Grimsby Park

Grimsby Park began in the early 1800's when John Bowslaugh inherited a large amount of farm land from his grandfather. Being from a religious Methodist background, in 1846 Bowslaugh offered his land for large Temperance gatherings or a 'soiree'. These meetings were quite popular as over 2000 people attended. The gatherings not only served as social functions but as an alternative for people who had no place to worship.

The land offered a beautiful beach on the lake, a pasture for horses, large fir trees and more than 100 varieties of nut trees. A nearby spring provided fresh water.

When the Hamilton Methodist Church seperated into Hamilton and Niagra districts in 1859, the Niagra chapter needed a permanent place to assemble. John Bowslaugh again offered up his land which the Methodists had been using. The Niagra chapter graciously accepted the land. Initially there were no permanent structures. Torches provided light while benches provided a place to sit.

Eventually it became obvious that a more permanent arrangement would be necessary. To accomplish this, in 1874, the Ontario Methodist Campground Company was formed. The company sold shares to the public for $25 and bought the campground portion of the Bowslaugh property that was now being referred to as Grimsby Park.

Over 50 cottages were built, many of them by Bowslaugh's brother Edward who happened to own the Grimsby Planing Mill. The homes were constructed over the original tent lots and were therefore quite close to one another. These furnished homes were luxurious for they offered a small balcony off the bedroom and contained decorative fretwork on the exterior woodworking. The homes were referred to as 'gingerbread' cottages and looking at them today, you can clearly see the resemblance.

The Great Western Railway's tracks ran past the Bowslaugh property and created a stop for park residents. With permanent housing, many of them became seasonal residences for the summer. A train station was constructed and bus service was added by 1888.

Grimsby Park had certainly come a long way since the days of benches and torches. Now they had the luxury of boating, fishing, picnicking, seasonal camping and archery.

The Methodist Campground Company ensured that the cottagers kept their homes in good shape. Residents were not allowed to remove fencing or cut down trees. Foul language and alcohol were not permitted and a curfew of 10:30 PM was in place six days a week and Sundays were strictly for rest. All residents were expected to attend church service on Sundays. By 1877 constables were added to ensure that the Methodist rules were abided by.

In 1884 a bell was installed in the garden area that also contained a moat. The bell was used to call the residents for daily worship or other social events. For this reason the area became known as Bell Park.

Two hotels, the Park House and the Lake View House allowed visitors to stay overnight. The cost was $2 per day for the Lake View and $1 to $1.50 for the Park House.

Over time the number of non-Methodist people rose and the rules had become somewhat lax. Lights now had to be out by 11:00 PM instead of 10:30 PM.

During the 1900's the park saw declining visitors and was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1910. At that time a man named Harry Wylie purchased the area. One of Wylie's first actions was to eliminate the curfew and a few other rules that he felt were not necessary.

A dancehall and a movie theatre were built. Movies were 5 cents, compared to a movie today where it may cost over $20 for a movie and refreshments. Wylie also built a 'figure 8' roller coaster, and carousel. Grimsby Park was looking more and more like an amusement park.

In 1914 a fire started, caused by an overturned oil cooking-stove. Due to the close proximity of the cottages, 34 other cottages caught fire before the fire could be extinguished.

Upon Harry Wylie's death in 1916, Canada Steamship Lines, bought the park. Their decision was based on a desire to enter into the amusement park business as well as the extra business they could obtain transporting passenger by ferry.

A series of events led to the eventual end of Grimsby Park. On June 30th, 1918, The Lake View Hotel, having just undergone major renovations and set to reopen July 1 for the season, was gutted by fire. It was never rebuilt. The lack of new attractions to the park saw visitors slowly losing interest in the park.

Around 1922, the 'figure 8' roller coaster was demolished and replaced with a 'Deep Dipper'. This may have brought about a renewed interest in the park.

By 1924, the Canadian Steamship Company wanted out of the amusement park business and sold the operation to The Grimsby Beach Cottagers' Association.

The Canadian Steamship Company sold off just in time. A fire in July of 1927, caused by an exploding coal-oil stove, would burn down another 30 cottage homes.

The cottages were turned into year-round homes during the 1940's when the property was taken over by the town of Grimsby. Slowly the attractions at Grimsby Park closed or burned down.

Grimsby Park is located in Grimsby. The, cottage buildings and bell are all found along the shore of Lake Ontario. You will need to cross the QEW from Grimsby in order to reach the area.

Much information is courtesy of Dorothy Turcotte of Grimsby, Ontario.