[flar]

The Hamilton Series Grand Finale

Hamilton, Ontario is probably the most maligned, misunderstood, and underappreciated city in Canada. Long overshadowed by Toronto,
Hamilton is known mainly for its vast concentration of heavy industry. Its various nicknames reflect that: "The Ambitious City", "Steelcity",
"The Hammer" and less flatteringly, "The Armpit of Canada". Hamilton's greatest asset is undoubtedly its natural setting at the tip of Lake
Ontario with the Niagara Escarpment dividing the city into upper and lower sections. But fewer know about Hamilton's incredible architectural
heritage and great urban neighbourhoods. Even fewer know that medicine, education, and research have long surpassed heavy industry as
Hamilton has made the transition to a post-industrial economy. I hope this series has shown that Hamilton is much more than the industrial
wasteland of urban decay that many imagine. The twenty photo tours of this series show some of the most interesting streets and
neighbourhoods in Hamilton--I could easily have done twenty more--but, anyways, thank you for the great response to the series.


1http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/mountain/00003.jpg

King Street
2http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100118.jpg

3http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100079.jpg

4http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00081.jpg

5http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00114.jpg

6http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100026.jpg

7http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00115.jpg

Hughson Street
8http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/downtown%20hamilton/76.jpg

James and York
9http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00047.jpg

10http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100027.jpg

King Street East
11http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/downtown%20hamilton/23.jpg

12http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00005.jpg

13http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100037.jpg

14http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00014.jpg

City Hall
15http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00012.jpg

James and Main
16http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/downtown%20hamilton/3.jpg

17http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00015.jpg

18http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00049.jpg

Main Street
19http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/downtown%20hamilton/12.jpg

20http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00046.jpg

King William Street
21http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00037.jpg

22http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00020.jpg

King and James
23http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00056.jpg

Gore Park

24http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/downtown%20hamilton/73.jpg

25http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00063.jpg

26http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00065.jpg

27http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00118.jpg

Piggott Building
28http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00066.jpg

James Street South
29http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00103.jpg

30http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00095.jpg

31http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00094.jpg

32http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00084.jpg

33http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00113.jpg

34http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/200088.jpg

Lister Block
35http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/200003.jpg

Chateau Royale
36http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100083.jpg

BDC Building
37http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100046.jpg

38http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00008.jpg

King Street looking west
39http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00057.jpg

40http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/downtown%20hamilton/52.jpg

Main Street looking west
41http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00001.jpg

The Harbour
42http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/1.jpg

Hamilton Beach & The Bayfront

43http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/200012.jpg

44http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00045.jpg

45http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/bayfront/00076.jpg

46http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00024.jpg

The historic town of Dundas (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=131127), a suburb on the westside

47http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/dundas/17.jpg

48http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/dundas/7.jpg

Heading down the mountain into Dundas
49http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100014.jpg

Concession Street (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=140408), the only Hamilton Mountain neighbourhood that I profiled.

50http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/concession/00111.jpg

51http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/concession/00053.jpg

The phototour of the Inner City (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=134211) was the most popular.

52http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/200005.jpg

53http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100033.jpg

54http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100024.jpg

55http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/barton/00119.jpg

56http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100030.jpg

57http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100012.jpg

58http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00088.jpg

59http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00083.jpg

60http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00051.jpg

61http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00013.jpg

62http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/innercity/33.jpg

Looking out over Stoney Creek (http://urbantoronto.ca/showthread.php?t=6620), Hamilton's eastern suburb

63http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/stoneycreek/00100.jpg

Locke Street (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=135162), the antiques district in the western part of the lower city

64http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/locke/00009.jpg

Jamesville, (http://urbantoronto.ca/showthread.php?t=6031) a vibrant multi-ethnic neighbourhood along James Street North

65http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/jamesville/00015.jpg

66http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/jamesville/00081.jpg

The Delta (http://urbantoronto.ca/showthread.php?t=6168), where Main and King cross

67http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/300005.jpg

68http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/300051.jpg

Westdale (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=135327), home to many specialty shops, cafes, beautiful homes, and a massive highschool

69http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00079.jpg

70http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/300011.jpg

The Textile District (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=135905) on Ottawa Street

71http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/ottawa/00047.jpg

The infamous Barton Street (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=119700)

72http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/barton/00056.jpg

Some Victorian homes in the Stinson (http://urbantoronto.ca/showthread.php?t=6536) neigbourhood

73http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/300065.jpg

A side street in Corktown (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=138983)

74http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00097.jpg

McMaster University, a major research university

75http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00002.jpg

76http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/mac/00061.jpg

Can't forget Hamilton's Industry (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=115786)

77http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/industrial/31.jpg

78http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/industrial/10.jpg

Hess Village (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=138574)

79http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/hess/00061.jpg

80http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/hess/00029.jpg

Durand (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=2391178), one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Hamilton

81http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/durand/100078.jpg

82http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/durand/00103.jpg

83http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/durand/00006.jpg

Ancaster (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=140652), a wealthy western suburb

84http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/ancaster/00018.jpg

85http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/ancaster/00015.jpg

Dundurn Castle

86http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00003.jpg

Custom House

87http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00030.jpg

The James N. Allan Skyway Bridge

88http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00086.jpg

Lift Bridge
89http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00070.jpg

Cathedral of Christ the King

90http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100001.jpg

Ivor Wynne Stadium, home of the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats

91http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100005.jpg

92http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100003.jpg

93http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/300067.jpg

94http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/mountain/9.jpg

This arte moderne building was built in 1933 by the Toronto, Hamilton, and Buffalo Railway, which operated from 1894 to 1987.
In 1996, it was refurbished and now serves as the Hamilton GO Centre, connecting Hamilton to the Greater Toronto Area by
bus and train.

95http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00104.jpg

96http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100088.jpg

97http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100008.jpg

98http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00010.jpg

99http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/200001.jpg

One last look from the mountain
SCROLL->>>>>
100http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/mountain/nightpano.jpg

http://aas.ath.cx/finale.jpg
A map showing the locations of each of the phototours:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/map.jpghttp://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/legend.jpg

[Sacto]

Very cool. Thanks for the tour!

[WZ1]

nice shots.. love the one with the go train.

[raisethehammer]

amazing work flar.
this series needs to be published somehow.

[matt602]

It has been a good tour. You put our unheard of city on the map, at least on this site.

[Ex-Ithacan]

Heck of a recap flar. I enjoyed the series and say bravo for the effort in the series, and the pride you have in Hamilton. Thanks.

[LSyd]

awesome tour. thank you. i had no idea what Hamilton looked like until you started posting photos...it looks like a nice, interesting place, with a lot of grit and character.

Even fewer know that medicine, education, and research have long surpassed heavy industry as
Hamilton has made the transition to a post-industrial economy. I hope this series has shown that Hamilton is much more than the industrial
wasteland of urban decay that many imagine.


several shots and the description of the city reminds me of my old home, Birmingham, aka the "Pittsburgh of the South" for its old steel industry. it's also referred to as "The armpit of the south" by surrounding cities, which like Hamilton, isn't really true. Birmingham doesn't have a waterfront though, but it does have mountains and the 2nd tallest statue in the U.S. after the statue of Liberty. Hamilton looks a lot bigger than its population, did it decline?

-

[DC83]

AWESOME work, Flar!!
This whole series has been amazing!

I Agree with RTH, this needs to be published!

[mclancer]

I agree with "raisethehammer"

Fill in some of the other areas,
then this could be published or at least a collection at the library.

Any how this series has made a great collection
of the city and area I was born and raised.

Thank you for all the work that went in to this.

[Waterlooson]

Fantastic tour.

[marcus]

:tup:

[marcus]

Hamilton is known mainly for its vast concentration of heavy industry. Its various nicknames reflect that: "The Ambitious City", "Steelcity",


I thought pittsburgh was steelcity. anyway, amazing pictures. good job:tup:

[OhioGuy]

Impressive thread! Thanks for the great photos. :)

[flar]

Hamilton looks a lot bigger than its population, did it decline?
-

Hamilton's population has never declined, it continues to grow steadily. It might look bigger than its population because the lower part of the city is squeezed between the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario resulting in some good density. Also, Hamilton is very old (by Canadian standards) and was once the "Ambitious City" so it grew large very quickly pre-WWII. The old parts of town are reminiscent of some larger rust-belt cities in the US.

[rousseau]

This has been a great series. Hamilton has real character, something comparatively rare in Canada.

[circle33]

I've thoroughly enjoyed the Hamilton series -- a city I lived in the shadow of most of my life but rarely visited. Thanks for the efforts.

But how come no mention of its most famous resident?

http://www.cbc.ca/lifeandtimes/images/smith5.jpg

[boden]

If I didn't love Belleville so much I'd consider moving. Your tours were not only enjoyable but educational as well. Thanks for all of them flar.

[shappy]

awesome series, flar, I enjoyed it very much. You've done a great job showing us what the city is really like... this is not an easy task. And if I may say so, your photography has improved over the course of your series. Whatever you do, don't stop with the photo threads.

[Wheelingman04]

Wonderful tour!!

[softee]

I've enjoyed all of your Hamilton photo-tours!

[KevinFromTexas]

Awesome. That first night skyline shot is awesome. I actually missed the rest of the tour, I haven't been cruising the forum lately due to being so busy. BUT, I bookmarked your profile and I'll check out the rest of the tour. Top notch stuff, thanks for sharing.

[flar]

Thanks everyone, glad that so many enjoyed the series.

awesome series, flar, I enjoyed it very much. You've done a great job showing us what the city is really like... this is not an easy task. And if I may say so, your photography has improved over the course of your series. Whatever you do, don't stop with the photo threads.

Thanks! At the beginning of the series, I just ran around snapping pictures, but lately I've been more interested in photography and taking better pictures. There'll be more photo threads, just not as many in the winter, and from different towns and cities, including Toronto.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the Hamilton series -- a city I lived in the shadow of most of my life but rarely visited. Thanks for the efforts.

But how come no mention of its most famous resident?

http://www.cbc.ca/lifeandtimes/images/smith5.jpg

Red Green made it into a couple of threads! (Westdale and Durand, I think)

[the dude]

totally sweet. the map was a great idea. it's nearly impossible to conceptualize a city if you don't live in it. hell, most hamiltonians don't even know where these neighbourhoods are. peace out.

[Boomtown_Hamilton]

I thought pittsburgh was steelcity. anyway, amazing pictures. good job:tup:

Yes, Pittsburgh is "steelcity" and Hamilton is "steeltown."

[Boomtown_Hamilton]

Hey flar, I am a HUGE fan of your work. I have a real eye for talent and you got it!

I agree with the rest of the gang from Hamlton regarding getting your work published in a book in some way and I have an idea.

I work in the film industry and Hamilton continues to get more films shot around town from Canadian and American film companies. Get a book together with all of your Hamilton photos; the good, the bad and the ugly and this book can then be used to showcase our City to the big Hollywood producers and directors. Alot of the big names know Toronto and are only NOW beginning to know Hamilton. If you get a book together to showcase our City and when you open the book you have a color-coded map just like the one you've used in this series for quick reference...you also color-code the side of the pages the same colors used on your Hamilton map this way people can get to that part of the book faster that they want to get to.

The other thing to include in your book is you have the Mayor introducing the Producers, directors,, film makers, actors to Hamilton by telling them that we are less then one hour away from Toronto and Niagara falls and furthermore when they film in Hamilton they get more tax breaks/ incentives than they do if they were to film up the road in Toronto. For example:

If you are American Film Production company filming in Toronto you get 33% tax break HOWEVER if you film in Hamilton you get 6% more tax break at 39%....If you are a Canadian Film Production company filming in Toronto you also get 33% tax break but in Hamilton it's 10% more at 43% tax break...so that's the first MAJOR advantage Hamilton has over Toronto because Hamilton lies just outside the ACTRA (Actor's Union) zone of Metro Toronto. (This section of the book I can help you with if you want).........

Secondly, at the back of the book you can have a list of hotels, motels, restaurants that these people can stay at when they are filming in town...one way to generate revenue would be if you tell these hotels/ restaurants that if they want to be featured in this book they pay you (fill in the blank $$$$) to get listed in this book....this also goes for Food catering companies that do MAJOR business with these film companies....

The cover of the book could be titled;
HOLLYWOOD NORTH
"Our City, Your Movie Studio"
Hamilton, Ontario

Anyways, that's just my 2-cents worth (Canadian)

Awsome job as always with the Hamilton photos, The Future belongs to Hamilton.

[Hozay]

Great photos, thanks for the series!

[realcity]

awesome awesome thanks so much Flar

[flar]

Thank you all!

[HomeInMyShoes]

Thanks for the pics and the many hours on your feet flar.

[SteelTown]

You did an amazing job flar! Well done.

:thankyouthankyou: :thankyouthankyou: :thankyouthankyou:

[raisethehammer]

hey steeltown...what is that logo you have as your screen name?
it's sweet...I've never seen it anywhere else.

[DANTHEDISCOMAN]

Does anyone from Hamiliton know if that big farmers market is still downtown. It was indoors in a warehouse type building. My grandpa lived in Brantford and we would always go to that market whenever we visited him...my sister and I would always get these delightful little pretzel bread treats...mmm, tasty indeed! :slob:

I also used to enjoy driving into Hamiliton and going down that winding hill, It was always exciting to see the skyline from up there.

Nice Pics:cool:

[DC83]

Does anyone from Hamiliton know if that big farmers market is still downtown. It was indoors in a warehouse type building. My grandpa lived in Brantford and we would always go to that market whenever we visited him...my sister and I would always get these delightful little pretzel bread treats...mmm, tasty indeed! :slob:

I also used to enjoy driving into Hamiliton and going down that winding hill, It was always exciting to see the skyline from up there.

Nice Pics:cool:

Yep. Still here (THANK GOD). on York Blvd, right before James.
Still a great place to go - freshest product, good deals.

That winding hill is the Jolley Cut, best view of the city!

[flar]

Inside the Farmer's Market:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/oddstuff/00052.jpg

[c@taract_soulj@h]

.Home.

=)

[Austinlee]

Yeah. Hell yeah. Nothing wrong with Hamilton.

[Kilgore Trout]

great work. you've done a fine job of documenting the life of the city. the fact that hamilton is so overlooked makes this even more interesting.

[harls]

That first pic looks crazy dense. Excellent thread.

[steel]

ick

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/ancaster/00018.jpg

Other than that great thread

[flar]

Ohh McMansions, I took almost the same picture this year when I went to Ancaster (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=140652):
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/ancaster2/00011.jpg

Wow, this is a very old thread...

[Cambridgite]

This picture.....

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/mountain/nightpano.jpg

is just downright sexy! :tup:

[peanut gallery]

I have to echo all the other comments about what a fantastic series this has been. The subject matter, the comprehensive nature of each set, the variety of cityscapes, and the quality of the photography itself are all just amazing. I agree with a previous comment that this should be published somewhere (other than here, of course). I can see it perhaps as a coffee table book.

[Evergrey]

Great pics of the Pittsburgh of the North

Flar: You are the king of kings. Bravo.

[rousseau]

Great pics of the Pittsburgh of the North.
It's not the "Pittsburgh of the North." It's Hamilton.

[flar]

Thanks everyone,

Most of the original Hamilton Series is long gone from the board, but since I live here and I like to take pictures, they keep on coming. Even though winter is ahead I'm sure there'll be more. According to wikipedia, Hamilton has over 200 neighbourhoods, so I figure at least 50 are interesting (this may be good news or bad news). So thanks for the great response to all these Hamilton threads :)

A listing of my Hamilton threads:

Neighbourhood Tours:

"The largest fabric and textile district in Canada" (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=135905)

Another incredible Hamilton neighbourhood: Kirkendall (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=135162)

Five Miles of Grit: A long walk down Barton St. in Hamilton (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=119700)

"possibly the largest concentration of early 20C mansions in Canada" (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=118098)

Hamilton Mountain: Concession Street (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=140408)

Inner City Beauty: A fine urban neighbourhood (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=141099)

Spring in the Valley: Dundas, ON (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=131127)

A leisurely stroll through the inner city (urbanity+grit) (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=134211)

Twilight of the Industrial Age (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=128954)

Twilight of the Industrial Age II (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=139601)

Old school suburbia: A profile of one of Canada's first and finest suburbs (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=135327)

<<-nite-life->> (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=138574)

Ancaster: Hamilton's wealthiest suburb (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=140652)

Corktown: an urban neighbourhood in Hamilton (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=138983)



Variety threads:

Old Man Winter vs. Hamilton (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=124596)

The Hammer Lives! (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=133598)

Conquer and rule or serve and lose, suffer or triumph, be the anvil or THE HAMMER (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=136882)

◄A Crazy Melange of Imagery from Hamilton► (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=127266)

Two rolls of black and white film (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=132020)