These charming, colourful Victorian gingerbread houses are nestled on the shores of Grimsby Beach in the Niagara Region of Ontario. They boast every colour of the rainbow and each with its own unique character and theme. Originally cottages, now winterized, some of the homes are over 150 years old.
In the 1840s this area was a popular summer destination for many Ontarians. The Methodist Church had a camp in the area and later build a large auditorium called “The Temple”. Over time. cottages started being built in place of the camp tents.
Over the years, the use of the area went through many changes – from amusement park to movie theatre – and was eventually altered by the construction of the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) highway through the area, but history of the Methodist camp is marked by an old iron bell in the centre of Auditorium Circle, a small court in Grimsby Beach – where you’ll find the majority of the cottages. Visitors will find additional colourful houses on the neighbouring street, Temple Lane.
A walk through this quiet neighbourhood will afford the best opportunity to enjoy the most intricate details and quirky personalities of each of the cottages, learn a little about the history of the region and perhaps even allow visitors to engage with the homeowners.
