Step Back in Time: Exploring Toronto's Spadina House Museum

Inside Toronto’s Hidden Gem: A Glimpse Into Spadina House Museum

Have you ever wondered what life was like for Toronto’s elite a century ago? Just steps from Casa Loma, Spadina House offers a quieter, more personal journey into the city’s past — and it’s totally free to visit.

Perched atop Davenport Hill, Spadina House invites visitors into the elegance of early 20th-century Toronto. Built in 1866 by financier James Austin, founder of The Dominion Bank, the mansion was home to three generations of the Austin family until 1982.

The name “Spadina” comes from the Anishnaabemowin word ishpadina, meaning “highland” or “ridge” — a perfect fit for its location overlooking the city.

Today, the Spadina Museum has been lovingly restored to reflect life from the 1900s to the 1930s. Each room is a visual treat, blending Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Colonial Revival design. The six-acre gardens are just as impressive, restored to their 1905 glory — and a perfect photo spot in spring and summer.

While Casa Loma gets all the attention, Spadina House offers something its glamorous neighbour can’t: peace, charm, and authenticity. Many original furnishings remain, each telling its own story of Toronto’s upper class.

We visited on a sunny afternoon and were treated to a guided tour by the friendly onsite staff. And the best part? Admission was free!

If you're planning a trip to Casa Loma, I highly recommend walking just a few minutes further to Spadina House. It’s like discovering a secret — and it’s well worth the detour.

Have you been to Spadina House? What caught your eye — the décor, the garden, the view? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

 

Exploring History and Elegance: The Rodman Mansion

Imagine strolling through a quaint town on a warm Sunday afternoon, the air thick with the promise of summer. As you make your way back to the train station, a curious sight catches your eye: perched atop a grassy knoll on St. Paul Street in St. Catharines, a spire peeks out from what appears to be a magnificent Victorian home. Intrigued, you decide to venture closer.

Despite the steep incline and your casual flip-flops, you ascend the hill slowly, each step revealing more of the grandeur ahead. Finally, you reach the summit—an expansive estate spread over at least 10 acres, complete with a generous parking lot and gravel pathways leading up to a majestic burgundy red front door. This is the Rodman Mansion.

This architectural gem boasts all the hallmark features of a Victorian masterpiece: a steep gable, grand hallways, and large paned windows that seem to invite the outside in. Surrounding the mansion are meticulously tended gardens, a serene oasis untouched by the hustle and bustle of modern life. Yet, remarkably, not a soul is in sight, leaving you to soak in the tranquil beauty of the place.

The Rodman Mansion has a fascinating history intertwined with the dreams and aspirations of the Rodman family. It was originally conceived by Hamilton Rodman, a successful barrister with a penchant for grandeur. During his travels to Italy, he fell under the spell of Montebello castle and resolved to recreate its splendor back home in St. Catharines.

Upon returning, Hamilton began construction, laying the foundation with poured concrete—a testament to his ambition and vision. Tragically, his life was cut short at the age of 38, leaving behind his dreams and a foundation waiting to be realized. His brother, Thomas Rodman, took up the mantle, repurposing the materials intended for Hamilton’s castle to construct what would become the Rodman Mansion.

Completed in 1820, the mansion stood as a testament to both the Rodman family’s determination and the architectural prowess of its time. However, over the years, neglect took its toll, and the mansion fell into disrepair until it was painstakingly restored to its former glory by the City of St. Catherines. Today, the mansion serves a dual purpose: as a breathtaking venue for weddings and events, and as an art gallery showcasing local talent.

Visitors are welcome to explore the mansion’s grounds, reveling in the beauty of its gardens and the historical resonance of its halls. The parking is ample, and the gardens, a tranquil haven, are open for all to enjoy—a true gift to the community from its storied past.

Whether you’re drawn to its historical significance, its architectural beauty, or simply seeking a moment of serenity, the Rodman Mansion promises an experience unlike any other. It stands not only as a tribute to the Rodman family’s legacy but as a testament to the enduring allure of Victorian architecture and the timeless elegance it embodies.

Exploring St. Catharines: A Riverside Adventure - 12 Mile Creek Trail

After a delightful lunch at WIND on King Street in St. Catharines, my friends and I were eager to continue our afternoon adventure. 

Our destination? Montebello Park, a charming spot rumored to house a nostalgic working carousel. Because, let's be honest, some of us never really outgrow the allure of a carousel ride.

Anticipation was high as we approached the park, but alas, a fence had been erected, signaling the imminent arrival of a summer carnival. Our carousel dreams would have to wait for another day. Undeterred, we decided to make the most of our time before catching our train at St. Catharines station.

With a few hours to spare, we ventured towards the Burgoyne Bridge, where a path led us down into the valley below. Here, nestled beneath the bridge, we found ourselves in serene isolation, surrounded by the rushing waters of 12 Mile Creek. It was a rare moment of tranquility, with not a soul in sight.

As we marveled at the long pedestrian bridge ahead , we couldn't help but notice the remnants of the what looked to be an old Shipyard just off the 12 Mile Creek,  a testament to the area's rich maritime history. Once a bustling hub for ships navigating these waters, the locks now stand as silent witnesses to days gone by.

Curious about the redirection of shipping traffic, we learned that today, vessels are diverted to the nearby 16 Mile Creek instead. This adjustment has transformed the landscape, allowing nature to reclaim parts of the waterways once dominated by industry and commerce.

Our impromptu riverside excursion beneath the Burgoyne bridge turned out to be a hidden gem in St. Catharines, offering a glimpse into both the past.  As we entered the trail we noticed an interesting looking pink Firemans training tower used to train firemen in the late 1970s.   With each step, we discovered more about its history and natural beauty, making memories that would stay with us long after the train carried us away from this picturesque corner of Ontario.

Whether you're a history buff, a nature enthusiast, or simply seeking a quiet escape, St. Catharines promises adventures aplenty for those willing to explore beyond the beaten path.

White Water Walk in Niagara Falls

The White Water Walk in Niagara Falls, Canada is a must see, if only just one. It can be expensive - it can run you up to $20/person during the peak season.

For starters you'll go down to the rapids in an old manual elevator with handle lifts and an elevator operator while you travel 70 metres to reach the base of the Niagara Gorge.  

 

As you exit you immediately enter a long arching tunnel as nostalgic to me as the Brady Bunch (if you don't know who they are - you're too young, lol)

At the other end of the tunnel there's an impressive quarter-mile of boardwalk that runs along the shoreline of the Niagara River. Imagine the poor workman who had to do that job!!

 

 

 

This was the part I enjoyed the most.   There are several lookout points along the boardwalk which literally take you to rapid - level where you will experience crashing waves with an awesome view of the 400 million year old rock formations/layers in the gorge.

 

 Now for the scary part!  The Whirlpool Rapids have been clocked as the most ferocious in the world with a class 6 (according to the whitewater rapids classification guide.  Class 1 being gentle waves; 2 - you might get splashed; Class 3 - you'll get wet; Class 4 - you'll get soaked; Class 5- high adrenaline; and last Class 6- non-navigable!

The boardwalk itself is not very long at quarter mile, so it won't take you long to view the rapids in this self-guided experience, so we went back and forth a few times so I could do it all over again!  

 

If you are a photographer, novice or pro - you'll get the best views at the lower platforms of the water's rage so you might find it worth it to pay the admission.

Happy trails!

Fort Henry National Historic site - Kingston

Just before the sun set in the west, we drove up to the top of the hill where the present day Fort Henry National Historic site is located in Kingston, Ontario on Point Henry.

It didn't take long once we left the car and looked down from the peak to see that it was clearly a very strategic point during the war of 1812.  A strategic, elevated point near the mouth of the Cataraqui River (where it flows into the St. Lawrence River at the east end of Lake Ontario). 

 

 

Even though we visited this site during the COVID-19 pandemic there were still several dozens of people wandering the site with families to see it.  There was plenty of space to keep a safe distance throughout its 66.5 acres of land that the fort covers.

In the 1930s, "Old Fort Henry" was restored to it's present day sate as part of a government work program during the Great Depression. "Old Fort Henry" became a living museum with the introduction of the Fort Henry Guard, and was opened on August 1, 1938.

Today, Fort Henry is jointly owned and operated by both Parks Canada and the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. As an extremely popular tourist attraction, people come from all over the world throughout the year to see the uniformed military guard staff conducting demos of British military life.

 

The Fort is now open for self-guided tours and other activities and demonstrations which include historical reenactments of drills and battle tactics, the Garrison Parade, the Victorian School Room, and the Muster Parade, where young visitors are dressed in period uniforms and taught to march by a qualified member of the Guard. 

 

I would love to live in Kingston where a sunset ceremony is held every Wednesday in July and August, when a full program of historic drill, music and artillery is presented.   During the evenings a year-round tour company conducts tours of the fort that highlight the fort's supposedly haunted past.

Fort Henry has been designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, and in 2007 was included in the designation of the Rideau Canal as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Kingston Mills waterfall and Rideau Canal Locks

The Kingston Mills was constructed under the direction of the commanding officer of the British garrison at Kingston in 1783.  He was told to construct both a saw and a grist mill to provide boards and flour for the Loyalist settlers arriving the following year.

He chose the site of the falls to be the Great Cataraqui River in 1784.  This site was one of the earliest mills sites in Ontario - soon more mills had succeeded shortly thereafter.  

In 1914 - 130 years later the present electric generating station was constructed to harness the power of the falls.

We climbed down around back of the Kingston Mills waterfall to find a low, small to moderate-sized cascade with a total height of about 8 metres.  We were lucky to find it in full flow because it can range from a trickle in summer to torrent in spring.  

Around dusk the sun casts a wide angle across the beach which is located just to the south of the mills.  An open park with shallow, sandy shorelines great for picnics and kid-friendly.  Directly just east of the falls are locks 46 - 49 on the Rideau Canal.

I hadn't been here since I was a child, and didn't recognize it at first until I saw some of the familiar historical landmarks which brought back memories.  

The Rideau canal was designated a National Historic Site of Canada on May 25, 1925 as part of the Rideau Waterway which was designated as a Canadian Heritage river in 2000.

The Rideau Canal is a series of lakes and rivers and connecting locks from Kingston to Ottawa for 202 km (125 miles). 

The Rideau canal was built between 1826 and 1832 by private contractors, John Redpath and Thomas McKay (I looked up Redpath to see if it was the same man who established the Redpath sugar refinery and found that it was)

The Rideau canal not only provided merchants from overseas to ship goods to Montreal and Ontario, but it also was critical in assisting in the defense of Canada by allowing boats to to travel to and from Montreal to the Great Lakes without having to travel down the St. Lawrence in potential gunshot range of the Americans.

It had officially opened in May 1832 and has been operating ever since.

The amazing thing about the locks is that they are still operated by hand, using the same mechanism that were used to operate the locks back in 1832.

There is something really special about being here.  No wonder so many millionaires have built homes along the St. Lawrence along with quaint cottages.  Yet still it all feels so undisturbed where young families are swimming in a sheltered bay while others are busy making sand castles.

It was such an awesome day.

Iroquois Locks Gauging Station - St. Lawrence Seaway

About half an hour north-east of Brockville is a tiny little town called Iroquois situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence Seaway. 

The St. Lawrence Seaway is connected by 5 short canals consisting of 15 locks - I've seen the Welland Canal which consists of 8 locks (7 of them in the north end and the 1 in the south)  which connects Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.

 The Iroquois canal contains only 1 lock and is only 0.3 nautical miles the smallest of the 5 (the other three canals are named South Shore, Beauharnois and the Wiley-Dondero).  

Altogether the Seaway canals are made up of 15 locks which are filled and emptied by gravity.  I've always found this such a spectacular event when it's put in motion.

While visiting, the lock was lifted to allow a large Algoma Conveyor which carries a max cargo dead-weight of 36800 megatons, with the ability to discharge cargo at a rate of 5400 MT an hour.  You've probably seen the Algoma many times if you live near Lake Ontario as it is currently used to trade in all areas of the Great Lakes with cargoes of grain, salt and iron ore among an oleo of other materials (aggregate) carried in 5 separate 'holds' on the vessels.

If you pass through Iroquois you might also want to check out the Iroquois beach in the warmer month especially if you have kids.  The beach is marked by buoy lines and has floating docks connected to the shore.

Great sand and shallow water entry so safer for young kids - they also have lifeguards on staff along with change rooms.

It was a beautiful day in May, so the parking lot was completely full with waiting cars to get in after over a year of being cooped and the long winter this would have explained that!

We made the next detour to the watch the lift locks here instead.  Lots of history right here in Ontario to discover.

 

Brockville Museum, The Mill and Brock trail

The Brock trail runs along the banks of the beautiful St. Lawrence River. The city was named after General Isaac Brock. It is also home of the famous "Pink Pills for Pale People" manufactured by George Fulford. His home is still standing today. 

The Brock Trail is a 8 km scenic pathway, part of the Ontario Waterfront Trail that runs along Brockville's beautiful waterfront and through city parks. The trail also moves north following Butler's Creek and Buell's Creek with the trail ending on Centennial Rd. at the southern border of the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area. 

Brockville Railway Tunnel

Trails are paved and can accommodate bicycles, roller blades, wheelchairs, and strollers. You might also want to visit the Brockville Railway Tunnel, Blockhouse Island, or one of the other parks along the river. Swimming, scuba diving, or just relaxing in one of the riverfront parks are popular activities. 

 

I had to wait until the rain stopped as the skies opened up when I pulled in the parking lot.  It was a very muggy day, so everyone was relieved by the downpour.  Kids were jumping in puddles, even some of the young moms gave up trying to hide under the trees and just allowed themselves to get drenched.

Once the last spell had lifted, I got out of the car and proceeded to the trail.  Just east of the parking lots is a large mill pond first created in the 1790s to serve Daniel Jones saw mill, located near the mouth of Jones' Creek.  

In the 1850s an additional grist Mill was operated by the Shepherd family.  The pond lasted for over 90 years, ans was drained about 1884 to allow for the construction of the CPR rail line to the waterfront.

A little further you can see the Isaac Beecher House.

The land was first granted to United Empire Loyalist Daniel Jones in 1790.  In 1824, Isaac Beecher bought the Jones property and in the 1840 he added the large stone house.  Beecher a tanner by trade owned the house until his death in 1870.  In 1897 the house and surrounded property was sold to the central Canada coal company in 1976 the City of Brockville with the assistance of the Brockville and district historical society bought the site to establish a permanent museum.

In 1981 after restoration and renovation, the Beecher house doors were opened as the Brockville Museum.

During the pandemic a lot of these indoor attractions are closed off from the public - if you're passing through you'll want to check out Brockville.  The homes especially are so unique.  A lot of the historical value is still kept in the small town.  I loved it.