Hamilton Mountain Heritage Society

10/19/2026

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Pat Saunders, past President of our society and recipient of the Rev. T. Melville Bailey Heritage Award, named for our founder.

Pat was a tireless advocate for the preservation of Hamilton's history and heritage but her contributions to our community were wide-ranging including working in community mental health care, being at the forefront on women's social issues and chairing the Police Services Board.

We hope her family, friends and colleagues will find comfort in the lasting positive impact Pat had on her community and all that knew her.

10/17/2026

For our next meeting we welcome John Bullen from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

All are welcome. Event is Free

Date: Tuesday November 17, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Trinity Lutheran Church
232 Fennell Avenue E Hamilton, ON L9A 1S7 (Upper Wellington and Fennell)

The Guinea Pig Club

During WW 2, the Guinea Pig Club was instrumental in helping badly burned and disfigured aircrew return to operations and others reintegrate back into society. The Auchmar estate on Hamilton Mountain became RCAF No. 2 Convalescent Hospital during the Second World War. Learn about Canada’s incredible contribution of medical expertise and resources that helped change the lives of many badly injured aircrew.

We hope to see you there.

08/24/2026

30th Anniversary Celebration

Please join us as Hamilton Mountain Heritage Society Celebrates 30 years of Recovering, Recording and Preserving the history of “The Mountain”

All are welcome. Event is Free
Date: Tuesday September 15, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Trinity Lutheran Church (formerly Transfiguration Lutheran)
232 Fennell Avenue E Hamilton, ON L9A 1S7 (Upper Wellington and Fennell)

Please RSVP to: [email protected]

We hope to see you there.

06/22/2026

A view of Rymal Road East nearly 90 years ago.

Looking west along Rymal Road East (Hwy 53) near Dartnall Road in 1940.

The house behind the tree on the right is now home to The Pool Shoppe. The rest are gone. In the distance is the CN level crossing, now the rail trail. Also in the distance on the right is the former St George's Anglican Church which was moved later to Ball's Falls Conservation Area.

Image from Hamilton Police Historical Society & Museum

04/30/2026

For our next membership meeting, we welcome local historian and author Bill King who will speak on the history of select Hamilton Mountain schools.

All are welcome. Event is Free

Date: Tuesday May 19, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Trinity Lutheran Church (formerly Transfiguration Lutheran)
232 Fennell Avenue E Hamilton, ON L9A 1S7 (Upper Wellington and Fennell)

Remembering G. L. Armstrong and other Hamilton Mountain Schools of the Past.

Brantdale, Hill Park, Barton Secondary, Peace Memorial, Mohawk Trail, Southmount, Linden Park, Inverness, the "Twin School" at James and Mohawk, Ryckmans Corners have all closed. Bill will explore the history of these lost schools before turning his attention to surviving George L. Armstrong, including his personal recollections of student life there.

We hope to see you there.

04/14/2026

Seventeen heritage volunteers from twelve organizations will be recognized, and the Bailey Heritage Award winner will be announced. April 22 at 7 pm, in the Coach House at Dundurn.

03/31/2026

Opening of Mountain Station at 488 Upper Wellington St, December 20, 1956. Left to Right: Paul Beshley, ?, ?, Jim Hoyle Sr., Roy Merritt, Inspector A.O. Jackson, Jim Patterson, Judge W.F. Schwenger, Chief Len Lawrence, unnamed Judge. This station closed in 2003.

02/26/2026

Public notice was given by the City of Hamilton on February 24, 2026 of its intention to designate G. L. Armstrong School, 460 Concession Street, under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, as being a property of cultural heritage value.

The request for designation was made by the Hamilton Mountain Heritage Society.

Any person has 30 days to provide their objection to the designation.

You can find details here:

The City of Hamilton intends to designate 460 Concession Street, Hamilton (George L. Armstrong School), under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, as being a property of cultural heritage value.Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest

02/19/2026

For our next membership meeting we welcome Dr. Laura Smith who will speak on the Irish Famine and Irish immigration connections to Hamilton.

All are welcome. Event is Free

Date: Tuesday March 17, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Trinity Lutheran Church (formerly Transfiguration Lutheran)
232 Fennell Avenue E Hamilton, ON L9A 1S7 (Upper Wellington and Fennell)

"1847: The Great Irish Famine and Hamilton, Canada West."

When Irish families emigrated from Ireland to escape starvation and disease, many ended up in Hamilton. They either stayed in the area, used Hamilton as a stopover for further journeys or sadly, were buried here after succumbing to diseases like Cholera.

Dr. Smith is an historian of the Irish in Canada. She holds a PhD in History from the University of Toronto. She has published articles on various aspects of Irish Catholic immigrant experiences in nineteenth-century Ontario, including on the reception of Famine migrants in Canada West, particularly Hamilton.

Coincidentally, our meeting happens on St. Patrick's Day.

We hope you can make it.

Our meetings are free and all are Welcome!

02/15/2026

Classmates enjoying some reading time at Eastmount Park School in the 1970s.

Image from HWDSB Educational Archives.