Then: Willoughby Hall

Willoughby Hall. Willoughby Manor.

Willoughby Hall was built by the first Reeve of Chippawa, James Cummings, sometime between 1830 and 1840. Cummings, born in 1789, was the son of Thomas Cummings, the first settler in Chippawa. A successful merchant, he fought in the war of 1812 and became active in politics. He served as Reeve, Justice of the Peace, and Member of the Legislature. He was also involved in the incorporation of the Erie and Ontario Railroad in 1835.

For many years up until the nineteen-fifties, Willoughby Hall was owned by Fred Marsh, owner of the Marsh Winery. After a large addition and several beautiful restorations, it is now the Willoughby Manor Retirement Residence.

Now: Willoughby Manor

Architecturally, the facade of this impressive house is dominated by a two-storey classical style portico, which features fluted columns with ionic capitals, entablatures at both levels, and a barrel roof with a closed semicircular pediment. Inside, the original curved staircase remains, although a ballroom, once located on the second floor, has been lost.

Willoughby Manor is currently operating as a 51 suite, fully assisted living community. It is the smallest retirement residence in Niagara Falls.

City of Niagara Falls. Living Heritage. Willoughby Manor. (Undated - accessed 2021). https://niagarafalls.ca/living/heritage/273194-willoughby-manor.hp

Niagara Falls Public Library. 2017. Niagara Falls - Then & Now: A Photographic Journey Through The Years. Willoughby Hall / Willoughby Manor.

Niagara Falls Then and Now
A collaborative project
Niagara Falls Museums - Niagara Falls Public Library - Dept. of Geography and Tourism Studies,Brock University.
Original newspaper series by Sherman Zavitz, Official Historian for the City of Niagara Falls from 1994 - 2019.

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