Historically Speaking

Historically Speaking Join Alex and Leanne on their adventures to historic locations all over Ontario!

Taken in about 1922, this photo was shot from the ferry looking up the hill toward the Wabasso (LaSalle) Pavilion.The ph...
08/31/2026

Taken in about 1922, this photo was shot from the ferry looking up the hill toward the Wabasso (LaSalle) Pavilion.

The photograph shows passengers lined up for the ferry, perhaps taking them to Hamilton or to points beyond.

In 1903, a modest little amusement park began beside the canal. It was called, simply, the Canal Amusement Park. It was ...
08/30/2026

In 1903, a modest little amusement park began beside the canal. It was called, simply, the Canal Amusement Park. It was a small venue with a bath house, snack bars and a Crazy House.

When plans were announced for an expansion, a bylaw was enacted banning any exhibition of waxworks, circus, menagerie, riding or any other such show usually exhibited by showmen.

Despite the bylaw, the park did expand and flourish. The park was soon called Burlington Beach Amusement Park. In 1912 it got an Eli Ferris Wheel and in 1914 a genuine Herschell Little Beauty carousel.

It was a small beach, and yet one of the nicest swimming places around. Once in the water, the sand continued far out an...
08/29/2026

It was a small beach, and yet one of the nicest swimming places around. Once in the water, the sand continued far out and you could go some distance from the shoreline before the water became too deep.

Shown here is the bathhouse, located just below Wabasso Park (now LaSalle Park)

It provided change areas for swimmers and a roof garden offering unparalleled views of the beach and bay. Constructed in the early 1920s, it was destroyed by fire in 1935.

It's a busy Hamilton intersection today, but back in the 1940s, this area of York and Dundurn was relatively quiet with ...
08/28/2026

It's a busy Hamilton intersection today, but back in the 1940s, this area of York and Dundurn was relatively quiet with only one car visible on the roadway.

The photograph not only shows the service station located at this strategic location but some of the early homes on both York and Dundurn streets, as well as a variety store behind the Coca-Cola sign.

Tom Freeman’s painting of the burning of the White House on Aug. 24, 1814, by British troops during the War of 1812.
08/28/2026

Tom Freeman’s painting of the burning of the White House on Aug. 24, 1814, by British troops during the War of 1812.

🌲 THE FOREST IS DIFFERENT AFTER DARK… 🌲👻During the day, the Hermitage is a beautiful historic site.At night?It's another...
08/27/2026

🌲 THE FOREST IS DIFFERENT AFTER DARK… 🌲👻

During the day, the Hermitage is a beautiful historic site.

At night?

It's another world.

The trees become shadows.

The ruins disappear into darkness.

And every sound makes you wonder…

Was that just the wind?

Join GhostWalks.com for an exclusive nighttime experience at the Hermitage Ruins in Ancaster.

This isn't a daytime tour.

You'll actually venture into the dark forest at night while your guide tells stories of:

👻 Whispers in the Woods
🕯️ Dark Ritual Encounters
💔 The Coachman of Lover's Lane
🏚️ The history and legends of the Hermitage
🔦 Reported paranormal encounters

You'll also have time to explore the ruins and experience the atmosphere for yourself.

And there's something most visitors don't get…

🏚️ SPECIAL ACCESS TO THE HISTORIC GATEHOUSE

Normally locked to the public.

🌕 Full Moon — August 28
🌕 Full Moon — September 26

🎃 October 2 • 9 • 16 • 23 • 30

🚗 FREE parking included.

Would you walk into these woods after dark?

🎟️ GhostWalks.com

In 1954, it was proposed to city council that something needed to be done about the old quarry at the top of the Jolley ...
08/27/2026

In 1954, it was proposed to city council that something needed to be done about the old quarry at the top of the Jolley Cut.

Shown here is the construction of the man-made waterfall on the escarpment.

It was quite the growing concern at one time, but the community of Mineral Springs is but a memory today.However, in the...
08/26/2026

It was quite the growing concern at one time, but the community of Mineral Springs is but a memory today.

However, in the years before this photo of the old Mineral Springs railway station was taken by Col. E. W. Clifford back in 1902, numerous trains stopped here, providing freight and passenger service.

Old records show that the community was a busy milling centre, with a flour and grist milll, a woollen mill, distillery as well as a cheese factory.

1958 photo taken on board the Macassa as ship gets ready to dock at the Burlington Shipping Canal.
08/25/2026

1958 photo taken on board the Macassa as ship gets ready to dock at the Burlington Shipping Canal.

It may be tame by today's standards, but in the roaring '20s, thrill seekers flocked to this old wooden roller coaster a...
08/24/2026

It may be tame by today's standards, but in the roaring '20s, thrill seekers flocked to this old wooden roller coaster at LaSalle Park.

This photo, taken shortly before the park's name was changed to LaSalle from Wabasso in 1923, shows the roller coaster located just to the east of the original pavilion.

Address

Fennell Avenue
Hamilton, ON

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Historically Speaking posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category