Celebrate YOUR Community – Stoney Creek
Stoney Creek is best known as the site of the Battle of Stoney Creek – a pivotal battle between a small force of British soldiers and a larger number of American troops in the War of 1812. (more…)
Celebrate YOUR Community – Cayuga
Perched on the banks of the Grand River, Cayuga is well known for its iconic heritage bridge and its drag strip, a hot track for stock car racing, drag racing and motorsports. (more…)
Celebrate YOUR Community – Waterdown
Located in the heart of Flamborough, this historic village was an important mill town from 1800 to the early 1900’s. Today the ‘Victorian Village’ is a vibrant, fast-growing service community. (more…)
Celebrate YOUR Community – Caledonia
Caledonia is a small, picturesque riverside community located on the Canadian Heritage Grand River in Haldimand County.
Population: approx 10,000 (2011)
Geographic location: 10 km south of Hamilton and 10 km north of Hagersville, at the corners of Highway 6 (Argyle St.) and Regional Road 54 (Caithness St.).
Historical facts:
- Established as a community during the Grand River Navigation Company days (circa 1832), Caledonia was once a small strip of land between Seneca and Oneida villages. By the early 1830s the Grand River Navigation System, running between Port Maitland and Brantford, began to take shape. The system’s east and west villages of Seneca and Oneida amalgamated to become Caledonia through the entrepreneurial developments of Ronald McKinnon, considered to be Caledonia’s founder.
- Caledonia became incorporated as a village in 1844 and later as a town.
- In 1974, the town was amalgamated into the new town of Haldimand within the Regional Municipality of Haldimand-Norfolk.
- In 2001, Haldimand and all other municipalities within the region were dissolved and the region was divided into two single tier municipalities with city-status but called counties. Caledonia is now an unincorporated community in Ward 3 of Haldimand County.
- In 2006, the Grand River land dispute involving First Nation land claims brought Caledonia to national attention.
Points of Interest:
The Caledonia Bridge is a nine-span bridge over the Grand River and is the only bridge of its kind in Canada. It is also known as the Grand River Bridge.
The Caledonia Mill was built between 1846 and 1853 and is the last mill of its type remaining in the Grand River Watershed. This huge frame building operated as a flour and grist mill right until the late 1960’s. It is currently under restoration.
The Caledonia Toll House is the third oldest building in Caledonia, after Haldimand House and the Caledonia Mill. The toll house is currently a private residence, and is said to be haunted.
Haldimand House, located in the heart of Caledonia, is one of the oldest and most prominent local landmarks.
The Grand River flows through Caledonia and is truly a “Grand” experience offering activities such as boating, fishing, water skiing, swimming or just relaxing. Leisurely drives along the Grand are a great way to explore the river for a day, a weekend or a week.
The Caledonia Grand Trunk Station was built in 1908. Passenger service ended in 1957 while the express parcel service continued until 1977. CNR used the station as a maintenance depot until 1988. Renovations began in September, 1996 and the station was officially reopened November 27, 1997. Today, the station is once again a busy spot accommodating the office of the Caledonia Regional Chamber of Commerce, a year-round Tourist Information Centre, meeting space for Chamber and other community activities, plus other meetings and displays.
Caledonia’s Trails and Pathways include Chippewa Trail, Kinsmen Park Walkway, Patterson Walkway, Ramsay Walkway, Rotary Riverside Trail and Thistlemoor Park Pathway. www.haldimandcounty.on.ca
Events:
The Caledonia Mill is the home to one of the largest winter light displays in Southern Ontario. The display runs from late November to early January and attracts thousands. The mill is located just downstream from the Caledonia dam.
The Caledonia County Fair is held annually in September at the Caledonia fairgrounds on Highway 54. The fair features livestock shows, home crafts, entertainment, food and the midway. www.caledoniafair.ca
Sources – Caledonia Regional Chamber of Commerce; Haldimand County websites; Wikipedia; Grand River County; photo courtesy of Lynn Adams
Celebrate YOUR Community – Town of Grimsby
Nestled between beautiful Lake Ontario and the majestic Niagara Escarpment, the picturesque town of Grimsby is known as “the gateway between Hamilton and Niagara” and serves as the starting point for touring the Niagara wine region. Grimsby, where the slogan is “Friendly by Nature”, is a town rich in history and heritage, vibrant in arts and culture, and a place where country wineries and seasonal fruit stands feature locally grown products. The downtown core is the heart and soul of Grimsby and offers a variety of specialty shops, bistros and stores for everyone. (more…)
Celebrate Your Community
Village of Lowville
(please note all communities profiled in REALINFO fall within RAHB jurisdiction) (more…)
Celebrate Your Community – Ancaster
Ancaster
Small town charm, beautiful surroundings and upscale neighbourhoods have attracted people to Ancaster since 1792. Today, the historic and picturesque village core – loaded with heritage buildings and homes – remains its primary point of interest. (more…)
Celebrate Your Community – Dunnville
Dunnville is a picturesque community located in Haldimand County along the beautiful southern Ontario shores of the Grand River. (more…)
Celebrate Your Community – Burlington
In 2012, the City of Burlington was ranked #2 in Money Sense magazine’s “Canada’s best places to live” list. (more…)
Celebrate YOUR Community – Town of Dundas
Population – 24,702 (2006 census)
Nickname – The Valley Town
Geographic Location – Nestled just west of Hamilton at the end of Cootes Paradise, and between highways 6 and 8.
Historical Facts
Dundas was named by John Graves Simcoe, Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, for his friend Henry Dundas. Dundas was incorporated as a town in 1847 and is home to Ontario’s longest-running hotel, the Collins Hotel. All buildings east of the Collins Hotel date from 1881 or later, as a fire in 1881 destroyed all wooden structures east of hotel. Buildings in downtown Dundas have been popular as movie sets in recent years.
Events/Points of Interest
Buskerfest – early June, annually
www.downtowndundas.ca/buskerfest-2013.php
A weekend of fun in the heart of Dundas. Top street performers from around the globe entertain and delight through their theatrics, magic and music.
Cactus Festival – third week of August, annually
www.dundascactusfest.ca
The Dundas Cactus Festival began in 1976 and its name recognizes the Veldhuis greenhouses which specialized in cacti – the reason Dundas became known as “the cactus capital of Canada”.
Clara’s Climb
In April, 2013, the top of Sydenham Hill was dedicated to all-time Olympian Clara Hughes – it is now called “Clara’s Climb”. When Clara lived in Dundas between 1991 and 1997, cycling up Sydenham Hill was a significant part of her training regimen for the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996. A plaque will be permanently installed to recognize this location.
The Dundas Valley School of Art (DVSA)
www.dvsa.ca
The Dundas Valley School of Art is an independent, not-for-profit school and a leader in the cultural development of the region. It also plays a vital role in the arts education community. Not to be missed is the annual art auction – usually held in April.
Arts Dundas
www.carnegiegallery.org
Arts Dundas is a four-day celebration of the visual, literary and performing arts in Dundas, and is held annually in November.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAHB Photo Contest
Calling all budding photographers! We are looking for your great photos of the communities within RAHB’s jurisdictional area. Like the photo in this month’s article, one of your photos may be published in Realinfo. Capture the essence of your community, and you will have a chance to win a free MCE course offered at RAHB and bragging rights among your fellow REALTORS®.
Pssst – also take note of what photos are published in the monthly Realinfos over the next months. They “could” be the answers to the contest at the 2014 REALTOR® Connections, Member Services booth. Pay attention now, and you could win!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
Wikipedia, A Brief History and Exploration of Downtown ‘Paradise’ – by Stan Nowak.
Photo coutesy of Dave Zalepa
Celebrate YOUR Community
… a monthly feature highlighting the communities within RAHB. (more…)
RAHB Charity Events
REALTORS® Ride for Heart
RAHB REALTORS®, along with their friends and families, took to the streets on Friday, June 15 in Ancaster, and on Tuesday, June 19 in Hamilton to participate in two Heart & Stroke “Big Bike Rides”. The RAHB team, a blend of REALTORS® from 15 real estate offices throughout RAHB’s market area, rode on a 30-seat tandem bicycle to help raise awareness and funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
RAHB’s participation in the event was organized by RAHB’s Membership Area Representation Committee (MARC). The teams showed their heart and generosity by raising a combined total of $5,735.
“This was a fabulous opportunity for RAHB members to show their support for a great cause,” noted 2012 MARC Chair Tom Peddle.
This was the fifth Celebrate Your Community event offered by RAHB in which members are encouraged to visit a community in the association’s market area and participate in a community event. Previous events have taken place in Dunnville, Cayuga, Grimsby and Hamilton. Each event has also raised funds for local charities and, to date, over $20,000 has been presented to charities in RAHB’s communities.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Big Bike Ride and helped raised funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation!
Charity golf tournament supports HOAP and education
Over 130 golfers and sponsors enjoyed the blue skies over Copetown Woods Golf Club during the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington Charity Golf Tournament on Thursday, June 14. The annual tournament raised $15,250 to support RAHB’s Home Ownership Affordability Partnership (HOAP) and the Karan Barker Memorial Scholarship Fund.
“What a great day,” said Bill Kopac, Chair of the Golf Tournament Task Force. “Not only did participants enjoy a day of golfing and networking, but both our affordable housing program and scholarship fund benefited as well.”
The Top Foursome trophy went to John Pocobene, Todd Barker, David Seburn and Miles Kulik. Other prize winners were Pauline Lewis (ladies’ Closest to the Pin), Chuck Vitanza (men’s Closest to the Pin), Suzanne Boyce (ladies’ Closest to the Rope), Mark Biehler (men’s Closest to the Rope), Collin Maddern, Barb Sukkau, Doug Tunis (first, second and third, respectively, Putting Contest) and Kelly Christopherson (50/50 Draw).
Thank you to our golfers, sponsors and donors who made this another successful tournament.