BALLS FALLS

Location BALLS FALLS (GHOST TOWN) Database location #3 Public Location

Author Created by ontarioabandonedplaces (CONTACT) Creation Date: 1/1/2006 Last Photos Uploaded: 1/1/2006

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Soldiers who remained loyal to the British, were awarded land for their part in the American Revolution. John and George Ball received 1200 acres of land in October 1807. The two men wasted no time in developing setting up a community. By 1809, John and George Ball had built a large wooden grist mill by a creek which ran down the Escarpment. This allowed the residents to grind their own grain. The grist mill was located by the lower waterfall, the saw and wood mills located by the upper waterfall. Next they built the coopers shop which produced the barrels for shiping the flour which came from the grist mill. On the west bank of the cruk, the blacksmiths shop was built. Here, horseshoes and the hoops for the barrels were produced. By the mid 1830's, a five storey woollen mill was constructed. This mill was the largest feature of Ball's Falls and employed many local residents. By 1840 the place was known as Glen Elgin. The village of Glen Elgin contained two lime kilns, a barrel maker, a blacksmith and several houses. Glen Elgin met its demise when, during the 1950s, the Great Western Railway laid down track nearby and new industries began locating near the tracks. The documentations were sent in by Chris Savage. In 1962, the 110 acreage was sold to the Niagra Conservation Authority by Manly Ball. Location: From the Queen Elizabeth Way, take exit 57 and drive South on Regional Road 24 to Vineland.At the intersections of RR 8 and RR 24 follow the signs to the Conservation Area. The mill still continues to operate, the Ball house and the lime kilns can be found as well. The site is protected by the Conservation Authority, an idea which should be followed for all ghost towns.

Options Geocaches Comments I was raised in Jordan and as a boy taken often to Balls Falls for walks, beginning when it was still Manly Ball’s property. He didn’t mind locals using it for walks. Good that it became a protected park, but it was nice back then when it wasn’t. But the reason I’m writing is to mention that, if visitors take the Jordan exit (next one east from Vineland and on the other side of Jordan Harbour) they can come up through Jordan after going through Jordan Station. At Jordan they can go through the historical museum and also see the Fry House (a 19th century wooden house re-located to Jordan when I was a boy) and the old stone schoolhouse, plus the original redbrick buildings of the village itself. Unfortunately the redbrick that originally housed the museum when I was a boy was sold by the winery when it moved out (Jordan Wines) and is now a private home. Jordan was established before the War of 1812, and shouldn’t be missed if people want to see the full picture of Balls Falls. Butlers Rangers camped at Jordan at times, and US forces marched through the village a number of times in both the Revolutionary War and 1812. Regards, Frank Banwell Jordan resident 1952 to 1970. Comment left by : Frank Banwell - 12/23/2008 6:52:14 AM One of the lime kilns The foot of the falls Old cabin Old cabin Inside one of the old cabins These pictures of the woolen mill were sent in by Jason Bray. Your browser must allow cookies in order to upload photos or create locations. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the terms outlined in the Disclaimer. (C) 2010