Griffin House - A Historically Significant Component of Ancaster’s History

Now part of the Dundas Valley Conservation Authority Trust properties, and thus part of the Dundas Valley Conservation Area, is a home stead built in 1827 , and bought by Enerals Griffin and his wife Priscilla in 1834 from George Hogeboom.

Enerals was an African-American immigrant from Virginia who had originally been born into slavery.

Located in Ancaster, the house sits just on the outskirts of the historic village of Mineral Springs. The house is a significant historic component of Ancaster’s history.

At the time of the Griffin’s purchase the area was mostly European settlers in the area. The Griffin family thrived and his family lived & farmed there and later generations held onto the property until the late 1990’s when it was passed into the care of the Dundas Valley Conservation Area Trust.

This is a provincially and federally recognized heritage site.

It is located not far from the Hermitage ruins in Ancaster, and the Dundas Valley Conservation Area parking area is the place to start your hike if you came by car. Within about 10-15 minutes (depending on whether you are hiking by yourself or with kids) you will reach Griffin House. It is currently closed, yet information about this wonderful monument to African-American settlers can be found on the Dundas Valley Conservation Area’s website.

Some of the historic plaques on display at the site can be seen in the pictures at the bottom of our homepage.

Please do like myself and check out this site. It is worth the hike.