King Street, (Hamilton, Ontario)

King Street is a Lower City arterial road in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, also known as Highway 8. The western-end starts off in front of the "McMaster Medical Centre" as a two-way street and passes through Westdale and then at "Paradise Road South", "King Street" switches over to a one-way street (Westbound) right through the city's core up to "the Delta", a spot in town where "King" and Main Streets intersect. (West of "the Delta", King Street is North of Main Street. East of "the Delta" after "King" crosses over Main Street, King then runs South of Main Street.) From "the Delta" onwards "King Street" then switches over to become a two-way street again and ends at Queenston Road in Stoney Creek.

Note: "Queenston Road", runs parallel with "King Street", then "King Street" flows northward where it connects and ends at "Queenston Road".

History

"King Street" follows the path of an old Indian Trail and was named after King George III. ] CHCH-TV 11 studios are now at the corner of Jackson Street West and "Caroline Streets". The old studio building on "King Street West" is now the [http://www.westsidelive.com/ Westside Concert Theatre] .

In 1966, "Terminal Towers" including a new eight-storey Holiday Inn opened on the site of the old "transit terminal" between King and Main at Catharine Street. It's now called "Effort Square" and the hotel is a "Ramada Plaza Hotel". cite web|last = Johnston| first = Bill| title = Hamilton Spectator article: "Lament for a Downtown"| url=http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Render&c=Page&cid=1021025161885| accessdate = 2007-04-08]

Architecture

Modern day architectural developments on "King Street" include the following, Phase 1 of Lloyd D. Jackson Square (mall) was completed, including Stelco Tower and Bank of Montreal Pavilion in 1972. cite web|last = Johnston| first = Bill| title = Hamilton Spectator article: "Lament for a Downtown"| url=http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Render&c=Page&cid=1021025161885| accessdate = 2007-04-08] Then in 1977, the second phase of "Jackson Square" was completed with a six-storey office tower, but not the department store intended to be its major attraction. cite web|last = Johnston| first = Bill| title = Hamilton Spectator article: "Lament for a Downtown"| url=http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Render&c=Page&cid=1021025161885| accessdate = 2007-04-08] Also in 1977, The Art Gallery of Hamilton opened beside the "Board of Education building." cite web|last = Manson| first = Bill| title = Gallery of distinction.| url=http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1116022219911&call_pageid=1014656484795| accessdate = 2007-04-08] In 1981, The "Hamilton Convention Centre" and the government office tower above it opened. The tower was named the Ellen Fairclough Building one year later in 1982. cite web| title = Skyscraperpage.com: Hamilton, Ontario| url=http://www.skyscraperpage.com/cities/?cityID=307| accessdate = 2007-04-08] In 1983, the "Standard Life Centre" opened at the west end of "Jackson Square". cite web|last = Johnston| first = Bill| title = Hamilton Spectator article: "Lament for a Downtown"| url=http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Render&c=Page&cid=1021025161885| accessdate = 2007-04-08] In 1985, Sheraton Hamilton, connected to "Jackson Square", opened, boosting downtown Hamilton's hotel space. cite web|last = Johnston| first = Bill| title = Hamilton Spectator article: "Lament for a Downtown"| url=http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Render&c=Page&cid=1021025161885| accessdate = 2007-04-08] In 1985, Copps Coliseum, sports and entertainment arena with a capacity of up to 19,000 (depending on event type and configuration) opens its doors for business (one block North of "King Street" at Bay Street). It's named after the former Hamilton mayor, Victor K. Copps. cite web| title = OHL Arena Guide: Copps Coliseum (1985)| url=http://www.ohlarenaguide.com/steelhawk.htm| accessdate = 2007-04-08] In 1987, the first of two reflective glass buildings of the CIBC tower (Commerce Place I) opened at "King" and "James" opposite "Gore Park". The other (Commerce Place II) opened in 1990. cite web| title = Skyscraperpage.com: Hamilton, Ontario| url=http://www.skyscraperpage.com/cities/?cityID=307| accessdate = 2007-04-08]

Culture

Hamilton has hosted several cultural and craft fairs since the 1960s, notably Festival of Friends [http://www.eventinfo.ca/view/westjet_festival_of_friends/] , which made it a major tourist destination. The Festival of Friends, founded in 1975, is the largest annual free music event in the country. Burton Cummings, Lighthouse and Bruce Cockburn have been among the main stage headliners at Gage Park on Gage Avenue. cite press release| title =The Hamilton Memory Project;| publisher =The Hamilton Spectator- Tourism Hamilton page MP54| date =2006-06-10| accessdate = 2007-04-08] WestJet is a major sponsor of the festival.cite web| title = WestJet sponsors Festival of Friends in Hamilton|url=http://www.eventinfo.ca/view/westjet_festival_of_friends/| accessdate = 2007-04-08] Hamilton is also home to the Mustard Festival [http://www.hamiltoninternationalvillage.ca/index.asp] because Hamilton is home to the largest miller of dry mustard in the world. It's held annually at "Ferguson Station", Ferguson Avenue and "King Street East" at "Hamilton's International Village" and is another summertime food & beverage festival that features some of the top Blues and Jazz acts in the region.cite web| title = Hamilton's Annual Mustard Festival| url=http://www.hamiltoninternationalvillage.ca/index.asp| accessdate = 2007-04-08]

In 2001, the Steven Seagal film Exit Wounds used the streets of Downtown Hamilton for a period of 6-weeks during a night shoot of the movie's climatic chase scene that features the Gore Park water fountain and the Hamilton GO Transit station, Original site of the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railway (1892-1987).

Waterfront Shuttle

The "Waterfront Shuttle" is a free service offered by the Hamilton Street Railway. It has a seasonal schedule that runs weekends from May-to-October connecting Hamilton's downtown core to the waterfront and attractions that can be found there like HMCS Haida and the Parks Canada Discovery Centre. The route circles Hamilton's downtown core around York Boulevard (north), Bay Street South (west), King Street West (south) and James Street North (east). Then it travels north along James Street and the Art District until it reaches the waterfront at "Guise Street" past the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and the Harbour West Marina Complex. Then the route hangs a left on "Discovery Drive", the site of the "Parks Canada Discovery Centre". Also at this site is the "Hamilton Harbour Queen" (cruise boat), "Hamiltonian" (tour boat) and the "Hamilton Waterfront Trolley". cite web| title =The Waterfront Shuttle (Trolley)- HSR| url=http://www.hamilton.ca/hsr| accessdate = 2007-06-05]

Landmarks

"Note: Listing of Landmarks from West to East."
*McMaster University
*McMaster Medical Centre
*McMaster Museum of Art
*Ronald V. Joyce Stadium, (McMaster University)
*David Braley Athletic Centre, (McMaster University)
*Westdale Library
*Coronation Park, (just north of "King Street" on "Paradise Road")
**Coronation Arena/Pool
*Highway 403 Overpass (bridge)
*Christ the King Cathedral
*Staircase Cafe Theatre, (north of "King Street" on Dundurn Street)
*Dundurn Plaza (shopping)
*Victoria Park, (old site of the Crystal Palace)
* [http://www.westsidelive.com/] Westside Concert Theatre, former CHCH TV 11 studios.
*Locke Street Shopping district (Antique shops, Art galleries, Cafes & fine dining Restaurants)
*"Grand Lodge of Canada" (The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada in the Province of Ontario)
*Scottish Rite Castle, Originally the home of George Elias Tuckett, (1835-1900), "Tuckett Tobacco Company" owner + Hamilton's 27th Mayor in 1896. (just South of "Main Street" on Queen Street South cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1981]
*Hess Village, (site of summertime Jazz Festival)
*King Street West Shopping District.
*Art Gallery of Hamilton, (Second largest permanent collection in Ontario, and third largest in Canada)
*Copps Coliseum, (one block north of "King Street" at Bay Street)
*Standard Life Building
*Sheraton Hamilton (hotel), just East of "Bay Street North" on "King Street West".
*Stelco Tower (part of the Lloyd D. Jackson Square Mall complex)
*Lloyd D. Jackson Square (mall)
*Ellen Fairclough Building/ Hamilton Convention Centre
*Commerce Place I & Commerce Place II (Twin tower complex)
*Gore Park including Queen Victoria statue [http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/libraryservices/localhistory/queen+victoria+statue.htm]
*Gore Park Water Fountain
*The Cenotaph, Gore Park (War Memorial Monument)
*Downtown Bingo Hall
*HSBC Building
*Sir John A. Macdonald statue (Gore Park) [http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/Localhistory/Sir+John+A.+Macdonald+Statue.htm Statue info. at myhamilton.ca]
*Connaught Block (Royal Connaught Hotel/ Holiday Inn)
*Crowne Plaza (hotel)
*Ferguson Station (historic site)- defunct Grand Trunk Railway train station, site of the summertime "Mustard Festival"
*International Village (shopping district)
*Wellington Park
*First Place Hamilton, Seniors apartment building
*Canadian Blood Services building
*Cathedral Secondary School
*Ivor Wynne Stadium, home of the CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats, (2-blocks north of "King Street", 2-blocks West of Gage Avenue)
*Scott Park Secondary School
*Scott Park Arena
*Gage Park
*Hamilton Children's Museum (inside "Gage Park")
*Gage Park Bandshell (concert stage)
*Gage Park fountain
*The Delta (where "King Street" and Main Street intersect)
*Ottawa Street Shopping District - "Textile District"
*Brock University, (Hamilton campus)
*Holy Cross Croatian Roman Catholic Church
*Bartonville Cemetery
*Red Hill Bowl (park)
*Red Hill Creek Valley
*Red Hill Valley Trail
*Red Hill Creek
*Red Hill Valley Parkway, flows underneath "King Street" overpass
*St. Joseph's Community Health Centre
*Stoney Creek Cemetery
*Stoney Creek Battlefield Park, where the Battle of Stoney Creek took place during the War of 1812.
**Stoney Creek Battlefield House
**Stoney Creek Battlefield Monument
*Stoney Creek Motel
*Hamilton Public Library (Stoney Creek branch)
*Stoney Creek Dairy Ice Cream (restaurant/ factory)
*St. Francis Xavier Junior Separate School
*Cenotoph Park

Communities

"Note: Listing of neighbourhoods from West to East." cite web| title = Hamilton Neighbourhood Boundaries, (map.hamilton.ca)| url=http://map.hamilton.ca/Static/PDFs/General%20Interest%20maps/Overall%20City/NeighbourhoodBoundaries.pdf| accessdate = 2007-05-11|format=PDF]
*Ainsley Wood
*Westdale
*Strathcona
*Central - The financial center of Hamilton, Ontario
*Beasley
*Landsdale
*Gibson
*Stipeley
*Crown Point
*The Delta
*Bartonville
*Glenview
*Corman/ Vincente "King Street" is the division between these 2 neighbourhoods.
*Greenford/ Gershome "King Street" is the division between these 2 neighbourhoods.
*Stoney Creek
*Cherry Heights

Roads that are parallel with King Street

"Lower City Roads:"
*Burlington Street, West/East
*Barton Street, West/East
*Cannon Street, West/East
*Wilson Street
*King William Street
*King Street, West/East
*Main Street, West/East; - Queenston Road
*Jackson Street, East
*Hunter Street, West/East
*Augusta Street
*Charlton Avenue, West/East
*Aberdeen Avenue"Niagara Escarpment (Mountain) Roads:"
*Concession Street
*Queensdale Avenue West/ East
*Scenic Drive - Fennell Avenue, West/East
*Sanatorium Road
*Mohawk Road, West/East
*Limeridge Road West/East
*Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway - Mud Street, (Hamilton City Road 11)
*Stone Church Road, West/East
*, West/East
*Twenty Road

Roads that cross King Street

"Note: Listing of streets from West to East."
*Longwood Road, South
*, (Freeway passes underneath the "King Street West" bridge)
*Dundurn Street, North, South
*Locke Street, North, South
*Queen Street, North, South
*Hess Street, North, South
*Bay Street, North, South
*MacNab Street, North, South
*James Street, North, South
*Hughson Street, North, South
*John Street, North, South
*Catharine Street, North, South
*Ferguson Avenue, North, South
*Wellington Street, North, South
*Victoria Avenue, North, South
*Wentworth Street, North, South
*Sherman Avenue, North, South
*Gage Avenue, North, South
*Ottawa Street, South
*Kenilworth Avenue, South
*Parkdale Avenue, South
*Red Hill Valley Parkway (Freeway passes underneath the "King Street East" bridge)
*Nash Road, South
*Centennial Parkway, South
*Lake Avenue Drive
*Gray Road
*Green Road

References

*MapArt Golden Horseshoe Atlas - Page 646/647/648 - Grids H8, H9, H10, G10, G11, G12, G13, G14, G15, G16, H16, H17, H18, H19, H20, J20, J21, J22, J23, H23, H24

External links

* [http://westdalevillage.ca/ Westdale Village]
* [http://www.awwca.ca/ Ainslie Wood/Westdale Community Association of Resident Homeowners]
* [http://www.mywestdale.com/ MyWestdale - Westdale schools alumni directory]
* [http://www.lockestreet.com/ Locke Street.com]
* [http://www.loso.ca Locke Street South Shopping District]
* [http://www.downtownhamilton.org Downtown Hamilton]
* [http://www.hamiltoninternationalvillage.ca/ International Village]
* [http://www.jamestreetnorth.ca/ James Street North Art District]
* [http://www.shopottawastreet.com Ottawa Street B.I.A.]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=King+St+E,+Hamilton,+Hamilton,+Ontario,+Canada&layer=&ie=UTF8&sll=43.255612,-79.858718&sspn=0.016378,0.039911&z=12&ll=43.243952,-79.819794&spn=0.131048,0.31929&t=h&om=1&iwloc=addr Google Maps: King Street (Hybrid)]