York Boulevard (Hamilton, Ontario)

York Boulevard is a Lower City arterial road in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Formerly known as Highway 2 and Highway 6,starts off in Burlington, Ontario at "Plains Road West" as a two-way arterial road that wraps around and over the Hamilton Harbour and enters the city of Hamilton in the West-end past Dundurn Park. York Boulevard switches over to a one-way street from Queen Street eastward and ends at James Street North. (Note: This road continues East of "James Street North" as Wilson Street.)

History

"York Boulevard", was part of the military road that connected the chain stations lying between Kingston and the Niagara River, this road was the main route to "York" (Toronto). As a result, it became known as "York Street". In 1976, the road was closed for construction, over the protests of residents and businessmen, widened and renamed "York Boulevard" November 29, 1976 at a final cost of $5.5-million. cite book|title=Hamilton Street Names: An Illustrated Guide|first=Margaret |last=Houghton|publisher=James Lorimer & Co. Ltd.|year=2002|id= ISBN 1-55028-773-7] cite book|title=Vanished Hamilton Calender|first=Margaret |last=Houghton |publisher=North Shore Publishing|year=2006|id= ISBN 1-896899-39-0]

In 1857, 57 passengers were killed when a train derailed near the Desjardins Canal. cite web| title = Desjardins Canal Disaster| url=https://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/Localhistory/Desjardins+Canal+Disaster.htm| accessdate = 2007-04-16]

The Old city hall, with its 38-metre clock tower, was demolished in 1961 (corner of "York" and James Street) to allow expansion of Eaton's department store. The clock and bell went into the tower of the 1990 Eaton Centre. 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 = 2007-04-16] Hamilton's Central Library was opened in 1980 by Prince Philip. 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 in 1985. It is 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 = 2007-04-16]

Parks

In 1790, Richard Beasley occupied "Burlington Heights" (now the site of Dundurn Park and Harvey Park) and was granted land by the Crown in 1799. A local entrepreneur, Beasley's business ventures included fur trading, land acquisition and establishment of a grist mill in Ancaster. He was a member of the legislative assembly of Upper Canada from 1791 to 1804 and was appointed colonel of the 2nd regiment of the York militia in 1809. Financial difficulties forced Beasley to sell lands at Burlington Heights, but it was purchased in 1832 by Sir Allan Napier MacNab who built Dundurn Castle on foundations of Bealsey's brick home. cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1981] Richard Beasley was a United Empire Loyalist who preferred to stay British and came to Canada following the American Revolution of 1776.

Sir Allan Napier MacNab, (1798-1862), was a businessman, land speculator and soldier, Allan MacNab employed a very public life. He was a succcessful lawyer and was appointed Upper Canada's first Queen's Councel. In 1838 was knighted for his role in suppressing the rebellion of Upper Canada. The profits from his extensive land speculation were fed into a varirty 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 spannning three decades, he was three times Speaker and, from 1854 to 1856 Prime Minister of Canada.

Dundurn Castle was built between 1832-1835 for Sir Allan Napier MacNab. Named after his family ancestral seat in Scotland. Incorporating an existing farmhouse, it was designed by local architect, Robert Wetherell, as a statement of its owner's place in society. The house features classical and Italian 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 of Canada. After years in private hands, the property was purchased by the city and from 1964 to 1967 was restored to its former splendour."Harvey Park" was named after Colonel John Harvey, a British Officer during the War of 1812. The name was accepted by Hamilton City Council 11 June, 1894. From Harvey Park Lieutenant-Colonel John Harvey set out to 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 in 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 List of Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, (1834-1841), Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland, (1841-1846), and Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, (1846-18851).cite book|title=Hamilton our Lives and Times|first=Brian |last=Henley |publisher=The Hamilton Spectator|year=1993|id= ISBN 0-9697255-0-7]

A walk through Cootes Paradise is a haven for naturalists. Close to the downtown, this sanctuary provides an undisturbed refuge for birds, fish and animals of all types and can be reached from "York Boulevard" by following the "Harvey Park Trail" west and taking the stairs down at the "Thomas B. McQuesten High Level Bridge."cite web|publisher=(www.hamiltonnature.org/)| title =Hamilton Naturalist's Club: Protecting Nature since 1919| url=http://www.hamiltonnature.org/| accessdate = 2008-07-22]

Festivals & events

Around the Bay Road Race, is the oldest long distance road races in North America, held in Hamilton, Ontario since 1894, 3-years before the Boston Marathon. This 30-kilometre race is also known as the " Billy Sherring Memorial Road Race." cite web| title =Around the bay Road Race, (Official Site)| url=http://www.aroundthebayroadrace.com/| accessdate = 2007-06-29] All races start on "York Boulevard", one block west of the Copps Coliseum. All races finish inside Copps Coliseum. On Sunday, March 30, 2008, a record 8,500 participants crossed the finish line.cite news | title = Around the Bay Road Race- Since 1894.| pages = AB1| publisher = The Hamilton Spectator| date = 2007-03-22| accessdate = 2008-03-22]

The City's Parks Board drew up plans in 1927 for the construction of a full-scale botanical gardens. By 1930 work had started on the project which converted an ugly stone quarry into a horticultural showcase, known as the Royal Botanical Gardens. A decade later a bill was introduced in the Provincial Legislature calling for an even more ambitious project which when completed would become the "Mecca of flower lovers from all parts of North America" its supporters claimed. The sponsor of the legislation was the Minister of Highways in the Provincial Government, and native Hamiltonian, T.B. McQuesten.cite book| last = Johnston| first = C.M.| title = The Head of the Lake| publisher = Robert Duncan & Company, Limited| date = 1958]

The Royal Botanical Gardens, was established as an independent entity in 1941 by an act of the provincial government, but the project traces its origins to the late 1920s when the City of Hamilton began acquiring land for the beautification of the city’s northwest entrance. cite web| title = Royal Botanical Gardens Official web site| url=http://www.rbg.ca/| accessdate = 2007-04-16] Breathtaking gardens and spectacular nature sanctuaries plus three on-site restaurants and gift shop, over 30 kilometres of nature trails, and more can be found here. The Royal Botanical Gardens also plays host to a number of festivals throughout the year. Details and dates of each of them can be accessed at their official web site, [http://www.rbg.ca// Royal Botanical Gardens] . Some of these include the "Tulip Celebration", "Lilac Celebration", "Iris Festival", "Rose Celebration" and "Music @ the Gardens". In addition to the festivals, hundreds of educational programs are offered for all ages plus day camp for kids.

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."
*Royal Botanical Gardens
**RBG Centre
**The Laking Garden
**Rock Gardens
**Arboretum Nature Centre
*Memorial Gardens
*Thomas B. McQuesten High Level Bridge
**Desjardins Canal (below bridge)
**Cootes Paradise (below bridge)
**Canadian National Railway lines (below bridge)
**Highway 403, Chedoke Expressway (runs parallel with York Boulevard below bridge)
*Hamilton Cemetery (West of "York Blvd.")
**Harvey Park (East of "York Blvd.", across street from Hamilton Cemetery)
*Hamilton Harbour Waterfront Trail
*Dundurn Park
**Dundurn Castle
**Hamilton Military Museum
*The Admiral Inn (motel)
*Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington building
*Strathcona Gardens Apartments (18-storey, off Strathcona Avenue North)
*Altima Dental Centre
*Queen's Terrace/ Oxford Heights (apartments)
*Hess Street Elementary School
*Ohav Zedeck Synangogue (Hess Street Synangogue), just South of "York Blvd."
*CHAM Centre (home of Talk 820 radio station)
*Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School
*Staybridges Suites by Holiday Inn, just South of "York Blvd."
*Federal Building, just South of "York Blvd."
*Copps Coliseum
*Salvation Army Building
*Philpott Memorial Church
*Lloyd D. Jackson Square (mall)
*Hamilton Public Library
*Hamilton Farmer's Market (since 1837)
*Hamilton City Centre (formerly the Eaton's Centre)
*James Street North Art District

Communities

"Note: Listing of neighbourhoods from West to East."
*Bridgeview Survey (Burlington, Ontario)
*Strathcona
*Central - The financial center of Hamilton, Ontario

Roads that are parallel with York Boulevard

No street runs parallel with "York Boulevard". George Hamilton, a settler and local politician, established a town site in the northern portion Barton Township after the war in 1815. He kept several east-west roads which were originally Indian trails, but the north-south streets were on a regular grid pattern. Streets were designated "East" or "West" if they crossed James Street or Highway 6. Streets were designated "North" or "South" if they crossed King Street or Highway 8. "York Street" originally was one of those Indian Trails and it cuts through the "Strathcona" and "Central" neighbourhoods diagonly and does not conform to that grid pattern set out by "George Hamilton". cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1981] cite web| last = Weaver| first = John C.| title = Dictionary of Canadian Biography: George Hamilton| url=http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=3424| accessdate = 2007-04-16]

Roads that cross York Boulevard

"Note: Listing of streets from West to East."
*Plains Road, West (Burlington, Ontario)
*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

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References

*MapArt Golden Horseshoe Atlas - Page 468 - Grids R1, Q1, Q2/ Page 474 - Grids R1/ Page 647 - D9, E9, F9, F10, G10, G11, G12

External links

* [http://www.rbg.ca/ Royal Botanical Gardens official website]
* [http://www.bgci.org/ Botanic Gardens Conservation International]
* [http://www.lockestreet.com/ Locke Street.com]
* [http://www.downtownhamilton.org Downtown Hamilton]
* [http://www.jamestreetnorth.ca/ James Street North Art District]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=York+Boulevard,+Hamilton,+Hamilton,+Ontario,+Canada&sll=43.265441,-79.882386&sspn=0.008188,0.019956&ie=UTF8&z=13&ll=43.276205,-79.887257&spn=0.065489,0.159645&t=h&om=1&iwloc=addr Google Maps: York Boulevard (Hybrid)]