Webster's Falls

Webster's Falls is a 22m high, 30m wide terraced curtain plunge located on Spencer Creek in the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area. There is a small karst feature to the left of the falls that is fed from Spencer Creek above the main falls.

This waterfall was originally known as Dr. Hamilton’s falls, named after Dr. James Hamilton, who purchased the land in 1818. The waterfalls and 78 acres of the surrounding land were purchased  by Joseph Webster after his family arrived from England in 1820.

In 1856, Webster’s son built a large stone flour mill, the Ashbourne Mills, beside the creek above the falls. In 1898 fire destroyed the mill, which had been among the largest in the district. Following the blaze, the owner, George Harper, joined a partnership to form the Dundas Electric Company and one of the first hydro-electric generators of Ontario was installed at the base of the falls.

The Webster family's gravestones have been preserved in a small area to the east of the car park.

The stone bridge above the falls was constructed from the remains of the mill.

The Conservation Authority has declared the foot of the falls off-limits.