This is too well-written to not share using the writer’s own vivid descriptive powers. Only the portion of the article pertaining to Fisher’s Glen follows :
“Over the H.&D. and Through Fisher’s Glen by Cal Davis.”
Hamilton Times. December 17, 1898
FISHER’S GLEN
“No more romantic or
grandly picturesque spot is there in this beautiful country than that branching
mountain gorge known as Fisher’s Glen, situated between two lofty crags of the
Dundas Mountain, at the foot of whose beautifully wooded slopes runs the waters
which leap over Hopkin’s and Webster’s cliffs – those two waterfalls which have
inspired the brush of some of Canada’s best landscape artists and have
furnished the theme for many a writer’s pen. Somewhere about half a century ago
the late Mr. John Fishers chose a site near the mouth of the glen for the
erection of the paper mill which has ever since borne his name, and which is
today run by his son, Mr. Chas E. Fisher, with power furnished by the waters
from the same two falls, and which go on forever, heedless of the fact that men
may come and men may go. Fisher’s Mill is as picturesque situated as could be
imagined, and its owner takes pride in the beauty of its surroundings. In the
foreground is a well-kept lawn with rockeries and vases and beautiful plants
and flowers in profusion throughout the summer, and the merry rippling of
waters from the two fountains, mingling with the dash of the stream as it leaps
over the precipice above. The mill itself is a large and substantial structure,
fitted out with modern machinery, and always busy. It has a steam plant besides
the water power. The water is conducted to the mill through a long stone channel,
which runs under the Grand Trunk Railway near the Dundas station. The masonry
is magnificent.
“From the mill, the
mouth of the glen above presents of a recess in the mountain ridge, with the
Dundas Peak standing guard, and a giant mound of earth beneath it, the remains
of the great land slide of twelve or fourteen years ago. It is not until the
long flight of stone steps above the mill has been ascended, the railway
crossed, and the other end of the long stone archway reached, that the beauty
of Fisher’s Glen is seen. The whole glen is the private property of Mr. Fisher,
who has added to its natural loveliness by laying out a long, winding pathway –
lovers’ walk – which leads past ‘Devil’s Elbow,’ a companion rock to ‘Dundas Peak,’
and right up to the ‘Meeting of the Waters.’ Where the stream from Webster’s
Falls on the left and Hopkins’ Fall on the right unite their forces. A June rumble
through the glen is full of interest, and when the October days begin to tint
the foliage the beauty of the spot is indescribable. Even in the dead of
winter, with the terraces of snow-laden pines pierced by the bare limbs of the
other trees, the scenery is grand. Dundas Peak at the entrance to the glen to
the meeting of the waters is a walk of about half a mile, and from where the
streams meet to Webster’s Falls on one side and Hopkin’s on the other about
three-quarters of a mile. The beds of both streams are rocky, and the
waterfalls in endless cascades and merry chatters from rock to rock. There are
several fine bathing spots and Mr. Fisher has in contemplation a bathing house.
The slopes of the ravine arise probably over a hundred feet above the stream,
and are most beautiful. The falls that mark the boundaries of the two branches
of the glen have few equals in point of beauty. Webster’s mills, until their
destruction a few months ago by fire, were run by the water which leaps over
the precipice, and a little father back A.J. Clark’s woolen mills use the same
power. The streams also furnish considerable power in Dundas. On the high land
overlooking the glen one side, and Dundas on the other is Spring Hill, the
residence of Mrs. John Fisher and her daughters, and from Spring Hill the twon
draws much of its water supply.”
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