Webster's Falls
Encyclopedia
Webster's Falls, noted for its panoramas, is a 22 metre high classical curtain/ plunge waterfall found in the Spencer Gorge/Webster's Falls Conservation Area in Hamilton, Ontario
, Canada
. The water flows down Spencer Creek. In the past the falls have been known by various names such as Dr. Hamilton's Falls, Spencer Falls, Hart Falls, Fisher Falls and Flamborough Falls.
Within the associated park, there are washroom facilities, picnic tables (20) and sheltered areas at the top of Webster's Falls, as well as a parking area for up to 75 cars. The cobblestone
footbridge
, as well as a newer and narrower stone/concrete footbridge
, crosses over Spencer Creek to the west side, which then leads to a series of 122-steps, allowing access down to the base of the falls.
A less popular, but still common, area of interest at the base of the falls is found around the edge of the cascade. Under the falls is niche worn behind the curtain. Due to the cap-rock on top of the falls being made of a more resistant material, the falls are neatly slotted underneath and allow people to view the falls from the opposite side. It can however be a dangerous endeavor and should not be attempted unless one is extremely cautious. It is never advisable to venture behind the falls during winter.
The Bruce Trail
runs through this area. It is popular with hikers and family picnics. Improvements to the existing trail have been made on many occasions. Other nearby attractions include a convenience store and an antique shop.
, on the way to Tews Falls
. In the will of former Dundas Mayor, Colonel W.E.S. Knowles, a request to the town was issued asking for the area around Webster's Falls be made into a public park. A foundation was established to channel revenue into park improvements. In 1933, the grounds were landscaped, a stone bridge constructed across the creek above the falls, and an iron fence installed to make the viewing at the ledge safer. The current owner of the land is now the Hamilton Conservation Authority
.
Webster's Falls is shown in the 2005 Sci-Fi movie "Descent", though it is portrayed as being an anonymous waterfall in the Pacific Northwest. During the movie a river of lava pours over the falls, nearly killing the star, Luke Perry.
Russian professor, Oleg Polyansky, was part of a team that had discovered water vapour on the sun when working in Waterloo. When giving lectures internationally about his discovery, he always uses an image of Webster's Falls as a key example.
past McMaster University
and straight into Dundas
. Take it straight past the library and up the hill. There are signs pointing in the direction of the falls. Admission is $8 per vehicle and the parking lot is enough for 75 vehicles.
Webster's Falls can be reached from Tews Falls
via a 30 minute hike along the Bruce Trail
. Alternatively, to reach Webster's Falls by car, take Highway 8 from Dundas. Keep right on Brock Road and go right at the light onto Harvest Road. Turn right on Short Road, then left onto Fallsview. Keep following the signs all the way to the parking lot.
From Toronto
you can go West on Dundas Street (Highway #5
) until you turn south on Brock Street (To Greensville
), left on Harvest road.
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The water flows down Spencer Creek. In the past the falls have been known by various names such as Dr. Hamilton's Falls, Spencer Falls, Hart Falls, Fisher Falls and Flamborough Falls.
Within the associated park, there are washroom facilities, picnic tables (20) and sheltered areas at the top of Webster's Falls, as well as a parking area for up to 75 cars. The cobblestone
Cobblestone
Cobblestones are stones that were frequently used in the pavement of early streets. "Cobblestone" is derived from the very old English word "cob", which had a wide range of meanings, one of which was "rounded lump" with overtones of large size...
footbridge
Footbridge
A footbridge or pedestrian bridge is a bridge designed for pedestrians and in some cases cyclists, animal traffic and horse riders, rather than vehicular traffic. Footbridges complement the landscape and can be used decoratively to visually link two distinct areas or to signal a transaction...
, as well as a newer and narrower stone/concrete footbridge
Footbridge
A footbridge or pedestrian bridge is a bridge designed for pedestrians and in some cases cyclists, animal traffic and horse riders, rather than vehicular traffic. Footbridges complement the landscape and can be used decoratively to visually link two distinct areas or to signal a transaction...
, crosses over Spencer Creek to the west side, which then leads to a series of 122-steps, allowing access down to the base of the falls.
A less popular, but still common, area of interest at the base of the falls is found around the edge of the cascade. Under the falls is niche worn behind the curtain. Due to the cap-rock on top of the falls being made of a more resistant material, the falls are neatly slotted underneath and allow people to view the falls from the opposite side. It can however be a dangerous endeavor and should not be attempted unless one is extremely cautious. It is never advisable to venture behind the falls during winter.
The Bruce Trail
Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is a hiking trail in southern and central Ontario, Canada.-General:The trail follows the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, one of the thirteen UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves in Canada, for almost...
runs through this area. It is popular with hikers and family picnics. Improvements to the existing trail have been made on many occasions. Other nearby attractions include a convenience store and an antique shop.
Ownership
Ownership of the land has changed several times. Originally the waterfall was known as Dr. Hamilton's falls, after Dr. James Hamilton purchased the land in 1818. The waterfall, and 78 acres (315,655.1 m²) of the surrounding land, were purchased shortly after by Joseph Webster when his family arrived from England in 1820. The Webster family manor still stands on Webster's Falls Road, and their gravestones have been preserved in a small section just off the Bruce TrailBruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is a hiking trail in southern and central Ontario, Canada.-General:The trail follows the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, one of the thirteen UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves in Canada, for almost...
, on the way to Tews Falls
Tews Falls
Tew's Falls, is a 41 metre ribbon waterfall, only a few metres shorter than Niagara Falls, and is the tallest waterfall found in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Located at the Spencer Gorge / Webster's Falls Conservation Area in Greensville, its source is Logie's Creek. It is a short walking distance...
. In the will of former Dundas Mayor, Colonel W.E.S. Knowles, a request to the town was issued asking for the area around Webster's Falls be made into a public park. A foundation was established to channel revenue into park improvements. In 1933, the grounds were landscaped, a stone bridge constructed across the creek above the falls, and an iron fence installed to make the viewing at the ledge safer. The current owner of the land is now the Hamilton Conservation Authority
Hamilton Conservation Authority
The Hamilton Conservation Authority maintains the greenspace, trails, parks and some attractions in the Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.The Hamilton Conservation Authority has managed the natural environment in partnership with the City of Hamilton and the Province of Ontario to help ensure a safe and...
.
Webster's Falls in Popular Culture
Webster's Falls, according to Joe Hollick, has the highest number of vintage postcards bearing its image, this suggests that it has been the most frequently visited waterfall in Hamilton for more than a century.Webster's Falls is shown in the 2005 Sci-Fi movie "Descent", though it is portrayed as being an anonymous waterfall in the Pacific Northwest. During the movie a river of lava pours over the falls, nearly killing the star, Luke Perry.
Russian professor, Oleg Polyansky, was part of a team that had discovered water vapour on the sun when working in Waterloo. When giving lectures internationally about his discovery, he always uses an image of Webster's Falls as a key example.
"Baby Webster's Falls"
Baby Webster's Falls is a complex ribbon waterfall which has water mainly during seasonal storms and after the winter snow melts. Its height is 20 metres and its width is 3 metres (10 ft) It is located on a tributary of the Spencer Creek, on a separate ravine near Webster's Falls and can be seen from both the top and bottom of the gorge. It is located to the right and bottom of the stairway leading down to the base of the Webster's Falls and is often missed due to its relatively little water flow, particularly when compared to the main falls just to the left side of the stairway.Directions
In Hamilton, take Main Street WestMain Street (Hamilton, Ontario)
Main Street, is a Lower City arterial road in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It starts east of Wilson Street in Ancaster at White Chapel Cemetery as a two-way street and switches over to a one-way street at Paradise Road South, in Westdale, where it continues up to the Delta where it once again...
past McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
and straight into Dundas
Dundas, Ontario
Dundas is a formerly independent town and now constituent community in the city of Hamilton in Ontario, Canada. It's nickname is the Valley Town. The population has been stable for decades at about twenty thousand, largely because it has not annexed rural land from the protected Dundas Valley...
. Take it straight past the library and up the hill. There are signs pointing in the direction of the falls. Admission is $8 per vehicle and the parking lot is enough for 75 vehicles.
Webster's Falls can be reached from Tews Falls
Tews Falls
Tew's Falls, is a 41 metre ribbon waterfall, only a few metres shorter than Niagara Falls, and is the tallest waterfall found in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Located at the Spencer Gorge / Webster's Falls Conservation Area in Greensville, its source is Logie's Creek. It is a short walking distance...
via a 30 minute hike along the Bruce Trail
Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is a hiking trail in southern and central Ontario, Canada.-General:The trail follows the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, one of the thirteen UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves in Canada, for almost...
. Alternatively, to reach Webster's Falls by car, take Highway 8 from Dundas. Keep right on Brock Road and go right at the light onto Harvest Road. Turn right on Short Road, then left onto Fallsview. Keep following the signs all the way to the parking lot.
From Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
you can go West on Dundas Street (Highway #5
Highway 5 (Ontario)
King's Highway 5, also known as Highway 5 and historically as the Dundas Highway, is a provincially maintained highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. The east–west highway travels a distance of between Highway 8 at Peter's Corners, north of Hamilton and Highway 6 at Clappison's Corners...
) until you turn south on Brock Street (To Greensville
Greensville, Ontario
Greensville is a community in Flamborough, Hamilton in the Canadian province of Ontario.Hamilton Conservation Authority attractions Webster's Falls and Tew's Falls are in Greensville....
), left on Harvest road.
External links
- Cascades and Waterfalls of Hamilton (www.waterfalls.hamilton.ca)
- Bruce Trail (www.brucetrail.org)
- Hamilton- "The Waterfall Capital of the World" (www.cityofwaterfalls.ca)
- Vintage Postcards: Waterfalls in and around Hamilton, Ontario
Maps
- Hamilton Waterfall Map PDF. (http://map.hamilton.ca)
- Map: Hamilton Waterfalls (www.hamiltonnature.org)