Canada’s Mayors Come to Hamilton – 1956

From August 20 to August 26, 1956, the 19th Annual Conference of the Canadian Federation of Mayors and Municipalities was held in Hamilton. Following are a few images captured at that conference along with the captions which accompanied them when published in the Hamilton Spectator.

Mayor Lloyd D. Jackson, on the left, welcomes fellow attendees.  

Mrs. Lloyd D. Jackson, wife of the Mayor of Hamilton; Mrs. Roy Bonham, wife of the Warden of Wentworth County; and Controller Ada Pritchard of Hamilton (left to right), extended a special greeting to the ladies who accompanied delegates attending the conference. They are shown here chatting with Mrs. J. Donald Whalen (far right), wife of the Mayor of Newcastle, N.B.  

This is Hamilton’s first lady, Mrs. Lloyd D. Jackson. 

Hamilton’s city clerk, James F. Berry, on the left, shows Gaston Hardy, mayor of Hamilton’s twin city, Shawinigan Falls, a model of the new court house.

The Hamilton Spectator hosted a luncheon at the Royal Connaught Hotel in honour of the hundreds of visiting delegates.

Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History, Hamilton Public Library

The Gore Bank – King and Hughson Streets

Even the late 1840s when the directors of the Gore Bank were looking for a prestigious, central location for the head office in Hamilton, the southwest corner of King and Hughson streets was considered ideal.

Above and below, the Gore Bank as it originally appeared when built about 1848.

Above, note that open area known as the Gore had been transformed into Gore Park. The image is undated but presumably it is from the early 1860s given the height of the then newly-planted trees.

Below, the original Gore Bank in an undated pictured – a good guess that the photo was taken not long before the structure would be transformed.

Above and below show how the original two storey structure was enlarged with the addition of a third story. By the time of both images, the Gore Bank had amalgamated with the Canadian Bank of Commerce in 1870. In 1929, a further amalgamation brought the Imperial Bank into the bank. The building at King and Hughson was then considered expendable and was demolished.

Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library

Tiger Squadron, RCAF Bomber Group – Part 2

Part two of a look at the Tiger Squadron. It was a part of the Royal Canadian Air Force Bomber Group, and had been ‘adopted’ by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. Photos taken in England follow accompanied by the original captions which accompanied them when used in the Hamilton Spectator.

“Aircrew and ground crew of the Tiger Squadron with one of the Halifax bombers which the squadron flies on operations. In the centre of the front row is Wing Cmdr. George Roy, D.F.C., of Westmount, Que., the commanding officer. The squadron has been adopted by the Chamber of Commerce of the city of Hamilton. R.C.A.F. photos Nos. PL 32448 and PL32446″ The Hamilton Spectator, October 17, 1944. 

This “four-motored Rooster” belongs to the Tiger Squadron of the RCAF Bomber Group overseas – as do the fighting fliers with it. Artist is Sgt. Wally Davidson, RAF.” The Hamilton Spectator, May 9, 1944. 

The City of Hamilton, “Tiger” squadron, based at Skipton, Yorks., was recently presented with its official crest by Air Commodore J.L. Hurley, Air Officer Commanding No.6 RCAF Bomber Group, of OTTAWA, Ont. Wing Commander R.W. Norris, Tiger squadrons commanding officer of SASKATOON, Sask., and TORONTO, Ont., (1500 King St., West) is shown receiving the crest from A/C Hurley, (RCAF PHOTO)” The Hamilton Spectator, September 25, 1944.  

Veteran Halifax bomber of the Tiger squadron of the R.C.A.F. Bomber Group “O” for “Oscar” is shown here taxiing up for take-off. During its career with the Tigers it has completed over 60 sorties on enemy targets.” The Hamilton Spectator, January 30, 1945 

Just before an RCAF Bomber Group operation, 25,000 cigarettes, candy and a football were distributed to the boys of the Tiger Squadron from the citizens of HAMILTON, Ont. who have adopted the unit. Here some of the Tigers get welcome gifts from the station adjutant, Flight Lieutenant R.M. Howard, of DUNDAS, Ont. (53 Victoria St) shown at right holding several cigarette packages. (RCAF PHOTO)” The Hamilton Spectator. January 30, 1945 

“TIGER SQUADRON RECEIVES PARCELS – Two Hamilton boys get their share of the 25,000 cigarettes and candy sent to the R.C.A.F. Bomber Groups Tiger Squadron by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, which has adopted the unit. At the left, Flying Officer J.A. Bieber, mid-upper gunner, from 481 King William street, gets a package from the station adjutant, Flight-Lieut. R.M. Howard, of Dundas, Ont., while Pilot Officer F.E. Pitcher, right, also a mid-upper gunner, from 180 McAnulty boulevard, has just got his share. – R.C.A.F. Photo. P140242.” The Hamilton Spectator, January 16, 1945 

Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library

Tiger Squadron, RCAF Bomber Group – Part 1

Hamilton’s support of the war effort during ww2 took many forms. One of the most interesting was when the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce ‘adopted’ a bomber squadron, part of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Bomber Group. In recognition of the ‘adoption’ the squadron was named the Tiger Squadron.

On May 9, 1944, the Hamilton Spectator carried several photographs taken in England depicting aspects of the Tiger Squadron’s operations.

Several of he photos with the original captions as published in the Spectator are posted below.

” A little imagination and “L for Leather”, formal name of the aircraft, becomes familiarized into a cartoon and a nickname. The four-motored plane and the art lovers belong to the Tiger Squadron of the RCAF Bomber Group overseas. Left is Flight Sgt. J.A. Campbell, RFM(?) of Westlock, Alta. and LAC Murray “Huck” Taylor, Borden, Sask. (RCAF PHOTO)”  

“Emergency rations carried during their trip to Berlin are turned in by Flying Officer Jack “Tubby” Calvin, 83 St. Clarens Street, W., Toronto, centre, to his flight commander, Squadron Leader Jack Westland, right, while another flight commander, Squadron Leader H.W. Metzler of 126 W Amelia Street, Fort William, looks on. All are members of the R.C.A.F. Bomber Groups “Tiger” Squadron which is in the thick of the sustained bombing offensive against Hitler’s stronghold. (R.C.A.F. PHOTO)

“Airmen of three provinces, all members of the same squadron, enjoy a cup of hot coffee together after their return from a heavy attack on Berlin. They are members of the R.C.A.F. Bomber Groups “Tiger” squadron and are waiting to tell intelligence officers what they saw over the German capital. Left to right, are, Flight Sgt. Romeo Trudeau, rear gunner, 2049 Wurtelle Street, Montreal; Flight Sgt. Bob brown [sic] wireless operator, 564 13th Street W., Owen Sound, Ont.; and Flying Officer Douglas Crosby, pilot, from Chatham, N.B.(R.C.A.F. PHOTO).” 

Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library.

The Orginial Honest Lawyer Hotel in Hamilton

Below is a 1949 photograph of the long-time hotel fixture at the corner of Rebecca and Mary streets, accompanied by the history of it prepared by staff of the Local History and Archives department, Hamilton Public Library.

 

“Honest Lawyer” House. Photographed April 1949. At the corner of Rebecca and Mary Streets. The Honest Lawyer was named after an elderly barrister of Scottish descent, a Mr. McKay, who had a reputation for integrity. United Empire Loyalist Henry Upton fled his home in Philadelphia during the American Revolution and came to Hamilton to open this hotel. He had left all his money with Mr. McKay, who, some years later, rode into Hamilton with his saddle bags loaded with gold from the Upton estate. In gratitude, Upton named his inn the Honest Lawyer. In 1951, provincial liquor license officials ruled the name unfit for a tavern. It was renamed the Colonial House, but patrons still called it the Honest Lawyer decades later. It disappeared from the Hamilton city directory in 1994-95.

Photo, and caption, courtesy Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library.

Bank Robbery, November 1960 – James and Barton Streets

It was a dramatic incident – an armed robbery, a foot chase and capture and a career which came to light because of the whole affair.

Below is a photo from the Hamilton Spectator followed by the original caption which accompanied the photograph.

At noon on November 3rd, 1960, a masked man armed with a sawed off shotgun entered the Bank of Montreal, James and Barton Streets, lined the customers up along the wall and relieved the Accountant of $5,211.00 in bills. The Accountant and Mr. Lionel Sparling, an ex-Hamilton Police Cadet, followed the bandit from the bank and harassed him in a short chase through backyards in the area until his arrest by responding police. All money was recovered. Bruce Reginald Reese, aged 24, of Windsor, appeared in court and was sentenced to 12 years in jail. Mr. Floyd Charlton, the Accountant and Mr. Sparling received commendation awards from the Honourable Board of Police Commissioners. Mr. Sparling was subsequently appointed to the force.

Ontario Provincial Police and the Stelco Strike of 1946 – Part 2

Many Ontario Provincial Police officers came into Hamilton to assist with maintaining the peace around the picket lines set up for the 1946 Stelco strike. The numbers of picketers, and the highly charged atmosphere at the pickets lines, prompted the Hamilton police to seek assistance after the strike entered its sixth week.

While many OPP were brought in from nearby detachments as needed, others were brought in from far distant places and were in need of accommodation, especially as it was unclear how long they would be required. The barracks of the HMCS Star were chosen for that pupose.

The following images were taken in and around the HMCS Star facility on August 26, 1946.Original captions from the Spectator accompany each photo.

“More arrive ready to stay awhile.”

“If they were in the Army, they know how to make a bed.”

“Two others try bed fixing.”

“Bedding is issued to Cpl. G.V. Clubb.”

Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library.