Photos of John Diefenbaker in Hamilton – one while he was Prime Minister of Canada, the other taken after he was succeeded in that office.
Prime Minister Diefenbaker leaving Westdale Secondary School after addressing a student assembly in the auditorium, December 9, 1961
The former prime minister, John Diefenbaker, visits Dundurn Castle. February 6, 1969 Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library
John Diefenbaker came to Hamilton several times. In this and the subsequent post, photographs of John Diefenbaker, before he became Prime Minister and once he became Prime Minister, are shown.
Delegates for the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada gathered in Hamilton from December 9-11, 1956 to prepare for the National Convention in Ottawa on December 14, 1956. John Diefenbaker, a candidate for the party leadership is the man second from the right. He was in Hamilton to meet local delegates. Seen with the candidate are, left to right, Frank Lennard, MLA, Wentworth County; the Hon. W.K. Warrender, Minister of Municipal Affairs; William Wellington, PC candidate for Welland West; and Mrs. Ellen Fairclough, MP for Hamilton West.
Election night June 10, 1957. While John Diefenbaker was not in Hamilton that night, he was surely on the minds of those pictured above as he had won the Progressive Conservation leadership and had led that party in the campaign of 1957. Those gathered outside the Spectator office on King street east would soon learn via news items placed on the paper’s outside bulletin board that Diefenbaker had been elected Prime Minster.
Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library
A collection of aerial images of Hamilton’s Industrial zone. These photos were given to the Hamilton Public Library with out specific dates, nor specific identification of which industries are shown.
Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library.
It was an ongoing effort using every means possible. Young men in particular living in Hamilton who had not yet joined the armed forces were targeted and urged to done a uniform. Following are just two images of that effort.
A booth set up in Gore Park by the Hamilton Recruiting League urging men to “Enlist Here”
Hamilton artists were ‘enlisted’ to help in the recruiting efforts and many, many high quality posters such as the one above were produced and placed in prominent locations.
Images courtesy PreView, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library.
Three photographs from Hamilton’s 1946 Centennial. A major parade with numerous bands, elaborate floats, and a bit of fun as well.
Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library
May 7, 1945, VE Day, was a time for huge crowds to gather in downtown Hamilton. This is the second part of a collection of Spectator photographs taken to capture the celebration of the Allied victory in Europe.
Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library
There were many photographs taken in Hamilton when the day that the news of victory in Europe arrived. Three pictures taken by Spectator photographers appear in this post, and three more will appear in the next.
A celebratory handshake at King and John streets.
Also taken at King and John streets.
Unfurling a Union Jack in Gore Park.
Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library.
Below are three photographs taken by a member of the Superior Engravers Company in 1936. That firm had been hired to prepare images for advertising purposes.
Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library.
Built about 1869, this lovely limestone walled dwelling was located upon an embankment on the east side of Queen Street South. It faced west along Herkimer street.
Originally known as Athol Bank, it was at first the home of two brothers,Charles and William Murray. William Murray was Hamilton’s unofficial poet laureate of the latter part of the 19th century.
The house was known as the Reynolds Cottage when it was demolished in 1959 to make way for an apartment building on the site.
Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library
The full engraving from the Canadian Illustrated News showing a rowing competition, June 1873.
The competitors.
Top an anchored passenger steamer, The Transit, filled with passengers to watch the race.
A gentleman rents a row and takes two lady friends out on the bay to watch the race.
Men on a dock plus others on sailboats and a man at rest between competitions.
