FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT HAMILTON AND VICINITY (Courtesy, Hamilton Public Library, Special Collections Department) Did you know that: Hamilton has an area of 54.38 square miles or 38,055.04 acres, of which 5,641.98 acres are water? The phrase “Golden Horseshoe” was first used by Westinghouse President, Herbert H. Rogge, in a speech to the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce on 12 January 1954? “Hamilton in 50 years will be the forward cleat in a ‘golden horseshoe’ of industrial development from Oshawa to the Niagara River. Hamilton was incorporated as a police village in 1833 and as a city in 1846? The city’s motto is “Commerce, Prudence, and Industry”? At various stages in its history, Hamilton has been known as the “Birmingham of Canada”, “The Pittsburgh of Canada”, and “The Electric City”? Hamilton is twinned with nine other cities? (Shawinigan, Quebec; Mangalore, India; Fukuyama, Japan; Racalmuto, Italy; Flint, Michigan; Ma’Anshan, China; Abruzzo, Italy; Sarasota, Florida; Monterrey, Mexico) Hamilton’s civic flower is yellow chrysanthemum? The Royal Botanical Gardens encompass 2,700 acres of gardens and woodlands? The mean depth of Hamilton Harbour is 13 metres; the maximum depth is 25 metres? In 1912 the Hamilton Harbour Commissioners were formed by an Act of Parliament to take over administration of the harbour from the City? The first canal was dug through the Beach Strip in 1823? Burlington Heights was a major defensive strongpoint for British and Canadian forces during the War of 1812? King Street, York Street, John Street and Mohawk Road were once Indian trails? Established in April 1903, the Hamilton Automobile Club was the first such club in Canada? The first automobile race in Hamilton occurred on 8 August 1904? The Skyway Drive-In, Canada’s first drive-in, opened on 10 July 1946 at Highway 8 near Gray’s Road in Stoney Creek? Hamilton once had two incline railways which moved people up and down the escarpment? (The Wentworth Street Incline and the James Street Incline) The Burlington Bay Skyway Bridge was opened on 30 October 1958 as a toll bridge? Toll charges were abolished as of 28 December 1973 Hamilton has one doughnut shop for every 5,721 residents? The first public bowling alley in Hamilton opened in 1890 at the rear of the J.W. MacDonald Tobacco Shop at 66 James Street North? Hamilton was host of the first British Empire (Commonwealth) Games in 1930? Three Lieutenant-Governors of Ontario have called Hamilton their home? (Sir John Morison Gibson, 1908-1914; Sir John Strathearn Hendrie, 1914-1919; Lincoln Alexander, 1985- 1991) Canada’s first woman cabinet minister, Ellen Fairclough, is from Hamilton? Quinto Martini of Hamilton was the first Italian Canadian elected to Parliament? Six Canadian stamps have been issued which directly relate to Hamilton? (United Empire Loyalist Statue stamp; Hamilton and the Scourge stamp; the Royal Botanical Gardens stamp; Adelaide Hunter Hoodless stamp; Hamilton Sesquicentennial stamp and Ellen Louks Fairclough stamp).