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The Hermitage
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Article by Laurie Doyle

The History
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Trying to find the history about a place is an easy task. Type in a keyword and all the information pops up on your screen. The hard part is letting your mind go beyond the names and dates and imagine the lives that were lived long before we were even thought of. They laughed and cried, loved and lost. Things haven't changed in that way. The hermitage in Ancaster is no different from anywhere else in that way. The men and women who lived there have stories to tell and some of them remain still to share their stories with future generations.

It started in 1830 when a Presbyterian Minister named Reverend George Sheed bought the property and built his home. He then began work on his dream of building and ministering in his own church. Sadly he never saw those dreams realized. He died before the church was finished and the congregation had his funeral as the first service held in that church.

In 1933 a man by the name of Otto Ives bought the Hermitage and with his wife and niece they moved in. It wasn't long before his niece, who was considered to a true beauty, managed to catch a local coachman's attention. His name was William Black, and because of his station in life he was denied permission by Otto when he asked for the beauty's hand in marriage. He went to the gatehouse and killed himself. They buried his body at the nearest crossroads that now been aptly renamed Lovers Lane. To this day if you listen closely enough you can hear William crying over his lost love, maybe you'll see him wandering the grounds. Sometimes he's alone and occasionally he walks with a woman at his side.

In 1855 the house was sold again to George Gordon Browne Leith. He was the second son of Major-General Sir George Alexander Leith. As the second son he would not inherit the title or estate so he was given a pension and he moved with his family to Canada. George poured two thousand pounds into building a new and modern home with attendant buildings on the property. By 1861 the property was a well-developed farm with 150 of 250 acres cleared and cultivated. A farm that he used to feed his family and severa

In 1865 George sold 10 acres to his daughter and her husband, Mr. And Mrs. Wright. They built their 18-room home on their new parcel of land. It was only five years later that they sold their 10 acres and it wasn't until 1880 that the home became a hotel and summer spa that boasted the Mineral Springs. The springs healing effect was felt by all those that patronized the beautiful hotel.

Shortly after George and Alexander died in 1901, George's youngest daughter, Alma Dick-Lauder, bought the estate for $5,500. from the surviving family. By 1910 the hotel had been ravaged by two fires and the hotel was shut down. An era had ended but it was not over.

Alma lived and laughed, cried and loved there for many years but in 1934 during a party at the house they were once again victims to fire. The fire burned out of control and the house was left in ruins. Alma was 79 years old and she was not about to leave the house and home that she loved. She erected a tent beside the ruins and lived in it until they built her another home.

It was in 1942 that Alma died at the age of 87. It is possible that she remains at the home she loved so much.

The Hauntings
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The land, (now owned by the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority) still whispers with voices of the past. It has been said that the woods surrounding the ruins are haunted. Old trees and vines creek loudly in the wind, wildlife is scarce and there is stillness in the air that makes you shiver with anticipation and fear.

It is rumored that sometime during the mid 1800's one of the young black slaves fell in love with his white masters daughter. Although it is not known which family she belonged to, it is known that she loved him equally as much. They had a wildly romantic love affair but when they were caught it devastated her. Shortly after, she killed herself and when he heard the news he hung himself from a willow tree in a truly Shakespearean tragedy.

There are other rumors that there have been murders and satanic rituals in the woods surrounding the Hermitage. All the rumors and stories added to the very daunting woods and it is no wonder that people are reporting strange occurrences almost daily. One that sticks out was reported by a group of young men who saw an apparition of the house restored to it's former glory with lights on in the windows and very obvious signs of life.

Others have reported hearing footsteps following them; whispers behind them and one person reported having seen a glowing corpse that vanished when they went in for a better look at it.

The Hermitage is filled with history and romantic tragedy's that grab a person's attention and keep them fascinated through out their lives. The rumors and dark stories as well as the sightings and chilling woods make it a place that will forever be whispered about when the darkness falls and the moonlight shines.

By Laurie Doyle, for Haunted Hamilton

Final Note
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Please note that the Hermitage is owned by the Hamilton Conservation Authority. The park closes at dusk and venturing out after this time is considered trespassing. Please be respectful of this historic piece of property.

We do however, encourage you to join Haunted Hamilton on one of our Ghost Walks at the Hermitage Ruins.

For dates and times, please visit www.ghostwalks.com.

** photographs taken by Stephanie Lechniak-Cumerlato

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