Creemore and the Nottawasaga Bluffs – A Quick Hike, A Cold Beer and Maybe North America’s Smallest Jailhouse
Although multiple towns claim to have the smallest jailhouse in North America, Creemore, a tiny hamlet in the rural heart of Southern Ontario has a strong claim to the throne. So why was in Creemore to begin with?
For those of you familiar with Canadian history French, legendary french explorer Samuel de Champlain visited the area in 1616 to promote trade with the First Nations tribes. He described the region as: “The country is full of hill-slopes and little level stretches, which make it a pleasant country.” (yes, he did use country twice in a sentence!). It was for those hill slopes that I had come to hike, giving me an excuse to stop in town for a cold brew and a visit to the jailhouse.
Table of Contents
The Nottawasaga Bluffs
I was given a lift to the Nottawasaga parking lot by my Cousins who I was hiking with that day. The whole thing had been their idea and I was pleased to tag along. I had learned of the meaning of Nottawasaga while in the town of Wasaga Beach, a word used by Algonquin scouts as a warning if they saw Iroquois raiding parties approaching their villages. This particular conservation area offers a chance to explore the limestone depressions, caves and bluffs of the Niagara escapement.
This conservation area is a full 400 acres and is connected to the famous Bruce Trail. There are some camps sites available as well as view of the surrounding forest from one of the bluffs, a cliff face on the southern half of the trail. Apart from the fauna and flora you can walk along the remains of an old stagecoach road. The true attraction of this reserve however is to head down the keyhole trail and explore the deep depressions in the limestone that emerge from the landscape, almost as if it was an ancient passageway.
It was a hot day and I was surprised at how cool the temperatures are down here. It is said that the temperatures down here will keep snow at the very bottom of the hole until June, something I had observed with my own eyes.
Creemore
This tiny town on the eastern boundary of the Niagara escarpment is located in Clearview township just like the Nottawasaga bluffs. It was founded in 1842, and the name derives from strong irish roots (“cron mor,” meaning “big heart).
The scenic town has many old Victorian homes, as well as four churches constructed before the 20th century, a rather impressive number for such a place. The street names reflect its founder, Edward Webster who paid tribute to his family by naming the original streets after them. Elizabeth for his wife and daughter, Francis for one of his sons and Wellington another of his sons as well as Alice and William for his parents. The Creemore Brewery, a well known Ontarian establishment is known for their creamy pale lager, that pours almost like an amber. I also enjoy their underrated mango wheet beer, but I digress.
Another nearby must see is the Creemore Horticultural Park, a public place displaying beautiful columbine flowers and a statue of women and children dancing around a jet of water.
The reason most come here is to visit the jailhouse, located beside the Creemore Public Library. Built in 1892, this tiny 4.5 x 6 meter stone building was completed $425.20. It is considered to be the smallest jail in North America housing only three tiny cells.
It is free to visit the inside of the jail where you will be able to see just how small a space it is. You will also find out that the building was used as holding place until 1940. Reopening as tourist attraction in 1972.
Just off to the side of the jail you will find an old log cabin.
