Grimsby, Ontario

Grimsby, Ont Balancing growth with history W ith its rich and storied history, the scenic Town of Grimsby, Ontario – appropriately dubbed the Gateway to Niagara – has long been a draw for tourists. Incorporated in 1876 as the Village of Grimsby, it officially became a town in 1922, although its roots date all the way back to the 1700s with the Neutral First People settlement. Loyalist settlers arrived at the Forty Mile Creek in 1780 and 10 years later Grimsby was the site of the first municipal meeting in Upper Canada on April 5, 1790. The location also served as the Engagement at the Forty in 1813, the pivotal naval battle and turning point in the War of 1812. Since the 1850s tourists and villagers alike have flocked to Grimsby Beach, which is now home to charming gingerbread-style houses colorfully painted by owners. Grimsby is still a tourism highlight – a destination where people enjoy scenic vistas created by both Lake Ontario and the Niagara escarpment, along which many top-notch wineries operate and welcome people in for tours, gourmet food, and wine tasting. In the coming years, people will find even more to love along the AT A GLANCE GRIMSBY, ONTARIO WHAT: A charming historic town; population 30,000 WHERE: Niagara Region, alongside Lake Ontario WEBSITE: www.grimsby.ca