Rumours of a mysterious “Town of Lincoln” have circulated in the Niagara region for years. Although there is little physical evidence that such a community actually exists, the legend has become a fixture in local folklore. Believers most often cite signs reading “Town of Lincoln” stuck randomly across the region as proof that the “town” is real, but sceptics point out that the signs are located sometimes as much as 30 miles from each other and are often clearly within the jurisdiction of other municipalities.
Most experts have discounted such claims for years, suggesting that the signs are actually the work of an intergenerational cabal of teenagers from Western Hill, who erect them at arbitrary points around Niagara to confuse locals. Brock University geography professor Dr. Warner Furst has examined the signs scattered across the region. Calling the Town of Lincoln an urban myth, Dr. Furst states, “It is apparent that this is simply an elaborate joke.”
Some supporters aren’t so sure, going so far as to suggest “Lincoln” is a freshwater Atlantis and is actually on an island located several miles off the Grimsby coast of Lake Ontario. According to boater Bob “Scupper” McDougall, he has seen the island several times. “Yup, pretty weird, right? But if you’re out there at just the right time – sundown is best – and look straight over toward Toronto, right? Well, you can make out this low island and sometimes even see people waving at ya.” Mr McDougall suggested that the fabled island/town is easier to see after several Canadian Clubs.
However, it now appears that the controversy has been laid to rest. “Look,” Dr Furst concludes, “Have you ever heard anyone say, ‘Oh, I live in the Town of Lincoln.’ Of course not. The ‘town’ has no comprehensible borders and its so-called ‘town hall’ is in the middle of Beamsville,” he said. “I’m afraid it’s time to put an end to myth, charming as it is, and just accept that the ‘Town of Lincoln’ is about as real as Camelot.”
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