POINT 21 | La ligne bleue | #HamiltonVilleAccueillante
RÉSIDENCES REMARQUABLES | 256 Macnab St N, Hamilton
Beautiful Victorians to see!
"Beautiful Victorians to admire, to dazzle the commercial area of James Street North."
The beautiful brick houses built on Macnab in 1879 are the work of architect James Balfour. This designer also built Treble Hall on 12 John St N, north of Gore Park.
Their design was influenced by the architect's trip to San Francisco, where he saw the original Painted Ladies. Most of the original Victorian features of these row houses have been preserved, and carefully restored.
The Bellwether Italianate Townhouse at 227 Park St N is owned by the local marketing agency Bellwether X. It dates back to 1870 and has two suites available for rent. Don't miss the message on its wall overlooking Barton!
BEHIND THE SCENES
The idea was good
As you stroll up to 245 Bay St N (off the Blue Line), the stone building is so different from its neighbours! One notices the beautifully engraved instruments and the draped fruits on its facade.
In 1935, it was well named: Harmony. It was the vision of Dr. Vincenzo Agro, who arrived in Hamilton from Sicily in 1926. It was he who led the campaign to open this place that would encourage loyalty among its members to their adopted country. The elegant building offered dances, theatre, shows and various meetings. Then 1940 came...
At the end of the war, after the internment of many of Hamilton's Italians, Harmony's activities never resumed.
FOR THE CURIOUS
Those interested in the history of Hamilton's architecture and urban development will want to explore the Memory Lane Tour section under the Things to do tab at www.downtownhamilton.org.
It provides interesting information and historical photos for over 50 downtown buildings.
Hamilton also has its Doors Open, which takes place the first weekend in May. For details, search for Hamilton at www.doorsopenontario.on.ca.
On the Hamilton Public Library website, there are over 3,500 archival photos of Hamilton buildings and public places... and so much more! (At www.hpl.ca, look for the LOCAL HISTORY tab, click the Images option, then Online Images Collections, and finally PreView. There are several categories to choose from).
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TO POINT 22...
(Distance = 115 metres)
Fro.m MacNab, churchgoers will want to make a left on Barton St W to see Our Lady of All Souls at 21 Barton St W
