George Hamilton 1787-1836. Born at Queenston, George Hamilton was the son of a prosperous merchant, the Hon. Robert Hamilton. He followed his father's career as a merchant in the Niagara District until the War of 1812, in which he served as a Captain of Light Dragoons. In 1815 Hamilton acquired land here at the Head of the Lake, laid out a village plot, and sold lots. When the settlement was chosen as the administrative centre of the Gore District in 1816, he gave land for a court-house square. A reformer in politics, George Hamilton was a member of the Assembly for this area from 1821 to 1830. The settlement which Hamilton laid out was named in his honour, and became a Police Village in 1833.
50 Main Street East, Hamilton, ON, Canada
On this site was established in March 1878 by Hugh Cossart Baker the first telephone exchange in the British Empire
8 Main Street East, Hamilton, ON, Canada
St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral. One of the few Roman Catholic churches in Ontario retaining its pre-Confederation character, St. Mary's was erected in 1859-60 during the episcopate of Bishop John Farrell to replace a building destroyed by fire. It was designed by Frederick Kortum, a German-born architect who died before the church was completed, and was built with volunteer labour provided by parishioners. Gothic Revival in style, the imposing structure is distinguished by its massive bell tower and stone trim. The church's most impressive feature, however, is its magnificent interior with elaborately-carved high altar fashioned by Montreal architect Zépherin Perrault and fine stained-glass windows made in Bavaria. The seat of the Bishop of Hamilton until 1927, St. Mary's now serves as a substitute cathedral for the diocese.
146 Park Street North, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Christ's Church Cathedral. An important ecclesiastical centre for the Niagara Peninsula, Christ's Church was erected in stages, its form altered as the size and prominence of the congregation increased. Begun in 1835 as a parish church, the frame building was expanded in 1852-54 with the addition of a stone chancel and nave extension designed by the renowned Toronto architect William Thomas. The present nave, fashioned by Henry Langley, a specialist in church architecture noted for his masterly High Victorian Gothic designs, was completed in 1876, a year after Christ's Church was designated the cathedral for the newly-formed Diocese of Niagara. Although the building has undergone various alterations and renovations since then, notably the extension of the chancel in 1924-25, it retains its handsome 19th-century character.
252 James Street North, Hamilton, ON, Canada
The North Drill Hall 1887 - 1987. Built to house the XIIIth Battalion of Volunteer Militia, it replaced a wooden drill shed located near this spot which was consumed by fire on May 23rd, 1886, prompting the erection of this building. First occupied by the Regiment on December 1, 1887, it was the home of the XIIIth until November, 1908, when the south drill hall was built. Co-tenant of this drill hall in 1888 was the Hamilton Field Battery, perpetuated by the 11th Field Battery R.C.A., reported to be Canada’s oldest continuing volunteer battery. The XIIIth in 1927 became the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.
200 James Street North, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Whitehern. This stately mansion is a finely crafted and well-preserved example of Hamilton’s early stone architecture. Built no later than 1850 for city clerk and attorney Richard Duggan, it was purchased in 1852 by Calvin McQuesten, M.D. (1801-85), a prosperous manufacturer and philanthropist. Following his death, McQuesten’s descendants occupied Whitehern until 1968 when it was bequeathed to the City of Hamilton for use as a public museum. The home’s interior displays family possessions dating from three centuries and various styles of decor popular between 1860 and 1930. Despite changes dictated by time and fashion, the house and grounds retain much of their original appearance.
41 Jackson Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Hamilton Central Public School. This school, built to accommodate 1,000 students, was the largest graded school in Upper Canada, and became the only public school in Hamilton, at the time of its opening in 1853. Among the earliest examples of an institution inspired by the reforms of Egerton Ryerson, the province’s chief superintendent of education (1844-76), it incorporated his scheme of an integrated, rational, and graduated public education system based upon a central school and primary feeders. The building’s original finely proportioned Classical design, by the firm of Cumberland and Ridout, was extensively remodelled in 1890 by the Hamilton architect, James Balfour. His alterations, including a steeply pitched roof, certain round-arched windows and a heightened central tower, created an edifice in conformity with late Victorian tastes.
75 Hunter Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada
McMaster University 1887. The Honourable William McMaster (1811-1887), a prominent banker and member of the first Senate of Canada, bequeathed funds which enabled Baptists of Ontario and Quebec to found this university. Incorporated in 1887, it was the culmination of educational work sponsored for half a century by Canadian Baptists. Originally established in Toronto, the university was moved in 1930 to this site. Citizens of Hamilton made a gift of land and financed the science building, Hamilton Hall. In 1957 the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec relinquished ownership and control, although the denominational connection was continued through the incorporation and affiliation of McMaster Divinity College.
1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada
St. Paul's Church. Begun in 1854 and completed three years later, this Presbyterian church was designed in the Gothic Revival style by architect William Thomas. The elegant eighty-foot spire set atop a hundred-foot tower marks the building as an outstanding example of Canadian Victorian church architecture. Despite the subsequent enlargement of the chancel, the original quality of the interior has been kept by the retention, in their original form, of the central pulpit, gallery and pews. Named St. Andrew's when the first minister, the Reverend Alexander Gale, took office in 1833, the congregation originally held services in the court house and later in a small frame building on this site. In 1874 its name was changed to St. Paul's.
70 James Street South, Hamilton, ON, Canada
St. Paul's Presbyterian Church / L'Église Presbytérienne St. Paul. Erected in 1854-1857, St. Paul's (formerly St. Andrew's) is an elegant example of the Gothic Revival style. The design of the church shows the influence of the Ecclesiological Movement which favoured plans based on English medieval parish churches. Architect William Thomas's use of historically correct ornament, superb interior woodwork, side porches and a tower with a striking stone spire also reflects such models. Except for the later deepening of the chancel, and the addition of clerestory and stained-glass windows, St. Paul's has survived with relatively little alteration. / Construite entre 1854 et 1857, l'église St. Paul (autrefois St. Andrew) est un élégant bâtiment néo-gothique. Son plan, dessiné par l'architecte William Thomas, dénote l'influence du mouvement ecclésiologique anglican, axé sur le style des églises paroissiales de l'Angleterre médiévale. Son ornementation historiquement authentique, ses superbes boiseries, ses porches latéraux et sa tour surmontée d'une impressionnante flèche en pierre sont typiques de ce style. Exception faite de l'agrandissement du choeur et de l'ajout d'une claire-voie et de vitraux, elle est restée remarquablement intacte.
70 James Street South, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Lieutenant Charles Davidson Dunbar, D.C.M. 1870-1939. Joueur de cornemuse de réputation internationale, Dunbar naquit à Halkirk, en Écosse. En 1886, il s’engagea dans l’armée britannique et commença une carrière distinguée comme cornemuseur militaire. Blessé pendant la Guerre des Boers, alors qu’il sonnait l’attaque, son courage lui valut la Distinguished Conduct Medal. En 1911, il émigra à Hamilton et s’engagea au 91e Highlanders (aujourd’hui régiment Argyll et Sutherland). Il prit part à la Première guerre mondiale comme cornemuseur-major du 19e bataillon. Très respecté pour son sens élevé du devoir et sa conduite impeccable, célèbre comme musicien et membre de fanfare, Dunbar reçut de nombreuses distinctions dont la plus notable fut sa promotion au grade de lieutenant, en 1917. C’était la première fois dans l’histoire des armées canadiennes ou britanniques qu’un cornemuseur-major était promu officier cornemuseur.
English translation: Lieutenant Charles Davidson Dunbar, D.C.M. 1870-1939. Dunbar was an internationally renowned bagpipes player and was born in Halkirk, Scotland. In 1886 he joined the British army and began a distinguished career as a military bagpiper. Injured during the Boer War, as he sounded the attack, his courage earned him the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In 1911 he emigrated to Hamilton and joined 91 Highlanders (now Argyll and Sutherland). He took part in World War I as co-Major of the 19th Battalion. Highly respected for his high sense of duty and impeccable conduct, famous as a musician and band member, Dunbar received numerous awards, the most notable of which was his promotion to the rank of lieutenant in 1917. It was the first time in the history of Canadian or British armies that a bagman was promoted to a bagman officer. [AWS Translate]
200 James Street North, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Lieutenant Charles Davidson Dunbar, D.C.M. 1870-1939. An internationally renowned piper, Dunbar was born in Halkirk, Scotland. In 1886 he joined the British army, embarking upon a distinguished career as a military piper. During the Boer War, Dunbar was wounded while piping troops into battle. For his gallantry he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In 1911 he emigrated to Hamilton where he soon joined the 91st (later the Argyll and Sutherland) Highlanders. As pipe-major of the 19th Battalion, he saw action during the First World War. Widely respected for his devotion to duty and gentlemanly demeanour and acclaimed as a musician and bandsman, Dunbar received many honours. Unique among them was his appointment as lieutenant in 1917, the first pipe-major to become a pipe-officer in the history of Canadian and British forces.
200 James Street North, Hamilton, ON, Canada
John Weir Foote Armoury / Le Manège Militaire John Weir Foote Armoury. The north section of this building (1887-1888) is a rare surviving example of the second wave of armoury construction in Canada. Designed by Henry James, it exemplifies the replacement of earlier wooden drill sheds with substantial brick structures. They provided increased security for arms storage and underlined the importance of city militia units as the country's first line of defence. The south section (1908), designed by Stewart and Whitton, reflects a subsequent phase of construction and militia reforms, which encouraged the increasing effectiveness of Canada's expanding armed forces. / L’aile nord de cet édifice (1887-1888) est l’un des rares bâtiments existants issus de la deuxième vague de construction de manèges militaires au pays. Dessinée par Henry James, elle témoigne du remplacement des anciens hangars d’exercice en bois par de grands bâtiments de brique. Entrepôts plus sécuritaires pour les armes, ceux-ci soulignaient en outre l’importance des unités de milice urbaines comme première ligne de défense du pays. L’aile sud (1908), conçue par Stewart et Whitton, se rattache à une phase subséquente de construction et de réformes de la milice qui augmentèrent l’efficacité des forces armées du Canada, alors en expansion.
200 James Street North, Hamilton, ON, Canada
The Lieutenant-Colonel John Weir Foote, VC, CD Armoury / Manege Militaire Lieutenant-Colonel John Weir Foote, VC, CD. This armoury is dedicated to the memory of Lieutenant-Colonel John Weir Foote, VC, CD, Padre of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. Padre Foote was awarded the Victoria Cross for valour during the raid on Dieppe on 19 August 1942. Without thought for his personal safety, Padre Foote chose to remain with the prisoners of war to give physical and spiritual comfort to the wounded and dying men of his own and sister regiments. 8 September 1990 / Ce manege militaire est dedie a la memoire du Lieutenant-Colonel John Weir Foote, VC, CD, Padre du “The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry”. La Croix Victoria fut decerne au Padre Foote pour valeur lors du raid de Dieppe, le 19 aout 1942. Sans egard pour sa securite personnelle, le Padre Foote choisi de demeurer avec les prisonniers de guerre afin de pourvoir au confort spirituel et physique, des blesses et des mourants; de son regiment et des regiments soeurs. Le 8 septembre 1990
200 James Street North, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Acting Sergeant John Rennie, G.C. 1919-1943. "Jock" Rennie was awarded the George Cross posthumously in May 1944 for an instinctive, selfless act of heroism. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, he came to Ontario with his family as a child and grew up in Kitchener. Rennie enlisted in The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's) at Hamilton in July 1940, and went overseas with them to England in the summer of 1943. On October 29, 1943, he was supervising a grenade-throwing exercise near Riddlesworth when a live grenade fell back into the trench. Rennie pushed one of his men aside and tried to throw the grenade clear. At that moment it exploded. His body shielded others from harm, but he died of his injuries. / Le sergent intérimaire «Jock» Rennie s’est vu décerner la Croix de Georges, à titre posthume, en mai 1944 pour un acte d’héroïsme spontané et désintéressé. Né à Aberdeen, en Écosse, le jeune Rennie s’est installé avec sa famille en Ontario et a grandi à Kitchener. Il s’est enrôlé dans The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s) à Hamilton, en juillet 1940, avec lesquels il s’est rendu en Angleterre au cours de l’été de 1943. Le 29 octobre 1943, Rennie surveillait un exercice de lancer de grenades près de Riddlesworth, lorsqu’une grenade active retomba dans la tranchée. Rennie écarta l’un de ses hommes et tenta de lancer la grenade au loin, juste au moment où elle explosait. Son corps protégea ses hommes mais Rennie succomba à ses blessures.
200 James Street North, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Whitehern. Set in a rare walled garden and enriched by its interior decoration, Whitehern is a remarkably intact example of mid-19th century residential architecture. The lingering influence of the Palladian style combined with Neoclassical motifs is seen most clearly in the symmetrical facade with its central frontispiece capped by a pediment, and in the sturdy yet graceful entrance porch supported by Ionic columns. Constructed about 1850, this house built of locally quarried stone reflected the affluence and status of the new business and professional elites emerging in pre-Confederation Canada. / Entourée d’un exceptionnel jardin muré, Whitehern offre un exemple remarquablement intact d’habitation du milieu du XIXe siècle. L’empreinte du style palladien, auquel s’allient des motifs néo-classiques, est particulièrement manifeste dans la façade symétrique, dont le frontispice central est couronné d’un fronton, et dans le porche à la fois solide et élégant qui s’appuie sur des colonnes ioniques. Construite vers 1850, cette maison de pierre locale, avec son riche décor intérieur, témoigne de l’opulence et du statut des élites commerçante et professionnelle qui se formaient au Canada peu avant la Confédération.
41 Jackson Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada
HMCS Haida / NCSM Haida. HMCS Haida is the last of the Tribal Class destroyers which saw heavy action with the Australian, British and Canadian navies during World War II. Built for the Royal Canadian Navy at Newcastle, England, in 1942, this ship served on the frigid Murmansk run and in clearing the English Channel for the Normandy invasion. She helped sink 14 enemy vessels. Haida was recommissioned in 1952 and served two tours of duty with the United Nations in Korea, taking part in shore bombardment, blockades and attacks on trains. / Le NCSM Haida est le dernier des destroyers de la classe Tribal qui participèrent à des combats importants aux côtés des marines australienne, britannique et canadienne pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Construit pour la marine canadienne à Newcastle (Angleterre), en 1942, il a escorté des convois vers Mourmansk, participé aux préparatifs d’invasion de la Normandie dans la Manche et aidé à couler 14 navires ennemis. Remis en service en 1952, il a pris part à des opérations de tir côtier, de blocus et d’attaque de trains à l’appui des forces des Nations Unies en Corée.
Pier 9, 658 Catharine Street North, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Dundurn Castle / Le Château Dundurn. This villa was completed in 1835 for Allan Napier MacNab. Incorporating an existing farmhouse, it was designed by the local architect, Robert Wetherell, as a statement of its owner's place in Hamilton society. The house features an eclectic blend of classical and Italianate motifs, French windows, broad verandahs and a panoramic view of Burlington Bay. With its outbuildings and grounds, Dundurn Castle stands as an important example of the Picturesque Movement in Canada. After years in private hands, the property was purchased by the city and from 1964 to 1967 restored to its former splendour. / Achevée en 1835, cette villa fut construite pour Allan Napier MacNab. Pour son concepteur, Robert Wetherell, elle devait témoigner du statut social de son propriétaire. Incorporant une ancienne maison de ferme, elle affiche un amalgame éclectique de lignes classiques et de motifs à l’italienne, des portes fenêtres, de grandes vérandas, et offre une vue splendide sur la baie. Avec des dépendances et ses parcs, elle constitue un important exemple du style pittoresque au Canada. Residence privée pendant de nombreuses années, elle a été achetée par la ville de Hamilton, qui l’a restaurée de 1964 à 1967.
610 York Boulevard, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Sir Allan Napier MacNab 1798 - 1862. Politician, businessman, land speculator and soldier, Allan MacNab enjoyed a very public life. He was a successful lawyer and was appointed Upper Canada's first Queen's Counsel. In 1838 he was knighted for his role in suppressing the rebellion in Upper Canada. The profits from his extensive land speculation were fed into a variety of projects, including construction of his monument, Dundurn. He was influential in establishing the Gore Bank and in promoting the Great Western Railway. During a political career spanning three decades, he was three times Speaker and, from 1854 to 1856, Premier. / Homme politique, homme d’affaires, spéculateur foncier, officier militaire et avocat, Allan MacNab eut une longue vie publique. Premier conseiller de la reine au Haut-Canada, il fut créé chevalier en 1838, en récompense de son rôle répressif lors de la Rébellion. Il contribua à l’établissement de la Gore Bank et du Great Western Railway. Il investit les profits de ses spéculations dans divers projets dont la construction de ce château, Dundurn, qui devait prolonger sa mémoire. Au cours de ses quelque 30 ans de carrière politique, il fut président de la Chambre à trois reprises et premier ministre de 1854 à 1856.
610 York Boulevard, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Sir John Harvey 1778 - 1852. From these heights, Lieutenant-Colonel John Harvey set out with about 700 men on the night of June 5, 1813, to launch a surprise attack on an invading United States force of some 3,000 men camped at Stoney Creek. His rout of the troops commanded by Brigadier-General John Chandler under cover of darkness in the early hours of June 6, is generally credited with saving Upper Canada from being overrun by the enemy. Harvey was knighted in 1824, served as Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, 1834-41, Governor of Newfoundland, 1841-46, and Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, 1846-51.
610 York Boulevard, Hamilton, ON, Canada