Located on the south shores of Lake Ontario, Grimsby is roughly halfway between Hamilton and St. Catharines. Settled by American loyalists during the Revolutionary War, preachers descended on the town to offer spiritual guidance to the Methodist settlers. It would eventually become the site of a summer-long Methodist revival church camp.
Grimsby Beach as it’s now known eventually became a vacation destination for clergy members who purchased cottages during the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, according to Dorothy Turcotte, author of Greetings From Grimsby Park, The Chautauqua of Canada. The original cottages can be found along Temple Lane and Auditorium Circle. Their distinctive gingerbread-style architecture makes them easy to find. New owners have since painted the cottages in a rainbow of colours that add to their unique character.
For a list of the designated heritage properties and where to find them consult the map below. The colourful cottages can primarily be found along Auditorium Circle and nearby Grimsby Beach.
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