For fifty years, world-famous Canadian artist Julius Griffith (1912-1997) and his wife Lialia (1917-2005) owned the land now traversed by the eastern section of the Griffith Ravine Side Trail. Avid walkers, Julius, and Lialia spent many happy hours with their children roaming this property. Julius and Lialia were early supporters of the Bruce Trail, enthusiastically agreeing in the 1970’s to allow the main Bruce Trail to cross their land.
Born in Vancouver, Julius studied art in Canada before travelling to England, where he met and married Lialia, a nurse from Russia. During WW II, Julius joined the Royal Navy, serving as an interpreter. After the war, Julius and Lialia moved to Canada, where Julius taught art and established a reputation as a graphic artist and painter.
Falling in love with the striking landscape on the east and west side of 4th Line EHS, and wishing to protect it from development, Julius and Lialia purchased 92 acres of hills, ravines, and forest. They nurtured this land, planting many trees, and renovating a derelict farm house into a beloved home. Many of Julius’s artworks were inspired by the land in this area.
Julius’s work can be found in numerous public and private galleries, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian War Museum, the Imperial War Museum, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
At their request, the ashes of Julius and Lialia were scattered on this land. This is the place that was most important to them.
The Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club named this Side Trail after the Griffith family to thank and recognize them as early landowners who generously agreed to share access to their land with the Bruce Trail Conservancy.