The Dollhouse - A Haunting Experience

The Niagara Region is rich with history that is centuries old. Every municipality in Niagara boasts Victorian mansions, monuments and historical buildings. With so much history in one area is it any wonder that some of these buildings are said to be haunted?

The Mildred Mahoney Dollhouse Gallery or "The Dollhouse" as it is called by locals is considered to be one of the most haunted places in Niagara.



The Dollhouse, 657 Niagara Boulevard, Fort Erie

Located at 657 Niagara Boulevard along the Niagra River in Fort Erie, The Dollhouse was originally built in 1835. During the 19th century the building was a main entry point of the Underground Railway. A large tunnel was located in the basement of the builidng until it was sealed as a result of the owner's son drowning in the tunnel. Today visitors can view recreated quarters that would have served as a safe haven for escaped slaves.It is said that the building is haunted by the spirit of the former owner's drowned son. Current owners describe incidences of objects moving by themselves, creaks on staircases, voices of children and that of an old man.

In addition to being known as a "haunted house," The Mildred Mahoney Dollhouse Gallery was once home to the largest dolls' house collection in the world.

The building is now owned by the Niagara Parks Commission but due to lack of funding it no longer houses it's impressive dollhouse collection. While "The Dollhouse" is no longer operating as a gallery, believers in spirts and paranormal activity and sceptics alike can still stop by to decide for themselves if it truly is haunted.

Interested in haunted houses? Check out Glenn White's experience at The Dollhouse

Sugar's Too - An Intimate Experience

When you were growing up did you ever have a favourite restaurant that your family went to for special occasions? A place that you knew you would receive excellent service and tasty food? Well I did, and that place was (and still is) Sugar’s Too.


Sugar's Too 10416 Lakshore Rd, Port Colborne

Located along the Port Colborne/Wainfleet Lakeshore, Sugar's Too is a cozy little resturant that caters specifically to the needs and wants of its customers. The resurants decor consists of authentic wood beams that hang from the ceiling and tall ship replicas that line the walls, creating a rustic, nautical atmosphere.

Sugar’s Too is operated by a husband and wife team. Stan and Judy have run the small restaurant for roughly sixteen years. Together they have built a unique and memorable business that leaves people eager for their next visit.

Stan and Judy are the only employees at Sugar’s Too which adds to the restaurants intimate atmosphere. Stan acts as the chef while Judy doubles as waitress and bartender.

“Sugars” (as it is often called) can fit about fifty people at one time so make sure you make reservations because this place fills up quick!

While Judy and Stan do very little advertising, their beloved little restaurant is well known on both sides of the border through word of mouth. Their famous fish fry (perch) and steak options continue to attract people’s attention.

So if you’re looking for a new favourite restaurant and head to Sugar’s Too, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

If you're interested in local eating  and agriculture in the Niagara region check out Eating Niagara a website dedicated to the food Niagara has to offer.

Experiencing the Comfort Maple

This past summer my sister Lauren and I decided we wanted to get outside and "do something." We had hiked the well-known trails around our home and were looking for something new.


Lauren at the base of the Comfort Maple

At the insistence of one of our co-workers we decided to check out the oldest sugar maple tree in Canada, the Comfort Maple. Located in Pelham, the 530 year old tree towers about 80 feet in the air and has a circumference of 6 meters. In short, it's massive.



Finding the Comfort Maple Conservation Area proved to be a challenge for Lauren and me. We drove up and down the country roads of Pelham, desperately looking for some kind of sign to direct us. Finally we found the dirt road (I was convinced it was somebody's driveway) that led us to the tree.

At first I had the enthusiastic reaction of "oh great, we're going to see a tree," but once I was standing at the base of it I realized how cool it really was.

I have never felt as small as I did when I was standing at the base of the Comfort Maple. Visiting this spot helped me realize that Niagara has some amazing natural sights that help make it the special place that it is.

If you enjoy visiting the Comfort Maple tree and want to experience other great nature spots in Niagara check out this blog Leaving Footprints  about Niagara hiking trails.

Directions to the Comfort Maple