The Village of Waterdown owes much of its existence, layout, former prosperity and name to a young entrepreneur, Ebenezer Culver Griffin, who visited the area following the end of hostilities from the War of 1812 and saw the potential Read more
The following article appeared in the Hamilton Spectator a few days after the successful celebrations of Queen Victoria’s Birthday in Waterdown in May of 1855.
“Dear Spectator, through the medium of your journal permit me to give a brief Read more
North of 11th Concession Road in East Flamborough Township, the land rises quickly and changes to a landscape of rolling hills and valleys that were carved by a glacier as it cut a gap in the Niagara Read more
Situated approximately one mile east of Carlisle on Lots 4 and 5 in Concession 8 of East Flamborough Township, Progreston today is one of the area’s disappearing settlements.
The area was first settled by George Read more
Settlement in East Flamborough Township came slowly.
Even though many of the lots had been awarded to government officials, militia and loyalists by 1800, few came to the area to take up their grants due to the difficulties Read more
The beginnings of the small settlement that developed into the village of Waterdown date from the arrival of Alexander Brown, a retired agent of the Northwest Fur Company who settled on Lot 6, Concession 3 of East Flamborough Read more
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
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
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
Today, only the ghostly ruins of the famous Darnley Mill remain as evidence of the historic past of the small section of the Spencer Creek Valley known as Crooks’ Hollow. Dominated by the endeavours of James Crooks, this part Read more
