Hamilton

All tours go – Rain or Shine

Hamilton

Contact
David Simpson

(905) 527-1174

2009 is the inaugural Hamilton Jane's Walk!  All walks are FREE.

Check below for details about the walks and where to meet.

Jane's Walk of Westdale

  • Councillor Brian McHattie
  • Saturday, May 2, 2009
  • 11:00am
  • Walk: -
open

Westdale Village is considered North America's first "planned community."  It was initially outside the Hamilton City Limits when construction began (and then was complicated by the Great Depression).  It has a circular pattern of streets surrounding its business district.  It grew to become one of Hamilton's preferred neighbourhoods.  It is next door to the ever-growing McMaster University campus and that growth has had an evident impact on the demographics of Westdale Village.  The tour will explore some of the history of Westdale and what has changed and what still works from the original plan.  See the second ever Tim Horton's location... witness the site of the first Mother's Pizza restaurant....  see the last of Hamilton's old-style Movie Theatres...

Meeting Place: Westdale Library, 955 King Street West, Hamilton.

Tour guide(s): Councillor Brian McHattie

End Location: Back at the library (same as the starting point)

Neighbourhood Westdale Village

Public Transit Directions: The Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) has buses that stop near the starting point of the walk.

Accessible

Parking Available

-

close

Jane's Walk on James North

  • Charlie Mattina
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 1:00pm
  • Walk: -
open

JAMES NORTH is a unique, exciting and vibrant neighbourhood currently undergoing a renaissance in the heart of Hamilton. Historically known as the direct link between the escarpment, the downtown and the waterfront, James North is once again playing an important role in connecting the city to its attractions. A commerical and cultural hub, it is home to many specialty shops, food markets, restaurants, cafes and art galleries.

History is very much alive and well on James North and one has to look no further than the interesting and intact streetscape to experience it. The former CN (now LIUNA) Station, Christs Church Cathedral and the Armouries are just a few of the landmarks located on the street. Buildings dating back to the 1880s can be found here and interestingly enough are not the oldest on James North.

For decades, new immigrants disembarked from ships and later railcars at the harbour shoreline, many taking up residence on and around James North. Many local Italians, Jewish, Hungarians and Portuguese and trace their Canadian roots back to this neighbourhood.

Charlie Mattina is one of them. His parents came to Hamilton from Sicily and raised their family in the James North area. His stories of growing up here are interesting, funny and insightful. He will talk about the people, places and things that shaped his life.

Meeting Place: Mixed Media, 154 James North (at Cannon

Tour guide(s): Charlie Mattina

End Location: (same as the starting point)

Neighbourhood James North

Public Transit Directions: The Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) has buses that stop near the starting point of the walk.

Accessible

Parking Available

Municipal lots close by

close