I’m not an old Northender, having lived here only a few years, but I try to make up for it with enthusiasm. As a hardcore pedestrian, my mission is to seek out strange old stuff, look for odd angles and reveal the mysteries of our awesome neighbourhood. I aim find all the interesting places, things, animals and people that area that are accessible and can tell a story.
The Two Towers: Stories from the bottom of John Street
by Robyn Gillam The Two Towers, the second novel in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy (along with the film based on it), is the scariest, most unsettling of the series. The two towers overlooking the harbour at the foot of John Street remind us of this tale. Theirs...
Beautiful North End
by Robyn Gillam In the mid 20th century, 468 James North was home to the Genesee Tavern, a famous watering hole and social hub of the old North End. Later on, it was Clarkey’s, part of Hamilton’s bar-based music scene. Like many such older establishments, the building...
Now you see them…now you don’t
by Robyn Gillam In the mid 20th century, 468 James North was home to the Genesee Tavern, a famous watering hole and social hub of the old North End. Later on, it was Clarkey’s, part of Hamilton’s bar-based music scene. Like many such older establishments, the building...
Now You See Them…Now You Don’t
by Robyn Gillam Since 1967, the 75 metre high Marina Towers apartments stood on the western bluffs overlooking Eastwood Park, at the corner of John and Brock Streets. They were the largest rental housing complex of this type in the North End, and, since the closure of...
Socializing on West Harbour: Bar or Playing field?
By Robyn Gillam On a blusterous late January day in Pier 4 Park, the wind blew loudly through the trees across a cloudy sky as water heaved in dark mounds in the harbour and ice fragments jangled. However, on Macassa Bay, it was calm. A huge collection of water...
Lester Coloma – Artist
Submitted by Robyn Gillam Lester Coloma’s murals can be seen all over Hamilton, painted directly on walls or in portable media. North Enders may be familiar with the whimsical food landscape at John and Barton that...
Are you a Tenant? Watch out for Bill 184
Submitted by Robyn Gillam Bill I84, which became law in July, rewrites provincial legislation governing residential tenancies, making it easier for landlords to evict tenants, bypassing hearings at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). In particular, it focusses on...
OLD HAUNTS OF THE NORTH END
by Robyn Gillam Among the many small business casualties of the Covid-19 Pandemic is Emma’s Back Porch, the storied bar and eatery on Old Lakeshore Road in Burlington. However, while the business is gone, Emma is still there, even though she died in 1943. The ghost of...
Leave it to Beaver
by Robyn Gillam Over the past couple of months, I have seen more animal activity in Pier 4 Park than usual. Apart from the poignant contrast to humans confined to their homes, it seemed that the ducks, geese, swans and various land birds were more relaxed, mostly...
Spring Can Really Hang You Up
by Robyn Gillam From a human perspective, Pier 4 park is pretty quiet these days. However, on a cloudy March day, it was filled with the noise of water and land birds enjoying the spring. Tweets, clicks, quacks, honking and trumpeting filled the air. As I stood on the...
