GRIMSBY BEACH: Niagara ...
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GRIMSBY BEACH:
Noah Phelps’ Legacy
G
rimsby Beach, within reach of the
Niagara Escarpment, lies along the south
shore of Lake Ontario. One of Canada’s
most unique neighbourhoods with
beautifully painted gingerbread cottages, it is
embraced by a vibrant community. It all started
as a Methodist Church Camp in 1859.
30 Niagara Escarpment Views • summer 2021
WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED
BY BRUCE MACKENZIE
EXCEPT WHERE NOTED
The colourful gingerbread
cottages of Grimsby Beach
have been brought back to life
from a decline in the 1930s.
summer 2021 • Niagara Escarpment Views 31
The “sunburst”
feature of
gingerbread under
the peak is common
and found in both
refurbished and
historic houses.
T
oday’s beautiful cottages replaced decorative what would transpire during his 26 years of leadership.
tents that were the first accommodations The campground was first surveyed in 1875 and the tent
for the members of the Methodist revival plots were identified. Not long after, the tents gave way to a
events known as “Chautauquas,” referring to unique and colourful cottage community and even today the
a cultural movement that began in New York deeds for homes refer to the tent plots that they sit on.
State. Leaders like Noah Phelps steered this The church camp became a booming tourist attraction. Steam-
community through an incredible journey. powered ferries started to arrive at the newly built dock in 1876
If not for the collective efforts of dedicated bringing visitors from Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara. Trains
homeowners, Phelps might not recognize and vehicles would bring others from as far away as the U.S.
what he knew as the Ontario Methodist Rules were firm: no alcohol, no foul language and lights out
Camp Meeting Ground on Grimsby’s Lake Ontario shoreline. at 10:30 pm. Sunday was a day of rest and guests were expected
Phelps first visited the property in the mid 1800s and the to attend church services. An immense open-air pavilion, the
first church meeting here was in 1859. After the inaugural “Temple” was built in 1888. It could hold 7,000 people and stood
meeting the property grew into a large campground and 100 feet high with a cupola at the top with windows in it for natural
meeting place for churchgoers. By 1875 the annual weeklong light. It was used day and night for lectures and entertainment.
meetings had turned into summers full of events. Stores, a post office and two large hotels, The Park
In 1874 the Ontario Methodist Church Camp Company and Lakeview, were built. With cottages replacing tents
was formed, and Phelps became its first and only president and a wide variety of visitor attractions being added, the
until his death in 1900. It is doubtful anybody could imagine season for tourists went from spring until fall.
32 Niagara Escarpment Views • summer 2021
The Friesen
family and
their house,
showing a flair
for fashion and
heritage.
One of the
ferries from
across Lake
Ontario at the
dock of Grimsby
Beach. PHOTO
COURTESY OF GRIMSBY
ARCHIVES.
summer 2021 • Niagara Escarpment Views 33
An 1890 view of the Lakeview Hotel which burned down in 1918. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRIMSBY ARCHIVES. Grimsby Beach Fires took their toll. In In 1900, with the passing 1914 one fire took 34 cottages of Phelps, the church camp and another in 1927 took became the Grimsby Park almost 30 more. The Park Company. It continued as a Hotel likely burned in 1914 successful resort attraction and the Lakeview Hotel and by 1907 there were 180 was lost to fire in 1918. cottages. In 1916 the property The architecture was was sold to the Canada unmistakable. Front porches, Steamship Lines and became second-level balconies and known as Grimsby Beach. gingerbread adornments to With each new owner, the the narrow cottages came church morals and values were into fashion and craftsmen diluted, and more investments were strongly sought after by were made in amusements with the cottage owners. Built on a midway, merry-go-round, narrow tent lots, the cottages roller coaster, casino, dance were typically one-and-a-half hall and theatre. In 1924 the storeys with living areas on Grimsby Cottagers Association the first floor, bedrooms on purchased the property from the second, with kitchens in the steamship line and sold the rear. A distinctive feature the lots to the cottagers. was a small balcony off the The steamships stopped bedrooms at the front with in 1929 after almost a 50-year a sunburst design on the run. After 1930 the resort gable end above the balcony. started to lose its lustre and Today, there is a small became a place for residents to but significant collection of find more affordable housing. cottages that have been rebuilt Many cottages with open to reflect the original designs. porches and verandahs had It has been a labour of love walls built to enclose them to and often at great expense for Camp visitors from the early days in front of one of the tents. PHOTO BY J.H. make for larger living spaces. the homeowners to bring a FORD COURTESY OF GRIMSBY ARCHIVES. 34 Niagara Escarpment Views • summer 2021
Sue Anderson at her house, reborn from the 1920s.
OUR KNOWLEDGE IS YOUR POWER!
CALL US FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
summer 2021 • Niagara Escarpment Views 35
Camp crowd in front of Park Hotel and the post office. Note the overflow crowd on the balconies. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRIMSBY ARCHIVES.
Camp visitors waiting for the ferry to arrive. PHOTO BY J.H. FORD COURTESY OF GRIMSBY ARCHIVES.
cottage built in the late 1800s, history. Many were taken Every inch of change on the the 1950s but wasn’t quite
meant for summer use only, by J.H. Ford who operated a home and beautiful garden sure of her memories until
to being year-round homes photographic studio in the receives creative energy her feet took her down the
today. They are beautifully park. His residence still exists and a passion for the past. old path she used as a child.
cared for inside and out. and is now called “Bellview” Sue Anderson moved into Then the memories came
by its owners, the Mackays. her home in 2011. She visited rushing back. She feels she
Preserving History It exquisitely illustrates Grimsby Beach as a child with is really at home now.
Today we are fortunate to have the flair and distinction of her father, involving long Speaking to homeowners
many photos of this unique Grimsby Beach cottages. boat rides from Hamilton in like Bob Friesen, you hear
36 Niagara Escarpment Views • summer 2021
Sandy Shaw
MPP Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas
Committed to
Protecting the Greenbelt
177 King St. W, Dundas, ON L9H 1V3
905-628-2755 SShaw-CO@ndp.on.ca
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updates on our 2021 season
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Call 800-847-3321 for more info or reservations
Grimsby Beach can be reached along Lake St.
west of Bartlett Ave., south of the QEW.
personal stories of what Today’s cottage owners
attracted them to the are concerned about what
neighbourhood and the tomorrow will bring. Recently
surprises they found in the the Town of Grimsby passed
houses when refurbishing was an interim control bylaw to
carried out. His beautifully allow time for a new planning
restored cottage which has study to be completed.
been moved from one lot to Residents hope the plan will
another, appears to have had recognize the Grimsby Beach
a section added on that may history and bring zoning
well have come from another parameters to reflect it.
cottage. When you tear down
walls, secrets are revealed. Bruce Mackenzie’s last article
There is limited parking in Niagara Escarpment Views
for visitors on the outskirts was “The Grimsby Wetlands,”
of Grimsby Beach. Please Spring 2021. Bruce resides in
respect the owners and Grimsby and is a commissioner
their properties; look but on the Niagara Escarpment Golf Cars • Utility Vehicles
don’t touch. They have
spent so much energy in
Commission, vice chair of the
Niagara Peninsula Conservation
Outdoor Power Equipment
preserving the past. Lake Authority and is a member of SERVICE • SALES • PARTS
St. runs through Grimsby the stakeholders committee 154 Upper Centennial Pkwy. (Hwy 20), Stoney Creek
Beach from west of for the Grimsby Beach Land
905.662.2663 | 800.263. 8606 | skywaygroup.ca
Bartlett Ave off the QEW. Use Planning Study.
summer 2021 • Niagara Escarpment Views 37
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