A genuine “community of communities”, Flamborough is comprised of many villages and hamlets, including Carlisle, Christie’s Corners, Clappison’s Corners, Copetown, Freelton, Greensville, Lynden, Kirkwall, Millgrove, Mountsberg, Orkney, Rockton, Troy, Sheffield, Valens, Waterdown and Westover.
Population: 39,220 (Census 2006).
Geographic Location: RAHB’s districts: 40, 43, 44, 45 and 46. Most of Flamborough is located on the Niagara Escarpment.
Historical Facts:
- There is evidence of a long history of human occupation in the area, dating back to Paleo-Indian cultures.
- The first Europeans to arrive were the French explorers LaSalle and Joliet, who met near what is now Westover, in 1669.
- United Empire Loyalists arrived after the American Revolution in 1783.
- The Township of Flamborough was established in 1792 and was named after the Flamborough Head, a prominent geographical formation, and the Town of Flamborough in East Yorkshire, England.
- The land was surveyed and organized into townships: East Flamborough, West Flamborough and Beverly. These three townships and the Village of Waterdown made up Wentworth County in 1816.
- With a reorganization of the county system in 1854, Flamborough was divided into two separate townships – East and West Flamborough.
- Flamborough became a major 19th century industrial and residential centre when the Honourable James Crooks the water power from Grindstone Creek and Spencer Creek to run saw mills, grist mills, flourmills and one of the first large-scale paper mills in Upper Canada.
- In 1974, the Hamilton-Wentworth Region was created by joining Hamilton and Flamborough Township, which at that time consisted of East Flamborough, West Flamborough, Beverly and the Village of Waterdown.
- In 2001, the Provincial Government replaced the Regional Government with a new single tier municipality called the City of Hamilton.
Places of Interest:
- African Lion Safari is one of the Ontario’s key tourist attractions, with more than 1,000 animals representing more than 100 species. The park has bred 50 species considered endangered or threatened. http://www.lionsafari.com [Discounted tickets are available in the Realty Shoppe (May to October)]
- The Bruce Trail is Canada’s oldest and longest marked trail, running along the Niagara Escarpment. It provides an impressive wilderness experience for hikers of all levels. brucetrail.org
- Spencer Gorge/Webster’s Falls Conservation Area in Greensville is a significant natural area that contains two waterfalls: Webster’s and Tews Falls. cityofwaterfalls.ca
- Christie Lake Conservation Area is a 336-hectare Niagara Escarpment destination. conservationhamilton.ca
- Valens Conservation Area is a 300-hectare park. conservationhamilton.ca
- Flamboro Downs features harness racing and slot machines. flamborodowns.com
- Flamboro Speedway is a 1/3–mile oval auto racing track where stock car racing is held every Saturday night during the summer. http://flamborospeedway.net
- Westfield Heritage Centre contains over 30 historic buildings on an 840-acre site. http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/welcome-to-westfield-heritage-village
Events:
- Christie Classic Antique Show is held twice a year at Christie Lake Conservation Area. http://christieantiqueshow.ca
- Rockton World’s Fair is an agricultural exhibition held annually on Thanksgiving weekend at the Fairgrounds in Rockton. http://www.rocktonworldsfair.com
Sources: Wikipedia; Flamborough Chamber of Commerce; HPL- Historical Flamborough