POINT 25 | La ligne bleue | #HamiltonVilleAccueillante 
HAMILTON FARMER’S MARKET |  35 York Blvd, Hamilton

The meeting of cultures... in every sense.

"The meeting of cultures... in every sense, in this market topped by the historic Birks clock, where 50 merchants coexist with independent counters where you can lunch ramen, burritos, naan..."

 The Hamilton Farmers' Market, long considered the largest of its kind in Canada, was established in 1837. A beautiful Market Hall with copper turrets was built in 1885. When it went up in flames in 1917, everyone made do as they could outside. Permanent shelters were built.

Conflicts between pedestrians and cars are not new! In the 1950s, motorists became impatient with the traffic jams created by the market. It wasn't until 1980 that the merchants were able to move into the current indoor space, which they shared with the municipal library.

On the website www.hamiltonfarmersmarket.ca, we see that the market now includes small world cuisine counters.

BEHIND THE SCENES

In the vast marketplace above our heads hangs the great clock that has marked the lives of Hamiltonians for many decades.

This is the 18-foot clock commissioned in 1930 in England by Henry Birks & Sons, which had taken over the corner of James and King in 1929. It was inspired by the clock at Wells Cathedral in Somerset.

For more than 50 years, the people of the city were able to meet "under the clock." Then Birks moved and it wasn't until 2010 that the clock, adorned with knights charging around its cylinder every 15 minutes, was given a proper place, prominently displayed in the Hamilton Farmers' Market.

If you look at it at the right time, you will see it activate and play a pre-programmed tune.

FOR THE CURIOUS :

As you approach the Hamilton Farmers' Market, you immediately notice the dashing red barn in front of its entrance. This is the installation Raising the Barn, by the explosive artist Dave Hind.

This "object maker," as it likes to describe himself, loves working with recycled materials, as can be seen on the hidden side of his work.

Although stylized, the barn retains an authentic look and recalls the community spirit of farmers of yesteryear who helped each other by building each other's barns. I

There's also a fun connection to the phrase "raising the roof" (which means to celebrate with joy by making lots of noise). The details under the barn add an exuberant touch that makes you smile.

TO POINT 26...    

(Distance = 475 metres)

Head east on York Blvd to Hughson St N, where you will turn south to King William St.