Industrial empire

A man of many interests, James Crooks became a wealthy and powerful figure during his lifetime and although his fame is largely attributed to his development of Upper Canada’s first industrial empire and the manufacture of paper, Read more

Originally published in Heritage Happenings, January 1995.

Located at 173 Main Street North in the Village of Waterdown, the Wallace House is one of the earliest constructed houses to be found in the village. Lying just outside the proposed Read more

Originally published in Heritage Happenings, November 1994.

Last Heritage Paper consisted of a letter, one of a series written in 1894, and printed in the Hamilton Evening Times that outlined some of the early history of the village of Read more

Entrepreneur extraordinaire

Ever the astute businessman, James Crooks must have been aware that success might provide him with the opportunity to obtain a provincial paper monopoly. He immediately began construction of a mill downstream from the Darnley Mill, employing Read more

Originally published in Heritage Happenings, October 1994.

Beginning the first week of April 1894, letters outlining some of the early history of the village of Waterdown were printed in the Hamilton Evening Times. Written by the son of an Read more

Originally published in Heritage Happenings, September 1994.

Many of the early pioneering families who came to Upper Canada overcame great hardship and sadness before they became established in their new homeland. There are thousands of stories about these brave Read more

Originally published in Heritage Happenings, April 1994.

One of the early families to settle in East Flamborough Township, the Gallagher family of Lot 8, Concession 6, originally came from Ireland. Previously, stories surrounding Samuel Gallagher, his wife Mary Sullivan, Read more

Crooks’ settles

James Crooks, a prominent Niagara-on-the-Lake merchant, first visited West Flamborough in 1805 looking for property and suitable mill sites. Concerned about deteriorating relations with the United States and the proximity of his businesses to the American border, Read more

Originally published in Heritage Happenings, March 1994.

One of the early families to settle in East Flamborough Township, the Gallagher family of Concession 6, Lot 8 originally came from Ireland. Samuel Gallagher and his wife, Mary Sullivan, with their Read more

Originally published in Heritage Happenings, February 1994.

One of the early families to settle in East Flamborough Township, north of the village of Read more