Did You Know…
Chrysanthemums are Hamilton’s official flower and that Hamilton also hosts an annual event called ‘The Mum Show’ in late October? It takes place at the Gage Park Greenhouse and Tropical Park and features over 200 different varieties of this flower.
Did You Know…
The first bank in Hamilton opened Monday May 2nd, 1835 as The Gore Bank of Hamilton located on King St. W between McNab and Charles St. The Bank received it’s charter in 1835.In 1869 it along with 4 other banks amalgamated with the C.I.B.C (Canadian Bank of Commerce). The original Gore bank was tore down in 1929.
Did You Know…
Hamilton held Canada’s oldest and most prestigious horse race The Queen’s Plate in 1866? Originally raced at Carleton Racetrack in Toronto in 1860 it was decided Hamilton would host the race as part of celebrations in the city for Queen Victoria’s birthday. The race was run at the Hamilton Riding and Driving Park located at what we know today as Gage Park. It was considered one of the finest racecourses in North America at the time. The winner of that race was Beacon who was trained and ridden by Johnny Gagen in 1:54.0.
The tradition continues with 158th running the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto going to the post on July 2nd 2017.
Did You Know…
When Hamilton firefighters return to their stations following a call they will ring a bell twice to signify the end of a call. This was started by Hamilton’s first ‘full time’ Fire Chief Alexander (Two-Strokes) Aitchison. Aitchison was killed on April 5th,1905 when two horse drawn fire buggies collided at the intersection of King St. and James St. while responding to a minor grass fire set by two boys playing with matches. Aitchison was thrown from his carriage and struck his head on a newly placed John A. McDonald Statue that was actually set in the intersection. The statue was then moved off the street in Gore Park.
