Have you noticed something new at the corner of Burlington St. and Sherman Ave.? Next time you are in the area, be sure to have a look at the newly-refurbished clock, serving as a landmark and welcome gateway to the Port of Hamilton. HOPA takes pride in maintaining and celebrating the history of our port city, especially where the edge of the port meets residential neighborhoods.
This gateway feature will complement the Sherman Ave component of the port authority’s Westport Modernization Project which began in 2018. The Westport project has included storm water/sewer upgrades, lighting and resurfacing along the corridor, and landscaping and new trees added along either side of the street. International Harvester (an agriculture equipment manufacturer, trucks and tractors) started in 1902/Hamilton. IH’s original ‘spinning cube’ sign was in place from the 1950s to the early 1980s. IH’s tractor business was bought by JI Case in 1985, which saw the first version of the three-faced sign/clock created. That company was in operation in Hamilton until the late 90s. In the early/mid 2000s, the former Hamilton Port Authority altered the clock with the time stamped by ship wheels, in keeping with a maritime theme. The new upgrades included new metal work and mechanics, as well as a new ‘Welcome to the Port of Hamilton’ message. We hope the new landmark will help welcome visitors to Ontario’s largest port for many years to come.
