Ball's Falls - Niagara Escarpment, Ontario

Ball's Falls consist of two waterfalls and a bedrock gorge where Twenty Mile Creek cascades over the Escarpment on the string of the Bruce Trail. It is a 19th century hamlet located on the edge of the escarpment. Features include an operational mill, numerous historic buildings, and scenic nature trails.

The site occupies over 80 hectares (200 acres) of the original 480 hectares (1200 acres) purchased by the Ball brothers. George Ball constructed grist, saw, and wool mills, which lead to the growth of one of the first communities in this area. The hamlet was known as Ball's Mills, Louth Mills, Glen Elgin, and finally as Ball's Falls because of the two delightful cataracts on the property. In the mid 1800's, however, significant developments such as the railway and the Welland Canal led to the rapid growth of other villages below the escarpment, and by the turn of the century, most of the activity at Balls Falls had ceased.

Ball's Falls has been lovingly restored to its early 1800's atmosphere and now features an operating flour mill, a lime kiln, a church, family home, blacksmith shop, carriage shed, and more. In addition to its historical interest, Ball's Falls is also a centre for nature activities, offering a tremendous diversity of flora and fauna as well as excellent exposures of geologic strata.

The Bruce Trail passes through the very north end of the conservation area to the north of the lower falls. Hikes along the Bruce Trail either to the west or the east can be made from this location.

The Annual Ball's Fall Thanksgiving Festival of Arts & Crafts has been held for over 30 years just betwen the first and second Falls.