Hermitage Cascade (Hamilton, Ontario)

Infobox Waterfall
name = Hermitage Cascade


image_size =
caption = Hermitage Cascade
location = Hamilton, Ontario
latitude =
longitude =
coordinates = coord|43.2363319111|-79.9980491023
elevation =
type = Cascade
height = convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on
width = convert|5|m|ft|abbr=on
height_longest =
average_width =
number_drops =
average_flow =
watercourse = Hermitage Creek
world_rank =

Hermitage Cascade is a 4-metre cascade waterfall located in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Its source is Hermitage Creek.cite web|publisher=(www.cityofwaterfalls.ca)| title =Hamilton- Waterfall Capital of the World| url=http://www.cityofwaterfalls.ca/| accessdate = 2008-07-09]

Nearby attractions include the Bruce Trail, Griffin House, Dundas Valley Trail Centre, Hamilton Conservation Authority Main Office, Fieldcote Museum, historic Ancaster Town Hall (built in 1871). There's also a convenience store, gas station, restaurant, motel and retail stores nearby.cite book| title = Hamilton Waterfalls and Cascades: Research & Inventory Report, 2nd Edition| publisher = Hamilton Conservation Authority| date = November 2007]

History

The property on which Hermitage Cascade is found was originally owned by Otto Ives, who bought it in 1833 and moved in with his wife and niece. Coachman William Black fell in love with the girl, and when Ives blocked the marriage proposal, Black went to the property's gatehouse and killed himself. Suicides were rarely given cemetery burials in those days, so he was interred at the nearest crossroads, now locally known as "Lover's Lane" because of the ill-fated affair. It is believed that Black's final resting place is adjacent to property now owned by Chris Ecklund.

George Gordon Browne Leith purchased the Hermitage in 1855. The Hermitage itself was a magnificent place to behold and visit: its ground floor contained an opulent dining room, library, drawing room, and stately entrance all, all furnished with original works of art and the best furniture. Leith spent over 2000 pounds in modernizing the place. After his death in 1901, his daughter Alma bought the estate from the rest of the family and lived there until 1934, when a fire broke out during a party and burned the house down. All that can be seen today is the old gatehouse and the ruins.

Directions

To reach the Hermitage Cascade by car, drive along the Highway 403 and take the Rousseau exit west to Ancaster. Go along Rousseau until you hit Wilson Street, then go left onto Wilson. From Wilson, turn right onto Sulphur Springs Road, then right again at the stop sign. (As of July 2008, there's a construction at Sulphur Springs and Wilson Streets, you can continue on Wilson till you reach Jerseyville Road, then turn right, and then right again onto Lovers Lane. Lovers Lane then turns into Sulphur Springs.) Continue until you see the Hermitage sign on the right. The falls are situated behind the gatehouse. Please stay on this side of the waterfall, as the other side is private property.

If you are coming in from Govenors Road, take Sulphur Springs (careful, it's very twisty and hilly, but a very scenic drive) till it comes to a stop sign at Mineral Springs Road, turn left and it's 50 feet on your left side.

There is a parking lot at the property and this is actually a good place for you to explore many sections of the area by foot via the extensive trail system.

To reach the site by walking trail, take the Dundas section of the Bruce Trail in the "Dundas Valley".

References

External links

* [http://www.brucetrail.org Bruce Trail (www.brucetrail.org)]
* [http://www.cityofwaterfalls.ca Hamilton: City of Waterfalls]

Maps

* [http://map.hamilton.ca/Static/PDFs/General%20Interest%20maps/Overall%20City/WaterfallMap.pdf Hamilton Waterfall Map PDF. (http://map.hamilton.ca)]
* [http://www.hamiltonnature.org/waterfalls/waterfalls.html
]