April 28: National Day of Mourning

Monday, April 28 is the National Day of Mourning to remember and honour those who have died, been injured or suffered illness in the workplace. All HPL Branches will observe a minute of silence at 11am to honour their memories.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, April 25, 2025 - 9:00am
Westdale Branch: Polling Station

Monday, April 28 is Election Day in Canada. Westdale Branch is open 9:30am-9:30pm as a polling station. Please bring one piece of ID to vote. Please note there will be a minute of silence at 11am in honour of the National Day of Mourning.

1
Published:
Friday, April 25, 2025 - 9:00am
City of Hamilton IT Maintenance

Due to City IT maintenance, HPL's catalogue and digital resources will not be available on Sunday, April 27 between midnight and 1am. We apologize for the inconvenience.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, April 25, 2025 - 9:00am
Extended Access at Freelton Branch Unavailable

Extended Access at Freelton Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Published:
Thursday, April 24, 2025 - 12:00pm
Ancaster Branch - Temporary Closure, May 5-31

From Monday, May 5 to Saturday, May 31, the Ancaster Branch will be temporarily closed due to a roof and HVAC replacement. During this time, service hours will be available at the Ancaster Rotary Centre, 385 Jerseyville Road West, Ancaster. The last day to pick up your Holds is Thursday, May 1st. Thank you for your understanding.

www.hpl.ca/ancaster

1
Published:
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - 11:00am
Central Library - Microfilm Machine

The digital microfilm machines at Central Library are not working. A single analog machine is available, but it doesn't print. We aim to have the digital devices repaired as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

1
Affected Branch: Central Library
Published:
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 3:30pm
Barton Branch - Roof Repair

Due to the ongoing roof repair project, noise and parking disruptions will continue until April 25. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 3:30pm
Sherwood Branch - Basement Renovation

The first phase of renovations will begin at the Sherwood Branch from April 10 to May 2. During this time, noise disruptions may occur throughout the branch due to a basement renovation. Parking, access to the building, and collections will not be affected. Thank you for your patience. www.hpl.ca/sherwood

Published:
Monday, April 7, 2025 - 8:30am
Phishing Scheme

Please be aware of online phishing attempts impersonating Hamilton Public Library and Library Staff. HPL does not solicit paid freelance opportunities through social media or other messaging applications. HPL does not request personal or banking information through social media or require financial compensation when reviewing job applications. Please report phishing schemes to communications@hpl.ca. If you think you are a victim of fraud, please call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 10:30am

Woodhouse Collection - Listing of Volumes 1-8

#6-1

Drawn from nature on stone by J.C. 1848

[National Archives]

 

#6-2

Dundas in 1853

 

#6-3

probably 1863

Dundas Cotton Mills 1860-1894. Enlarged 1864

Wentworth Woolen Works 1851-60. Burned 18/2/60

Dundas Woolen Works 1859-63. G.M. Barton, owner

Elgin Mills 1847-51. B. MacNab, Prop.

Dundas Woolen Factory same as Elgin Mills, John Patterson, owner

Addition to Bertrams May 1866

Town Hall 1848

Merchant's Exchange 1851

St. James Church 1843

Duncan McMillan, photographer 1868-87+

 

#6-4

Hay Scale Square - Town Hall, Dundas

Commercial Bank of Midland District, later Bank of British North America

#8 Hatt Street. About 1868

Built 1832 by James Belle Ewart. Used by him as the Commercial Bank, then the Bank of B.N.A. Also as a Post Office. Miss Wilson had a private school here about 1889-1891. It was started by Mrs. Chas. Gwyn for her daughter's benefit. Pupils = Mrs. J. Keagey, the Dicksons of Foxbar, mabel and Bertha Steele, Hope Homestead, Florence Bertram

 

#6-5

Dundas, 1870

 

#6-6

Dundas, 1910

 

#6-7

[Dundas - aerial shot]

1946

 

#6-8

[Dundas]

1868

 

#6-9

[Dundas]

1868

Bottom right: Screw factory

 

#6-10

About 1887?

Certainly after 1886 (land slide)

The Screw Factory, Ogilvie St.

from the Town Hall tower

 

#6-11

McK & Bertram factory burned May 26/65

rebuilt with rough cast 60 x 40

May 1866 added large 2 storey brick addn.

July 1867 added moulding shop

June 1869 added wareroom and pattern shop

St. James built 1843

Miss Ridler's School 1849-1903

next house east is Miss McMahon's School

H & D Ry built 1879

This photo is between 1866 and 79 I think

Probably 1868 because Duncan McMillan photographer 1868-1887

 

#6-12

Grafton's Office

 

#6-13

Public School, 1858

left to right: 1. Miss Sweeney, Girl's Teacher; 2. Sam Horner, Principal; 3. Miss J. Munroe; 4. Jas. Lumsden, ASST HI SCH; 5.---; 6.---; 7. Oliver Hobson, Caretaker; 8. ---; 9. John King, Principal, High School

 

#6-14

[Dundas]

1888

 

#6-15

 

#6-16

 

#6-17

 

#6-18

Wesleyan Young Men's Institute

later House of Providence

This right section was originally the

home of Jas. Coleman

 

#6-19

In front of House of Providence

Grave of Rev. John McNulty whose

savings bought this property

 

#6-20

H/P Picnic 1895

[House of Providence]

 

#6-21

Woods & Edwards Pad Factory near Jones Bros.

Destroyed by fire. Mr. Rutherford was manager

left to right: Front row: 1. Ernest Sourbier; 2. R.P. Manning; 3. Chas Southey, in doorway; 4. Frank Chosie; 5. Fred Hardy; 6. Frank Hanes; 7. Ernest Ball; 8. Jas Manning; On Waggon: 1. Wm. Payne; 2. Geo Taylor; 3. Rutherford I; 4. Rutherford II; 5. ---; Tommy Rutherford in front

W.W. Scott says: "I worked here for $1 per week. They owed $125. paid WWS $100 plus a bale of ticking (500 lbs.)

 

#6-22

Pad Factory now Jones Bros.

 

#6-23

George Rolph

 

#6-24

George Rolph's log cabin at rear of 43 Cross St 1877

Now in the Driving Park. Mrs. Barnwell at door

May Burton (Mrs. George, 112 Melville) thinks that this picture was taken 1877 and that it is her mother in the doorway with May and her sister peeking out. Her father lived there until about 1887. Before him was Grandpa Barnwell, J.P. Kitty O'Neil last to live there.

 

#6-25

 

#6-26

Telephone set purchased and with a similar set installed by Alexander Graham Bell personally in Sept. or Oct. 1877 for R.F. Couper Co., Dundas

Property of Telephone Museum & Historical Collection, The Bell Telephone Company of Canada

 

#6-27

 

#6-28

 

#6-29

[Dundas]

 

#6-30

Oakbrae in 1889 - then home of the McFarlanes

In 1947 home of James A. Dickson

 

#6-31

 

#6-32

 

#6-33

Probably 1870

Photo by R.S. Brooke, 1856-1887

 

#6-34

St. James Church & School House, Dundas

Revd. F.L. Osler, M.A. Rector

W. Kern Esq T. Hatt, Esq. S. Overfield, Esq. Churchwardens 1858 1859

The tower and spire of the church having been completed by the exertions and industry of the Ladies of the congregation.

H. Gregory, Lith.

1859

 

#6-35

 

#6-36

 

#6-37

Isolation Hospital, Dundas, 1912

 

#6-38

N.E. corner of Sydenham and Melville

built by John F. Wood for himself

then J.S. Grafton bought it

then rented by ___ Moffat, Mgr. B'k of Commerce

then bought by Matt S. Wilson

then bought by Stewart Phelps

 

#6-39

 

#6-40

The Dundas Steam Cabinet Factory of John Cowper 1847-70 & R.F. Cowper 1870-82

J. F. Burton 1882-93. Felt Shoe Co. 1883. Etherington 1891-92

Cliff & sons (Dom. Lightning Rod Co.) 1897-1920

 

#6-41

[Riley House]

 

#6-42

[Riley House]

 

#6-43

Osler Memorial House

 

#6-44

Mrs. Wm H Austen 1953

nee Ann Jane Warren

 

#6-45

Ann Jane Warren, 1877, Dundas

1876 - McMillan photo - exhibited at Toronto Exhibition of Ann Jane Warren, aged 18, of Dundas, daughter of John Warren, millwright at Fisher's Paper Mill. She later married Wm. H Austen in 1882. In 1950 she was living in Hamilton, aged 92.

 

#6-46

 

#6-47

The Lesslie Home

Wm. Lyon Mackenzie lived here

 

#6-48

[Dundas Town Hall]

 

#6-49

Town Hall, Dundas

 

#6-50

The Cotton Mill boarding house (French people)

Isolation Hospital Scarlet Fever, 1908

SE corner Main and Dundas Streets

Bottom part built about 1836 as a home for Benjamin Overfield who owned much of this, the public square; and who, with his bother Sam gave the Town Hall site to the Town, 1848. The upper half, note the difference in the brick laying was probably added by the Dundas Cotton Co. about 1879 when they brought 60 families from England, and used this building as a boarding house for them. In 1904-14 it was used by the Town as an isolation hospital for scarlet fever patients.

In Nov. 1938 it was torn down.

 

#6-51

[Dundas Tabernacle]

 

#6-52

 

#6-53

 

#6-54

 

#6-55

 

#6-56

Wentworth Mills on right.

Flouring and Gristing. 1833-58.

Built and owned by Robert Holt.

1847-48 Wm Dewston lessee

1861 J. H. Ellis and D. Woodlams

1862-63 John McIntosh

1863-92 John Wilson bought

Burned down about 1892

Wentworth Brewery

1836-63 Robert Holt and Henry Gray

burned Nov. 22/63

1863-66 Wilson Bros rebuilt ruins

1866 John Dickie

1867 Thornton & Co.

1875-80 M. Wright & Co.

about 1880 George Proctor

 

#6-57

Richard Hatt's Red Mill, Ancaster

built 1798 by Richard Hatt

 

#6-58

Farquhar's Lime Kiln

1847-1880

 

#6-59

 

#6-60

Doolittle & Wilcox Stone Co.

built 1905

 

#6-61

Doolittle & Wilcox Stone Co.

 

#6-62

 

#6-63

 

#6-64

 

#6-65

 

#6-66

 

#6-67

Canada Crushed Stone

Fire April 29, 1922

Re-opened June 27 (8 weeks later)

 

#6-68

Canada Crushed Stone