By Maggie Day-Myron
<a href=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Beasley-homestead-at-435-Main-Street-East.jpg”><img class=”wp-image-1545 size-full” src=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Beasley-homestead-at-435-Main-Street-East.jpg” alt=”Beasley homestead at 435 Main Street East” width=”960″ height=”269″ /></a> Beasley homestead at 435 Main Street East
Walking through our neighbourhood streets is always a joy. Stopping to note and appreciate the many architectural details on the houses can easily turn into a 2 hour stroll. Walks are also eventful at night when the stained glass windows reveal their beauty and variety. We are very fortunate that we still have so many heritage houses and apartment blocks in our community as they give us a visible insight into how our little corner of Hamilton has progressed through the years.
As a gesture to all its residents, one of the goals of the Stinson Community Association is to attempt to gather together as much information as we can about our neighbourhood, so that we can all gain a sense of pride in how Stinson has grown and have ideas for its future. We will try to unearth the history of local industry, businesses, schools and most importantly, the people who lived here before us. What was our neighbourhood like in the late 19th and early 20th century? Where are we going in the 21st century? This will take time and a considerable amount of research but the end result will be an appreciation of where we come from and where we go, as a community.
Our neighbourhood is bounded by Wentworth St. to the East, Wellington St. to the West, Main St. East to the North and Charlton Ave. to the South. This area is rich in the history of Hamilton as a city, we truly have some gems in our past! We will expand on such people as<strong> Robert Land</strong>, one of the first immigrant settlers of Hamilton. His family owned most of what is now the Stinson neighbourhood. Also, the little known fact that the owner of the Lister Block, <strong>Joseph Lister</strong> lived at the corner of Victoria and Stinson. His family home is still standing among the apartment buildings now there. <strong>Central Collegiate Institute</strong> the impressive school that used to occupy the land where the Central Memorial Recreation Centre is situated was attended by Lester B. Pearson. We will also explore the history of such places as the <strong>Fearman House</strong>, <strong>The Boys Home</strong> and <strong>Stinson Street School</strong> all on Stinson Street and all with their own fascinating stories.
<a href=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/401-Main-Street-East-was-Galbreaith-House-1898.jpg”><img class=”wp-image-1543 size-full” src=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/401-Main-Street-East-was-Galbreaith-House-1898.jpg” alt=”401 Main Street East was Galbreaith House 1898″ width=”960″ height=”234″ /></a> 401 Main Street East was Galbreaith House 1898
<a href=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/East-Ave-South-ice-storm.jpg”><img class=”wp-image-1549 size-full” src=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/East-Ave-South-ice-storm.jpg” alt=”East Ave South ice storm” width=”523″ height=”640″ /></a> East Ave South ice storm<a href=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/East-Ave-South-Autumn.jpg”><img class=”wp-image-1548 size-full” src=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/East-Ave-South-Autumn.jpg” alt=”East Ave South Autumn” width=”541″ height=”640″ /></a> East Ave South Autumn<a href=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/East-Ave-South-Autumn-2.jpg”><img class=”wp-image-1547 size-full” src=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/East-Ave-South-Autumn-2.jpg” alt=”East Ave South Autumn 2″ width=”617″ height=”469″ /></a> East Ave South Autumn<a href=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/East-Ave-South-Autumn-1.jpg”><img class=”wp-image-1546 size-full” src=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/East-Ave-South-Autumn-1.jpg” alt=”East Ave South Autumn 1″ width=”511″ height=”621″ /></a> East Ave South Autumn<a href=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/65925_560140460670918_843430497_n.jpg”><img class=”wp-image-1544 size-full” src=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/65925_560140460670918_843430497_n.jpg” alt=”65925_560140460670918_843430497_n” width=”500″ height=”407″ /></a> Central Collegiate Institute
<a href=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Architecture.jpg”><img class=” size-full wp-image-1506 alignright” src=”http://www.stinsoncommunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Architecture.jpg” alt=”Architecture” width=”620″ height=”607″ /></a>