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Albion Falls

Our first attempt to find Albion Falls was at night. We recommend you don't do this! It's very unsafe in darkness go during the day. It's much easier and safer for everyone!

Cultural History

In 1792 William Davis erected a gristmill near Albion Falls in Barton Township. Not far from it, a sawmill was also built to serve a small but growing community. This community hosted three hotels, a general store and a blacksmith shop. The grist mill changed hands a half dozen times over the years, but by the early 1900s the small vibrant village called Albion Mills was all but forgotten. Albion was a poetic version of the name Britain. Not far from the original location of the mill in King's Forest Park is one of the millstones with a commemorative plaque. Albion Falls was once seriously considered as a possible source of water for the Hamilton. Rocks from the Albion Falls area were used in the construction of the Royal Botanical Gardens' Rock Garden.

The ravine at Albion Falls has a Lover's Leap legend. The early 19th century story tells of a young Jane Riley, disappointed in love with Joseph Rousseau. She stood at the top of a steep cliff not far from the thundering Albion Falls and flung herself to the bottom 100 feet below. The steep drop has since been dubbed "Lover's Leap".

Our Experiences

The Falls were absolutely incredible! The hike down was not! Due to the rock formations it was very steep, and because of the dense brush, the rain from the day before was still on the ground.

All of us made the slow decent to the bottom of the falls. When we had reached flat land, the sight was amazing! Brenda began to channel after a few moments. She said the way we came down was the wrong way. It was not the usual path people took to come to the falls. Brenda was certain there were stairs from a different direction. She mentioned that there was also a time when buggies could come down to the falls. It was scary for the horses and those who rode in the buggies.

Brenda also said she got conflicting stories from the dead. She said she could see a young woman standing at the top of the falls full of sorrow and then she would disappear. Then she saw the same woman holding a man's hand smiling and laughing together as they faded and walked away.

Brenda also commented on the landscape at the bottom of the falls being much different. She said there were huge flat rocks at the bottom and the water from the falls used to go under them. It was a place that many came to sit, as nature had carved out a sitting place in the rocks.

Brenda said when the woman let herself go over the edge she landed on the second shelf of the falls. Brenda could feel the sadness from the local residents when they found her, and her lover was sick with grief. Brenda noted that he too walks the grounds out of guilt for what he did to his soon to be wife. The young woman's spirit reaches out to other women (like Brenda) to tell them it's ok that she found him and knows the truth now. The spirit did however confess that in previous years she was confused after she died and she still searched for her deceitful lover. Brenda mentioned to us that it was somewhat confusing, as one moment the woman was sick to her stomach from a broken heart and the next minute the woman was so much in love and truly happy because she now had her future husband forever and ever.

The events that took place there were such a tragedy. Brenda told us about an old woman that visited the place for many years after the young couple's demise. Brenda was not picking up on what ties she had to the couple, but knew she was not a blood relative. She did feel that perhaps she was almost like an older sister (but not quite) to the young man. Brenda said that this old woman died with much guilt in her heart and sadness. She brought flowers ever week and would pray for forgiveness despite the fact that she was not a religious woman.

We decided to head back to the top of the falls as there was a an agency there photographing. The climb up seemed much easier than the climb down! Once on flat ground, Rachel had our first group outing accident!! She stepped in a large puddle and ended up on her rear end and full of mud (it made a great picture to our collection). Thankfully, she came prepared with an extra set of clothes. We then took a bunch of pictures from the top of the falls, and Brenda accompanied Rachel back to the car so she could change. The boys decided to do their own investigation and found a few things of interest. They found a set of old wooden stairs that have been blocked off due to erosion and an old road. They returned to the car and told us of their findings but we decided to head towards our next destination instead.

There was a film shoot going on at the base of the falls with some local models, this agency was extremely rude to us and very unconsiderate. They did not block any areas off and had no signs on saying about who they were. Many others were down there, but one photographer decided to on us.

We decided to head back up to the top and get on our way to Niagara-on-the-lake. The climb up seemed a lot more easier than the climb down. Once on flat land Rachel had our first group outing accident. She stepped in a large puddle and ended up on her rear end and full of mud.(it made a great picture to our collection). Thankfully, she came prepared with an extra set of clothes. We then took a bunch of pictures from the top of the falls, and Brenda accompanied Rachel back to the car so she change. The boys decided to do their own investigation and found a few things of interest. They found a set of old wooden stairs that have been blocked off due to erosion and an old road. They returned to the car and told us of their findings and we headed towards our next destination.