas Valley Trail Centre, Dundas: Take Highway 99 east from Copetown. Watch for signs for the Dundas Valley Trail Centre on the south or right hand side. This area is operated by the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority and an admission fee may apply.

Linkages with Other Trails

In Hamilton, the trail links with the City of Hamilton trail and bikeway network.

In Hamilton, the trail also connects with the Bruce Trail at the Dundas Valley Conservation Area.

In Brantford, the trail links with the Gordon Glaves Memorial Pathway which runs along the Grand River through the City of Brantford. The Glaves trail in turn connects wtih the and the SC Johnson Trail from Brantford to Paris which then connects with the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail. The trail has been formally incorporated into the Trans Canada Trail system.

Dundas Valley

Description

This is a re-entrant valley in the Niagara Escarpment. The area is characterized by many forest types on the wide variety of slopes, exposures and moisture regimes. Significant wildlife populations. Various portions known as Spencer Gorge Escarpment Valley (ca. 56 ha), Mineral Springs Forest (ca. 38 ha) and Sulphur Creek Forest (ca. 180 ha)

Vegetation

Spencer Gorge Escarpment Valley:

The vegetation patterns here appear to be transitional in character between those of the valleys of the Niagara and Halton Sections of the escarpment associated features. The slope forests are reported to be a mixture of Acer-Quercus-Tilia-Pinus and Tsuga-Acer-Betula (?) communities; the valley bottom canopy includes elements of either as well as very local terraced forests of Acer-Fagus.

Mineral Springs Forest:

It reputedly has a relatively mature and rich forest which includes several Carolinian species as well as many other species that are typically associated with this habitat and its vegetation. The western half of the area appears to be disturbed and plantains occur all around the area, but its eastern half indeed presents a well developed forest.

Sulphur Creek Forest:

It has generally intermediate to young aged forests on the dry mesic ridge crests (Quercus-Acer-Carya), the mesic valley slopes (Acer-Tilia-Fraxinus) and wet mesic valley bottoms (Acer-Betula-Fagus). There are representative southern plant species such as Sassafras, Hamamelis, and Symplocarpus with a good nesting avifauna.

Dundas Valley:

The Valley contains many species that are found in Canada only within the Carolinian life zone. The varied topography and the resultant soils, slope, moisture and incident sunlight variations, the southern location and the land use history has produced an area with very high biological diversity. Some of the distant communities include: upland deciduous forest, upland (north-facing) coniferous forest, river, floodplain deciduous forest, upland conifer plantation, working and abandoned orchards, farms plus all ages of ecological succession, on a variety of sites, ranging from grass fields, through old fields, young forest to climax forest. There are forests that may never have been logged. As a result of these conditions and the extensive size of the natural forests many otherwise rare and endangered species still survive and prosper in the valley.

Representation

Spencer Gorge Escarpment Valley:

Any talus slope forest patterns do not appear to be well developed; however, there are representative and often well developed escarpment face and rim groves. Unfortunately there is severe disturbance of the escarpment plain communities except in very local and small portions. This valley provides a deep, natural contrast to the surrounding areas; not only scenic splendor is here, but also a significant geomorphological feature and a well developed community pattern.

Landform

Spencer Gorge Escarpment Valley:

This escarpment associated feature in an excellent development of an incised escarpment valley which has two branches behind the escarpment face. It is located to the north of and adjacent to Dundas and is managed by the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority as a natural Conservation Area: The "Spencer Gorge Wilderness Area". The geomorphology of the area consists of a bifurcating, incised, stream cut escarpment valley of the East and West Spencer Creeks. The former branch presents the more typical pattern for the vicinity: that of a small, steep sided water cut valley directly penetrating the escarpment face of limestone and shale bedrocks. The latter stream, however, has a spur from this valley and has meandered to the west producing a varied complement of meander patterns that occur only very locally elsewhere along the escarpment in the Niagara Peninsula. Both of these branches have excellent water falls at their heads that provide excellent displays of the bedrock strata.

Mineral Springs Forest:

This site contains one of the most mature silty loam till slope and valley forests in the Dundas Valley. The physiography presents one small valley with a permanent stream and some seepage which is reported to present a local exposure of the Dolomitic bedrock.

Sulphur Creek Forest:

This site is the most extensive forested silty loam till valley pattern in the Dundas Valley. It encompasses the crest and a major portion of the slope including a series of valleys, permanent and intermittent streams, seepage slopes, bottomlands; no escarpment exposures are evident.

Dundas Valley (ESA):

The Valley resulted from pre-glacial erosion which cut deeply into the Niagara Escarpment. Later the glaciers eroded the surface further and rocky, unstratified material was deposited by the advancing and retreating ice lobes covering the area. The oscillating ice margin created glacial lakes between ice lobes and exposed land spillways, glaciolacustrine deposits and shoreline features in the Valley are part of these depositions of glacial waters. The lower section of the Valley is part of a glacial end moraine with gravelly depositions and intermittent proglacial lake terraces. Stream bank erosion and slippage can be seen in various areas. The middle part of the Valley is a rough area of glacial deposits with a kame and kettle land form, and drainage is blocked in places. The upper section of the Valley is characterized by glaciolacustrine land forms. The sides of the Valley are defined by the Niagara Escarpment which disappears under the deep glacial deposits. The major soil of the area is the well drained Ancaster silt loam, which formed on the ridges and moraines surrounding and separating the ravines of the Dundas Valley. It developed from silty, clay, loam till. Small areas of well-drained Oneida clay loam developed from clay till also occur. In the upper portion of the valley, adjacent to Spring Creek a complex of Grimsby sandy loam and Brant silt loam developed from water-deposited material.

Beamer’s Falls #071114

River Forty Mile Creek

Class Ramp

Size Medium

Height: 45

Crest: 20

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority acquired Beamer Memorial Conservation Area in 1964, to protect and preserve the Niagara Escarpment and the Forty-Mile Creek valley system. The site is home to a variety of Carolinian plants and wildlife.

This Conservation Area has been designated as an Internationally Important Bird Area (IBA) and is widely recognized as the best site in the Niagara Peninsula to observe the annual hawk migration. The lookouts on site offer some of the most breath-taking and panoramic views of the Niagara Escarpment and the shoreline of Lake Ontario.

John and Anna Beamer first settled this property in 1790 where they built a sawmill, powered by the Forty-Mile Creek. Traces of an old quarry that operated in the early 1900’s can still be seen along the west boundary of the Conservation Area, near the brow of the escarpment. In later years a restaurant was located near the waterfalls on the west bank.

The Niagara Escarpment and the Forty-Mile Creek valley system are prominent geological features of this Conservation Area. The Escarpment and area rock were formed from sediment deposits on an ocean floor that covered this area over 400 million years ago. These deposits were compressed over millions of years and formed layers of “sedimentary” rock. The prominent cliffs of the escarpment resulted from river and slope erosion that began over 2.5 million years ago, before the onset of the Ice Age. The landscape was further modified when thick glacial ice sheets advanced and retreated over the area, carving a deep channel into the softer sedimentary rock. Since the last glacial retreat, approximately 13,000 years ago, large volumes of spring melt water continued to erode this channel resulting in the deep gorge of the Forty-Mile Creek.

There are two distinct waterfalls along the Forty-Mile creek which are best observed during high water flows. The upper “cascade falls” located near Ridge Road, is approximately 6 m. (20 ft) high and wide. Further downstream the lower “curtain falls” measures approximately 6 m. high and 11 m. wide.

When first settled, this area was covered in a forest of White Pine, Oak and Hickory. Many of the trees were harvested during settlement in the 1800s’ and milled at the nearby sawmill. Today this area is home to over 300 species of plants including a second growth broadleaf and mixed forest of Sugar Maple, Birch, Red Oak, White Cedar and Hemlock. Such a rich diversity of plants is common to Carolinian Forests in Southern Ontario.

The interior forest at Beamer is home to several songbirds, while the creek and valley system provide habitat for amphibians, fish and turtles such as the Palm Warbler, American Toad, Yellow-spotted Salamander, Largemouth Bass and Eastern Painted Turtle. During the spring migration hawks, falcons and vultures pass over this site as they travel north, to their breeding grounds, from the United States and South America.

As northward migrating hawks encounter the southern shores of the Great Lakes their flight path is deflected in a direction that provides access around the lakes. This is particularly evident for flights around Lakes Erie, Ontario and Superior. Once past the Great Lakes, the birds spread out as they return to their respective breeding territories.

During the spring, from March well into May, the Niagara Peninsula acts as a land bridge between Lakes Erie and Ontario for migrating hawks and may other bird species. Hawks in particular require updrafts that enable the birds to soar and glide, thus conserving energy for the long migratory flight. Updrafts generally occur over land as temperatures increase during the day. The northward moving birds are aided by updrafts created along continental weather fronts that sweep across North America from west to east. As a low-pressure system moves in, winds just ahead of the warm front help migrating hawks move along the Niagara Peninsula. Some hawks are also carried along in the air mass behind the front.

On-shore breezes along the shores of the Great Lakes also play an important role in hawk migration. As the morning sun gets higher and the air mass over land heats up and becomes buoyant, the cooler on-shore breeze penetrates further inland to replace the rising warm air. This condition provides lift above the escarpment face as the breeze is deflected upward. When a moderate on-shore breeze blows toward a moderate prevailing wind, the lakeshore-front created produces puffy white cumulus clouds and, sometimes, spectacular hawk flights with numbers in the thousands.

Beamer Memorial Park is a relatively well known park in the Grimsby area that is famous for the migration of raptors in the spring. Numerous hawk species are found in abundance in spring due to strong updrafts of warmer air over the Escarpment. This waterfall is an interesting example of the ramp form. This type of waterfall occurs where a strong resistant caprock formation is absent, preventing the formation of a "plunge" class waterfall (eg. Balls Falls). Instead, water picks away at the hundreds of thin rock layers at a "relatively consistent" rate, thus forming the ramp. The waterfall is fan-shaped: expanding out from the 3-4 m wide crest to an "apron" perhaps 20 m wide. The waterfall can be particularly pretty for photography, even during low flows, when the river spreads out over the fan, developing thousands of little "micro-falls" suitable for close-up photography.

Upper Beamer Falls is in the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area, near Grimsby Ontario. There is an upper and lower falls. Finding this falls is relatively easy. Exit the QEW at Christie Street. I do not recall seeing any signs for the conservation area from the road. Head south. Continue south (straight) when you reach the intersection with Main Street. You will now be on Mountain Road. Drive up the escarpment, and take the first left, which is Ridge Road. There is a sign for the conservation area at the corner of Mountain and Ridge. There are two parking areas for the conservation area. The first one is not marked, and is on the right side of the road before you cross the bridge over the creek. From here you can easily see both falls. You can get up close to the upper falls from here. You can look over the edge to see the lower falls from above, but be careful, as it is a long way down.

If you continue on the road across the bridge you will find the "official" parking area for the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area. From here there is a trail that leads down into the gorge where you can get a good view of the lower falls.

Beamers Falls

THE SITE: Beamer Conservation Area is located on the Niagara Escarpment, immediately above the town of Grimbsy and about 2 km south of the south shore of Lake Ontario. The conservation area encompasses the steep-sided, north-south gorge of Forty-Mile Creek, which is carved into the escarpment. The 5 m high Beamers Falls is located at the head of the gorge. The north-facing cliffs of the escarpment are exposed. The drier uplands support forests of oaks, hickories, maples and hemlocks, the steep-sided gorge slopes. The cliff faces are predominantly covered by White Cedar, some of which may be centuries old. The escarpment slopes have forests mainly of Sugar Maple and White Ash, but include other Carolinian species. A small abandoned quarry provides habitat for several species of amphibians and reptiles. Grimsby Point, at the northwest edge of the gorge, is an exposed rocky outcrop overlooking the Forty Mile Creek valley and the Lake Ontario plain.

The most common bird species are the Turkey Vulture and the Red-shouldered Hawk. This is likely a reflection of the recent population increase of Turkey Vulture in Canada. Other species recorded in large numbers include Sharp-shinned Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, and Red-tailed Hawk. Beamers is significant as a concentration point for migrating raptors because of its physiography. The Niagara Escarpment is oriented almost parallel to the southwestern Lake Ontario shoreline. In many locations, the cliffs of this escarpment are up to 20 m high. Often on many days in March and early April strong updrafts occur along the cliff rim as a result of the microclimate. The migrating hawks take advantage of these updrafts. The added feature that helps concentrate hawks at Beamers is a change in the orientation of the escarpment. At this point, the distance between the escarpment and the Lake Ontario shoreline is at its lowest. As well, the escarpment surface is at a much higher elevation than the plain. All these features bring larger concentrations of hawks over the escarpment at Beamers relative to other locations along the escarpment. After mid-April, when prevailing winds tend to have a southerly component, birds usually pass over the park in the early part of the day, then pass to the south as thermals form over nearby farmlands.

Over a period from 1981 to 2000, an average of about 14,000 raptors passed over Beamer CA during each spring migration. Of this total, at least two species are generally recorded in numbers greater than 1% of their estimated national population. These species are Turkey Vulture and Red-shouldered Hawk (nationally vulnerable). The two decade average for Turkey Vulture is 1,895 birds, while the 1996-2000 average is 3,312 birds. This is likely a reflection of the recent population increase of Turkey Vulture in Canada. Other species recorded in large numbers include Sharp-shinned Hawk (avg. of 3,668 birds), Broad-winged Hawk (avg. of 3,344 birds), and Red-tailed Hawk (avg. of 2,959 birds). Diurnal migrant waterbirds and passerines, which use the escarpment as a flight line, are seen in some numbers.

Conservation Issues

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority owns Beamer Conservation Area. Since 1975, volunteers have monitored the spring hawk migration, spending 550 hours per season on average, with raptors being counted daily from 1 March to 15 May. The counters use a vantage point located in a clearing at the southwest corner of the conservation area. There are no immediate threats to the migrating raptors, but government cutbacks have placed all conservation areas in the local system under severe stress.

Albion Falls #071024

Falls

Creek: Red Hill Creek

Classification: Classical/Cascade

Height: 19 metres/62 feet

Width: 18 metres/59 feet

Cultural History:

In 1792 a grist mill was erected near Albion Falls in Barton Township by William Davis. Not far from the grist mill, a saw mill was also built to serve a small but growing community. This community hosted three hotels, a general store and a blacksmith shop. The grist mill changed hands a half dozen times over the years, but by the early 1900s the small vibrant village called Albion Mills was all but forgotten. Albion was a poetic version of the name “Britain”. Not far from the original location of the mill in King’s Forest Park is one of the mill stones with a commemorative plaque. Albion Falls was once seriously considered as a possible source of water for the Hamilton. Rocks from the Albion Falls area were used in the construction of the Royal Botanical Gardens' Rock Garden.

The ravine at Albion Falls has a “Lover’s Leap” legend. The early 19th century story tells of young Jane Riley, disappointed in love with Joseph Rousseau. She stood at the top of a steep cliff not far from the thundering Albion Falls and flung herself to the bottom 100 feet below. The steep drop has since been dubbed "Lovers' Leap".

Lover's Leap

The ravine at the Albion Falls has a legend of the Lover's Leap. The story is this: Early in the nineteenth century young Jane Riley, disappointed in love with Joseph Rousseau, stood at the top of a steep cliff not far from thundering Albion Falls and flung herself to the bottom 100 feet below. The steep drop has since been dubbed "Lovers' Leap" and many tales have grown up about the suicide. The event is recorded in two lines (which are all that are available) of a poem written by a certain Slater at the time of the sad occurrence:

Alas, poor Jane Riley,

for Joseph she did die

By jumping off that dizzy brink

full sixty cubits high.

Joseph's mother said: "Let the blame rest on my shoulders". Some years later, when in apparently good health, she suddenly shrieked: "Jane's hand is on my shoulder," and fell dead on the floor. Jane had evidently taken her at her word.

There is another version of the story that is told: A young woman of the neighbourhood had fallen in love with a young farmer, a near neighbour. But the young man did not love the girl. To make things worse, he fell in love with another girl and married her. This drove the heroine of this story to distraction. One morning she walked out with a young lady companion. She said not a word to indicate her awful purpose; but, when she arrived at the precipice, she leaped into the abyss and disappeared from the view of her horror stricken companion. Some men who were working in the ravine below saw her fall. They said that as the unfortunate girl plunged swiftly down feet foremost, her clothing formed a parachute and checked her fall. Finding that she was dropping too slowly to accomplish her suicidal purpose the girl reached down, collapsed the parachute and went down like a shot upon the rough and broken rocks below. When the men reached her, they found her poor mangled body still alive, but she was unconscious, and although she lived an hour, she never spoke again.

In the 1940's, there was a fatal accident at Lover's Leap. A young girl died when a light truck left the road, went through the fence, and plunged to the valley below.

Buttermilk Falls

Creek: Red Hill Creek (tributary)

Classification: Ribbon

Height: 23 metres/75 feet

Width: 8 metres/26 feet

Ownership: City of Hamilton

Flow of Water: Seasonal

The flow of water over the falls for much of the year is either non-existent or a trickle, so it is best viewed during spring thaw or after a heavy rainfall. Located near Albion Falls, Buttermilk Falls is a just short walk from Oak Knoll Park, where visitors can view the Buttermilk Falls Gorge. Buttermilk Falls is a small waterfall entering a deep gorge. Visitors to the falls are also offered a beautiful view of the Red Hill Valley.

Looking out over the valley, one can only imagine what the flow of water once must have been to carve out the large gorge. Settlers coming to this escarpment area cleared the surrounding lands for their farms and homes, which redirected water flows in the creek and over the falls.

Albion Falls is one of the largest of a number of waterfalls in the greater Hamilton region. The waterfall is composed of two very steep ramp class falls. Each waterfall is perhaps 7 to 8 m in height, falling at an angle of about 80 degrees. A small ledge of thicker dolostone separates the two falls. Large blocks of dolostone litter the base of the waterfall, having broken off of the massive layers found further up the stratigraphic sequence.

Through the Hamilton area the Niagara Escarpment lies within the Carolinian Zone, a unique region with more species of plants than any other forest region in Canada. This region is also home to many bird and animal species, some of which are vulnerable or threatened.

Near Albion Falls and Buttermilk Falls, White Oak, Red Oak, Bur Oak and the rare Chinquapin Oak dominate the dry deciduous woodlands along the escarpment rim. The shrub layer includes Grey Dogwood, Round-leaved Dogwood, Witch Hazel, Chokecherry, Bush-Honeysuckle, New Jersey Tea and Lowbush Blueberry, along with the regionally rare Soapberry. A number of rare or hard to find grasses, sedges and forbs grow on the dry cliff areas. These include Hairy Goldenrod, Tall Brome, Broad-leaf Panic Grass, Slender Satin Grass, Closely-covered Sedge, and Red-seeded Sedge.

The forested lower talus slopes of the Escarpment include deciduous trees such as Sugar Maple, Black Maple, White Ash and Butternut. Eastern Hemlock can be found on the cooler north facing slopes. Sparse shrub cover within the forest includes Alternate-leaved Dogwood, Red-berried Elder, Witch Hazel and Bladdernut. Groundcovers such as Wild Ginger, Green Violet, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Smooth Rock-Cress and a variety of ferns thrive in these moist, rocky forest areas.

The Southern Flying Squirrel, at its northern limit in Southern Ontario, has been recorded along this section of the Escarpment. This shy, nocturnal animal nests in tree cavities and glides from tree to tree using webbed membranes that extend between its neck and limbs. Other significant species also found in this area are Red-backed Salamander, Smooth Green Snake, Turkey Vulture and the provincially rare Coopers Hawk.

Mill

European settlement began here in 1792 with William Davis (1741-1834), a United Empire Loyalist who left North Carolina to fight alongside the British in the American Revolution. Davis was granted 2300 acres in Barton and Saltfleet Townships including 500 acres around Albion Falls.

Davis’ estate included a tannery, orchard, distillery, general store, saw mill, and grist mill, located on the east side of the falls. The millstone located in this park commemorates the milling history of the area. (see pictures) John Secord, the father of Miss Laura Secord (made famous for warning the British of the American troop movements during the War of 1812), purchased the gristmill in 1814. It operated until 1907 and was demolished around 1915.

Mill Stone Plaque

“This milling stone is all that remains of Albion Mills. The first mill, built about 1795 by WM. Davis, contributed to the area’s economic development. Settlers came and the land was cleared. Many of their early homes are within a short walking distance of this stone, and still occupied by their descendants.

The mill, three floors high was situated on a flat rock shelf half way down the gorge beside the falls. One can still discern the foundations of the mill, wheel pit, and across the road the mill pond.

This stone is dedicated in grateful recognition of the part played by these early settlers in building our nation.”

Albion Mills is reported to be the first place that natural gas was discovered in this part of Ontario. The natural occurring sulphur gas that emanated from the rock creek bed was used to light the gristmill for over 100 years. It is said that, during periods of low water, the sulphur spring can still be seen bubbling up from the creek bead.

There is extensive evidence of aboriginal occupation of this area of the Niagara Escarpment. Not far from Mount Albion there as been documentation of a Paleo-Indian site dating back 11,000 years to a time just following the retreat of the continental glacier when herds of caribou and mastodon likely roamed the Red Hill Creek Valley.

Red Hill Valley

Located in east Hamilton, the Red Hill Valley is the largest urban park in Ontario. It is the only remaining natural corridor linking the Niagara Escarpment in the south to Lake Ontario shoreline in the north. Although most of the 640 hectares is forest, the valley also contains the Red Hill Creek, a provincially significant class one wetland, and a number of environmentally note-worthy areas. The escarpment portion of the valley is recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations.

After crossing the escarpment at Albion Falls, Red Hill Creek flows seven kilometres before emptying into Hamilton Harbour at Windermere Basin. The steep, red clay cliffs, which provide its name, are visible south of King Street and north of Queenston Road. Red Hill's tributaries also feature scenic waterfalls more than 20 metres high. Buttermilk Falls is visible beside Mountain Brow Boulevard, while Felker's Falls can be accessed from Paramount Drive in upper Stoney Creek. These are both ribbon falls, emptying into spectacular bowl shaped cavities.

The flora and fauna of the Red Hill Creek Valley

Host to more than 1,000 species of flora and fauna, the Red Hill Valley is rich in biological diversity. In 1995, the Hamilton Naturalists' Club conducted a biological inventory of the valley which included surveys of breeding and migrating birds, aquatic life, reptiles and amphibians, butterflies and moths, mammals and plant species. Some highlights of this inventory are described below.

Birds

During the spring and fall migration periods, thousands of individual birds of over 175 species can be seen in the valley. In the forested areas of the valley, small birds, such as warblers, flycatchers and thrushes, can be seen. These birds use the woodlands to rest and feed on caterpillars and other insects. These birds depend on the valley during their migration because it provides them with a variety of habitats and a natural corridor through the heavily developed urban area at the head of Lake Ontario.

The valley provides breeding habitat for many species, including the provincially rare Cooper's Hawk and the nationally rare Carolina Wren.

Fish

The Red Hill Creek has been identified as a significant spawning stream for migratory fish, such as White Sucker, Rainbow Trout and Chinook Salmon. A total of 23 species inhabit the creek during some part of their life cycle. Other significant species include Northern Pike, Brown Trout and the regionally rare Three-spined Stickleback.

Reptiles and Amphibians

As you journey through the valley keep your eyes and ears open for its 11 species of reptiles and amphibians. Among the species you can find are Red-backed Salamander, American Toad, Northern Leopard Frog, Midland Painted Turtle and the Eastern Garter Snake.

Mammals

There are at least 24 mammalian species living in the valley. While hiking through the valley you may see Mink, Coyote, Red Fox, Beaver, White-tailed Deer, four different species of bats and Southern Flying Squirrels.

Plants

There are close to 600 plant species in the valley, representing 22 per cent of Ontario's native flora. About 20 of these species are considered rare in Hamilton including Chinquapin Oak, Soapberry and Hispid Goldenrod. The forest area along the Niagara Escarpment section of the valley contains a mix of oak, maple, hemlock, birch, ash and pine.

Restoration

Due to their close proximity to a large urban area, the valley and the creek have been affected by human neglect leading to poor water quality and impoverished habitat. However, in 1995 the Red Hill Revitalization Project was begun. The project was funded by the Province of Ontario and co-ordinated by the Hamilton Conservation Authority and the City of Hamilton. The goal of the project was to restore the Red Hill Valley to a vital, functioning ecosystem. With the help from volunteers and the City of Hamilton staff, the cleanup of the valley is ongoing.

Red Hill Valley Parkway

The Red Hill Valley Parkway (popularly called the Red Hill Creek Expressway) is a municipal expressway running through Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, connecting the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway to the Queen Elizabeth Way near Hamilton Harbour. It is a four-lane freeway currently under construction and expected to be completed in 2007.

Its construction was a controversial political issue during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. Many opponents criticized the potential environmental damage of the project, while asserting that the chief beneficiaries of the expressway will be long-distance truckers, and land developers on the Hamilton Mountain. Opponents also take issue with the city spending $220 million to build the expressway. Supporters of the expressway highlight the possible transportation and economic benefits to the city that the new highway will provide. Proponents also assert that care is being taken to ensure that the Red Hill Valley will be preserved and environmentally improved from its current situation.

The freeway, combined with the existing Lincoln Alexander Parkway, will complete a freeway bypass south of Hamilton's urban core. Supporters had argued that the highway was the only viable alternative to the congested roads of Highway 403 and QEW Burlington Skyway Bridge, and that completing the Parkway would divert the growing truck traffic off city streets in southern and eastern Hamilton. In particular, the 1990s reconstruction of the Freeman Interchange (QEW-403-407) resulted in a low capacity loop ramp for QEW Toronto-bound to 403 westbound traffic, increasing the need for a bypass of this junction altogether. In addition to connecting to the Lincoln Alexander Parkway, there are plans to extend the Red Hill Creek Parkway to the Mid-Peninsula Highway further south. The interchange with the Lincoln Alexander Parkway and Mud Street has been designed to allow the Red Hill Creek Parkway to be extended south with little modification.

The Red Creek Expressway's construction was a contentious political issue during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. It was strongly backed by the provincial governments of Bill Davis and David Peterson. In 1990, citing environmental concerns, the newly-elected administration of Bob Rae withdrew their financial commitment for the expressway the project, which prompted a lawsuit from the regional council. Late in his term, Rae proposed a more limited construction along the Red Hill route. His plan to widen existing arterial connections was rejected by Council as insufficient and "too slow" due to traffic signals and stop signs. The succeeding government of Mike Harris restored funding support to a more comprehensive plan.

The expressway is expected to open for traffic in Fall 2007.

BALL'S FALLS CONSERVATION AREA #070926

DIMENSIONS

* Ball's Falls consist of Two Waterfalls and a bedrock gorge where Twenty Mile Creek cascades over the Escarpment.

· Surface Area: 218 Acres of land.

· Basin Area: Ball's Falls (upper)-355km sq, Ball's Falls (lower)-355km sq.

· Elevation: Ball's Falls (upper)- 35ft, Ball's Falls (lower)- 90ft.

SIGNIFICANT FEATURES

ECOLOGICAL

BALL'S FALLS IS A NATURAL CORE AREA LOCATED ON THE NIAGARA ESCARPMENT

Biota:

· Plant species: Ball's Falls conservation area is home to 471 species of vascular plants including Wild Sarsaparilla, Green and White Trilliums, Wild Ginger, Wild Geranium, Virginia Bluebells, Canada Yew, Arrowhead, Wild Leak, Asparagus, Wild Yam, Red Mulberry, Wild Columbine, Canada Anemore, Chokecherry, Virginian Creeper, St. John's Wort.

· Tree species: Ball's Falls lies within what is known as the deciduos forest zone. Hardwoods mixed with coniferous trees predominately characterizes this area. Species include Eastern Cotton Wood, Butternut, Black Walnut, Shagbark, Hickory, White Oak, Tulip Tree and Slippery Elm.

· Animal species: Ball's Falls is a provincially significant warm water fishery. Twenty Mile Creek has a variety of species such as Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Grass Pickerel, Rock Bass, Green Sunfish, Creek Chub and Pumkinseed. Within the Ball's Falls area there is also a presence of wildlife including birds and waterfowl such as Robins, House Sparrows, Cardinals, Mallards, and Killdear to mention a few.

· Rare species: Ball's Falls is a habitat for rare tree species including Sycamore, Sassafras and Pignut Hickory.

Geomorphology:

Ball's Falls is recognized as a unique and outstanding Geological feature. The lower falls have the following formations:

1. "Irondiquoit Formation: Crystalline crinoidal limestone forming the lip of the cataract and acting as a resistant caprock.

2. Reynoles Formation: A thick to thin bedded dolomite with dark grey shale partings.

3. Thorold Formation: A green-gray, cross bedded sandstone with green shale partings; these units intermingle with the underlining red sandstones and shales of the Grimsby formation.

4. Grimsby Formation: Red sandstones and shales which blend in the overlying Throld Formation; the lower half of this unit is mostly red shale.

5. Power Glen Formation: Green-Gray siltstones alternating with shale bands, this unit is exposed at the base of the waterfall and exposures continue downstream for approximately 95m

The upper falls have the following formations:

1. "Decew Formation: A fine-grained, grey dolomite which shows conchoidal fracture patterns on a weathered surface.

2. Lockport Formation: Fine-grained, crinoidal, grey-brown dolomite which is the cap rock for the cataract.

3. Rochester Formation: Dark grey shale forming the base of the cataract; it has a blocky, weathered appearance

Hydrogeology:

Twenty Mile Creek has the largest drainage area of all creeks emptying into Lake Ontario in the Niagara Peninsula. Ball's Falls to Lake Ontario measures approximately 4 miles. In the summer months the flow of water is almost non-existent, but during the spring there is an enormous volume of runoff, which can be observed rushing over the falls. The mean annual discharge of the upper falls is 3.75 m cubed/s.

Climate / microclimate:

With Lake Ontario to the North and Lake Erie to the South the Niagara Peninsula has one of the mildest climates in Ontario.

HISTORICAL

Ball's Falls Conservation Area is a Historical Park. The discovery and settlement of Ball's Falls resulted indirectly from the American Revolution. The remaining colonies who remained loyal to the British, migrated North to Upper Canada in search of new homes. On October 13, 1807, 1200 acres of land was sold to John and George Ball. Thus begun the Ball tenure of these historic lands which lasted for more than a century and a half. Today the area is still recognized by that very name, Ball's Falls.

Archaeological:

The remains of an early nineteenth century red earthenware pottery are located on an undeveloped extension of the Ball's Falls Conservation Area Land Parcel (p.303) During the period of 1976 to 1980 a pottery excavation project was conducted. Numerous pottery sheds were revealed from the dig.

Land use history:

The area's land use history is diverse. In 1809, a grist mill was built for the inhabitants of Louth for the grinding of their grain. This mill as built by George and John Ball is the same one that stands today. The labour required to build the mill by hand, proved the necessity of a sawmill. The coopers shop was the next development. This shop produced the barrels needed for shipping the flour processed in the Grist mill. On the west bank of the cruk, the blacksmith's shop was built. The blacksmith created the necessary ironware to keep things running smoothly; made shoes for horses and the hoops for coopers barrels etc. In the early 1830's a five storey wooden woollen mill was built. The woollen mill was the largest project at Ball's Falls. It employed a large number of people who lived near by. Houses were built on either side of the creek. The original 110 acres of this escarpment property was sold to the Niagara Conservation authority in 1962 by Mr. Manly Ball.

CULTURAL

The Niagara Conservation Authority purchased this site in order to protect and provide public access to the two cataracts at Ball's Falls and to preserve the remaining heritage resources.

Education / Interpretation:

At the time of the purchase of Ball's Falls, a number of features of historical interest included:

1. The original flour and Grist mill built between 1807-1810

2. The site of a saw mill built in 1816

3. Partial remains of a woollen mill built in 1824

4. The second Ball home built in 1846

5. A barn built in 1880. (Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, 1983)

These existing historical resources have provided the foundation to develop the present education/interpretation programme. The documentary nature of the Ball's Falls settlement of the area authenticates and compliments a programme which focuses on pioneer life and its dependency on existing natural resources.

Architectural Heritage:

The Ball's Falls site contains the Ball home which was built in 1850. It is a Georgian Style of architecture.

Ghost Town

Ball's Falls, Ontario, is ghost town that dates back to the early 1800s. John and George Ball were among the soldiers who received land for remaining loyal to Britain during the American Revolutionary War. 1200 acres (4.9 km²) of land was awarded to the Ball brothers in October 1807. By 1809, they had already built a grist mill at the lower falls, and a saw mill was located at the higher falls.

To ship the flour ground by the mill the industrious brothers created a coopers shop to produce barrels, followed by a blacksmith's shop to produce hoops for the barrels. By the 1840s, the area became known as Glen Elgin and included a five story mill for processing wool, two lime kilns and other industries.

In the 1850s, the Great Western Railway siphoned all further commerce away from Glen Elgin, and the town was gradually abandoned. In 1962, Manly Ball sold an area of 110 acres (0.45 km²) to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

On October 13, 1807, brothers George and John Ball purchased 1200 acres of land. This was part of 1500 acres of crown land granted at this site to United Empire Loyalist, Thomas Butler and family members in 1803.

The Ball family remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution (1776-1783), with Jacob Ball and his elder sons joining the fighting corps known as Butler’s Rangers. Following the American Revolution, Jacob Ball and his family, like other United Empire Loyalists, were forced to flee their home and potash works in the Mohawk Valley, near Albany, New York. In recognition of their loyalty to the British Crown and personal losses suffered during the conflict, the Ball family was issued Crown land grants in Niagara by 1783.

The rich well-forested land and then abundant waters of the Twenty Mile Creek, provided a source of power for the Ball brothers to operate the flour, saw and later woollen mill. The Ball’s constructed these mills to provide much needed materials for the growing number of settlers in the area.

Ball’s Four & Grist Mill

George and John first built a flour and grist mill, with George listed as a Miller on the original deed. By 1810 the three-storey structure was in operation. The mill assumed major importance during the war of 1812, supplying flour to British regiments. The British placed the mill under military guard to prevent its capture or destruction by the Americans.

Ball’s Sawmill

In 1816, the Ball brothers built a saw mill at the edge of the lower falls. Surrounding forests were harvested and the mill provided much of the plank and timber for the bridges built in the area. The sawmill ceased operation in the early 1900’s.

Ball’s Woollen Mill

In 1824, George Ball constructed a five-storey woollen mill ¼ mile upstream on the west bank of the Twenty near the Upper Falls. Robert Gourley in the “Statistical Account of Upper Canada” Vol. 1 1822, described the Twenty Mile Creek in the 1820s:

“Twenty Mile Creek is quite navigable to the centre of the township (Louth Township) for boats of 20 tons burden. This creek abounds with fine fish, say salmon, bass, pike, pickerel, eels, millets, suckers, perch and many fine fish”.

Plans for the Future

By 1840, George Ball’s son, George P.M. Ball, built several homes and a large boarding house on this site to accommodate the mill workers and other village residents, such as a blacksmith, butcher, cooper, tailor and bookmaker.

As time passed, many a settler in early Niagara made their way to this property. The barrels of flour, smoked meat, yards of cloth and sawn lumber, were only a few of the many supplies that necessitated a stop at Ball’s Mills or Louth Mills, as it became known.

In 1849 George P.M. Ball hired a surveyor to draw up plans for a regular sub-divided community to be named Glen Elgin. Glen Elgin was never officially incorporated as a village and the ownership of the land in the survey remained in the Ball family for many years.

Glen Elgin reached its peak by 1850 and George P.M. Ball never realized his dram of sub-dividing. He was powerless to stop the forces that would result in the decline of the village.

Ironically, the escarpment location that was so favourable to the settlement in 1807, caused both the railway and major roadways to choose more favourable terrain below the escarpment. Expansion of the Welland Canal also spurred the growth of other villages and more modernized industries appeared. Glen Elgin, like many small hamlets, fell victim to economic and technological change.

Balls Falls Conservation Area offers lots of opportunities for the photography buff. The falls is a beauty, although you should be aware that Twenty Mile Creek can dry up completely during mid-summer droughts, making for a real disappointment. At about 27 m in height, Balls Falls is one of the larger waterfalls in the Golden Horseshoe region (unless the river has dried up!), and after Niagara, is surely the most visited in the Niagara Peninsula. The park is fairly well developed, with a large parking lot, picnic tables and a small pioneer village of some half dozen buildings. Still, the natural beauty of the area hasn't been disturbed too much. After parking your car, walk across the road and along the short footpath to the viewing platform located beside the old mill buildings.

Leaving the viewing platform, you can walk over the road bridge and through the grassy field on the west (left bank) side of the gorge. There is a footpath leading into the forest that eventually follows the gravel road, and ultimately takes you down into the lower portions of the gorge. There are some nice cascade sections below the main falls, and you could spend a few hours exploring this portion of Twenty Mile Creek. The trails become quite rugged, but are beautifully shaded by large Hemlocks and Cedars. Bedrock is exposed for several hundred meters downstream from the main falls, and a few large rock slides can be explored.

Many of the various Silurian and Ordovician rock strata of the Niagara Peninsula are exposed in the gorge. The main Balls Falls plunges over the Irondequoit limestone, which is a resistant layer overlying several weaker shale and sandstone units (Reynoles, Thorold, Grimsby, Power Glen formations). The upper falls is formed by the Lockport dolostone, which is the same unit that forms the crest of Niagara Falls. The site was originally settled in the early 19th century by John and George Ball. They established grist, saw and woollen mills here, and for some time, the site was a local center for the newly colonized area. The settlement declined in importance when it was bypassed by the railway, which presumably couldn't find an easy way up the escarpment. Many of the pioneer buildings on the site can be visited, although you should check for visiting hours and dates.

The Woollen Mill

In 1824, George Ball began construction of a five storey woollen mill situated on a 60 foot high bluff along the west bank of the Twenty Mile Creek near the Upper Falls. Water was diverted to by-pass the Upper Falls and channelled into a raceway excavated into the side of the hill to the west of the mill. The gradient of the natural terrain was sufficient to obtain a water supply for power without constructing a dam.

The mill is thought to have housed 8 looms that produced woollen cloth and yarns for local and export markets. Within its first years of production George Ball leased the factory to several tenants, among them Jacob Snure, who later played a large role in the settlement of the Village of Jordan. Jacob Snure’s advertisement in the Farmer’s Journal, St. Catherines 1829 sheds light on the woollen mill’s operation.

The Woollen Factory

At the Little Falls, on the 20 mile creek

Formaly (sic) occupied by Mr. James Tompson, has been rented by him to the subscriber for the term of ten years; and he, therefore begs leave to inform his friends and the public, that he intends continuing the business, in all its various branches, on as good terms as at any other works in the province. CLOTH will be kept constantly on hand, to exchange for good clean WOOL in the Fleece, on liberal terms.

WOOL CARDING and CLOTH DRESSING, executed as usual in a work-manlike manner and on accommodating terms.

Jacob Snure

Louth, January 21, 1829