Note: Some minor changes have been made to the article to eliminate the poor grammar and repetition. A full copy of the article can be read at the Archives.Continuing a series of local history as recorded in newspapers – this is a continuation of the last Heritage Paper.
From The Hamilton Spectator, Monday July 15, 1946
“Waterdown has its famed beauty spots. Memories of early days linger about the old Snake road, with its 125 twists and turns in less than five miles. It was surveyed in 1853 by James Kent Griffin, and has always been one of the most picturesque drives in old Ontario, with its toll-gate at the bottom near the Valley Inn. The scenery is enchanting, especially during the autumn when the leaves are changing colour. It is sure that if any attempt were made to alter it or straighten out any of its curves, even for safety’s sake, a great cry of protest would arise from all who have loved it in times past.
Another beauty spot is the little park-like space at the top of the falls. Alexander Robertson first built a mill there but it was burned and lay in ruins for a long time. Then a basket factory on the same site was run by John Slater. Later came Alfred Palmer to greatly enhance the beauty of this site and W. Rolph Barnes, who has a sand and gravel business nearby.
Another man who thought highly of the Waterdown countryside was the Honourable Adam Fergusson, who built up a notable stock farm below the ridge east of the village. Mr. Fergusson was a Scotsman who came out to improve his condition in the new world and incidentally did much to improve the country of his adoption. He became the founder of the town of Fergus and with some other men of vision was instrumental in promoting the annual fair that developed into the great Canadian National Exhibition. His lovely residence, Woodhill, still stands in somewhat altered form and is occupied by Captain W. Spence.*
Three or four miles northeast of Waterdown lies the pretty little sheet of water called Lake Medad. This is not an Indian name, as one might suppose, but embalms the memory of one, Mr. Medad Parsons, whose farm bordered on the lake. The place has always worn an air of mystery, for which there are several reasons. The dark evergreens fringing the shores do not leave many openings where a visitor may safely approach the water’s edge and when this edge is reached it is found to consist of ooze into which it would seen easy to sink out of sight. Incidentally, this black mulch is now known to be the perfect soil for raising celery and other vegetables.
Lake Medad is considered to be a mysterious place. A rumour had been circulated that if a person drowned in it, the body would never be seen again. It would not float. This has been disproved. The lake is mysterious in that while known to be fed by several creeks, it apparently has no outlet, yet always keeps the same level. This has led observers to suppose that it must possess an underground outlet to the bay.”
© The Waterdown-East Flamborough Heritage Society 2000, 2023.
Editor’s Note:*The Honourable Adam Fergusson’s home was the victim of arson, July of 2020.
