Grimsby, Ontario, a charming town nestled on the shores of Lake Ontario, is a gem in the Niagara Region of Canada. Named after the English fishing town of Grimsby in north-east Lincolnshire, this Canadian town is a blend of natural beauty, rich history, and modern amenities.
Grimsby, Ontario, located at the eastern end of the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area, has seen significant growth over the past two decades. Its strategic position between Hamilton and St. Catharines has made it a desirable place to live. However, the town's growth is limited by the natural boundaries of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment.
Despite some concerns about the impact of development on the town's orchards, Grimsby, Ontario, has managed to maintain a balance between growth and preservation. The town boasts 33 small parks, 17 larger ones, and numerous green spaces, sport fields, parkettes, trails, and facilities. Notable attractions include the Grimsby Museum, the Grimsby Public Library, the Grimsby Public Art Gallery, the West Niagara YMCA, the Danish Church, and the Peach King Centre, home of the Grimsby Peach Kings.
Grimsby, Ontario, was founded in 1790 by a group of United Empire Loyalists from Great Britain. The town, originally named Township Number 6 and then 'The Forty', was renamed Grimsby in 1816 in memory of the seaport town of Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire, England.
Grimsby, Ontario, has undergone many changes over the years. From a small rural village, it became a centre for the manufacture of farm machinery, hospital furniture, furnaces, and other metal products. It later became the hub of the Niagara Peninsula's fruit-growing industry and had a successful fishing industry until the 1960s. Today, with a number of wineries and distilleries, Grimsby serves as the starting point for touring the Niagara wine region.
Grimsby, Ontario, is bisected by the Queen Elizabeth Way, one of the 400-series highways. The town is served by the Grimsby railway station, and a GO Transit train station is planned for operation on the Lakeshore West line. In August 2020, Niagara Region Transit launched a two-year pilot to provide on-demand local and regional transit service for Grimsby and other nearby communities. The town also has a private aerodrome, the Grimsby Regional Airport, located about 6 kms south-west of the town centre.
The first library in Grimsby, Ontario, was opened in 1871. Today, the Grimsby Public Library is housed in a modern building adjacent to the original structure, which now contains the Grimsby Archives. The library grounds also feature the Klosso Eloul sculpture 'Double is One'.
Grimsby Beach, Ontario, is home to the unique "Gingerbread Houses". These houses, painted by owners in bright colours and flourishes, add a touch of whimsy to the area.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Grimsby, Ontario, had a population of 28,883 living in 11,395 of its 11,626 total private dwellings, a change of 5.7% from its 2016 population of 27,314.
Grimsby, Ontario, experiences a varied climate throughout the year. Spring temperatures range from 12 °C – 15 °C, summer temperatures from 21 °C – 33 °C, and fall temperatures from 10 °C – 17 °C. Winter temperatures range from 4 °C to −16 °C, with about 190 cm of snow per year.
