Inglis Falls facts for kids
Inglis Falls is a beautiful waterfall near Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. It is one of three waterfalls around the city. Inglis Falls is the biggest and most popular of them all.
The waterfall is inside the 200-hectare Inglis Falls Conservation Area. It is about 18-metre-high (59 ft). The Sydenham River creates the falls as it flows over the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. You cannot swim in the area, but you can hike down to the bottom of the waterfall. The Conservation Area has 7.42 km of trails for hiking and mountain biking.
The area is home to many plants and animals. You can find 20 types of ferns here. Many different birds also live in the area. In the late fall, salmon swim up the river to lay their eggs.
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What is Inglis Falls?
Inglis Falls is a type of waterfall called a cascade. This means the water flows over a series of rock steps. It is a great place to explore nature and learn about geology. The rocks here are part of the Niagara Escarpment. This is a long cliff that stretches across parts of Canada and the United States.
Nature and Wildlife
The Inglis Falls Conservation Area is a special place for nature lovers. It has many different kinds of plants. You can see various types of ferns growing here. The area is also a good spot for birdwatching. Many birds make their homes in the trees and along the river.
In autumn, you might see salmon in the river. They swim upstream to lay their eggs. This is a natural event called spawning. It is amazing to watch these fish make their journey.
Fun Activities at the Falls
The Conservation Area offers many outdoor activities. Hiking is very popular here. There are trails for all skill levels. You can walk through the woods and enjoy the fresh air. Mountain biking is also allowed on some trails. Remember to stay on marked paths to protect nature.
History of the Falls Area
For a long time, people have used the water from Inglis Falls. In the past, some water was used to make electricity. It also powered mills that processed grain and wool. The city of Owen Sound even used water from here for drinking.
Early Mills and Buildings
In 1862, a Scottish immigrant named Peter Inglis built a large mill here. It was a four-story grist mill. A grist mill grinds grain into flour. Before that, another mill was started in 1842 but not finished.
The Inglis mill was later taken down. A woolen mill was built in its place in the 1870s. This mill made cloth from wool. It burned down in 1885 but was rebuilt. Sadly, it burned down again in 1901 and was not rebuilt. Later, a sawmill was built nearby. A sawmill cuts logs into lumber.
In 1910, a plant was built to clean water for Owen Sound residents. You can still see the ruins of this old building today.
Ownership and Changes
The Inglis family owned a mill near the falls until 1932. Then, the city of Owen Sound bought the property. Another person, Emil Henkel, ran a mill there until 1945. That mill was badly damaged by fire.
Today, the Conservation Area still has some old buildings. You can see a stone family home. There are also ruins of a mill below the falls. Large millstones, used for grinding grain, are also still on site. These old structures remind us of the area's past.
