Heber Down Conservation Area
| Heber Down Conservation Area | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nearest city | Whitby, Ontario |
| Area | 284 ha |
| Governing body | Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority |
Heber Down Conservation Area is located in Whitby, Ontario and is owned and operated by Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority. It is located within the Lynde Creek drainage basin; it is a part of the provincially significant Heber Down Wetland Complex.[1] The area is composed of two types of broad terrain units: a valley formed by the creek and the Glacial Lake Iroquois beach.[2] The area provides such recreational activities as hiking, picnicking, and fishing.[3]
Cultural history
In the late 19th and early 20th century, a deep gully, incising the area, was used by horse thieves as a layover. Local inhabitants interpreted the noises produced by the thieves and horses in a superstitious way: they assumed that the Devil was holding court there. Hence, the gully was named Devil's Den.[3]
During the 1910s, the Canadian Northern Railway constructed a new line to provide passenger service from Toronto to Trenton. A bridge over the Devil's Den was completed in March 1910. While the bridge itself has been demolished, remains of cement abutments and piers that served as a foundation of the bridge can still be found in the area.[3]
References
- ^ "Heber Down Conservation Area". Ontario Trails Council. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ "Natural Areas Report: HEBER DOWN CONSERVATION AREA". Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2006-06-05. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ a b c "Heber Down Conservation Area Brochure" (PDF). Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority. Retrieved 2008-05-09.