Early patterns of settlement in Haldimand County are still visible in the landscape and architecture, spanning from the pre-Contact era to the proclamation of the Haldimand Land Grant for the Six Nations and the subsequent migration of Loyalist settlers – Americans, largely of German descent and Mennonite tradition. Throughout the 1800s, immigration from the British Isles contributed significantly to the area’s development, as did the small but industrious Black community of the late nineteenth century – many descended from ex-slaves of the American South. Since the post-war years of the twentieth century, a significant stream of immigration from the Netherlands has also added to our ever-expanding mosaic of cultural identity, as have the age-old traditions of our Indigenous neighbors – the Six Nations and New Credit communities.
Following the American Revolution, Sir
Frederick Haldimand, Governor-in-Chief of Canada, granted in 1784 to the Six
Nations of the Iroquois a tract of land extending for six miles on both sides
of the Grand River from its source to Lake Erie. This grant was made in
recognition of their services as allies of the British Crown during the war,
and to recompense them for the loss of their former lands in northern New York
State. In later years, large areas of this tract, including portions of the
present counties of Haldimand, Brant, Waterloo and Wellington, were sold to
white settlers.
By 1853, Cayuga had lumber yards, a foundry,
and a glass factory.
At its height, York had twenty businesses that included mills, inns,
shoemakers, general stores, blacksmiths, and a lumber yard. It had a two-room
school house and two churches.
1 Cayuga Street North – Greek Revival – pediment above Doric pillars, keystones, quoins12 Cayuga Street North – Post Office31 Cayuga Street taken from Mohawk Street – Edwardian with bay windows, turret in wing55 Munsee Street – Jailer’s Residence – 1877 – Italianate style, low hipped roof, overhanging eaves with brackets, a bullseye windowMunsee Street – Italianate, paired cornice brackets41 Echo Street – Italianate, dormer in attic40 Ottawa Street – hipped roof, bay window26 Tuscarora Street – hipped roof, cornice brackets, two-story bay windows5 Mohawk Street – The Duff House – replica of a 17th century New England Garrison style house – steep pitched cedar-shake A-roof, second story overhang, double casement wooden windows17 Winnett Street – gable roof, balanced facade, side sun room with balcony above4104 Highway 3 – Campbell-Pine House – c. 1895 – limestone farmhouse with hipped roof, two-story veranda; a large portion of Donald Campbell’s 1847 stone cottage is incorporated into the walls of the house. Donald Campbell was one of the earliest settlers of North Cayuga Township; he operated a steam sawmill on the premises.243 Haldimand Highway 54 – Ruthven Estate, the main house and wing, c. 1845, was designed by the master building/architect John Latshaw. Ruthven Park is a 1,500-acre country estate. The house is in the Greek Revival style with a broad staircase leading to a front landing with classical columns. The south wing was added c. 1860, the south-east wing c. 1880, and the east wing c. 1884. It was the former home of five generations of the Thompson family from the 1840s to 1990s. David Thompson came to the area and started a saw mill in 1834, and added a grist mill in 1836. David was instrumental in the laying out of the former 1200-acre town of Indiana. He eventually owned two sawmills, as well as a gristmill, carding mill, cooperage, and several stores. Overall, Indiana supported over thirty industries and was the largest industrial town in Haldimand County in the mid-nineteenth century.39 Front Street South, York – The Enniskillen Lodge, formerly the Barber Hotel, was built in 1862 for Mr. Daniel Barber, a prominent local hotelier. Large Georgian style windows, doors, and brick detailing are spaced and designed symmetrically. It has a projected cornice with dentils, Regency four-panel door with sidelights and rectangular transom, hood molds over windows, horizontal banding, and corner quoins.2389 Haldimand Road 9 – Italianate – cornice brackets, corner quoins, two-story bay windows
