Wilson Street (Hamilton, Ontario)

Wilson Street, is a Lower City collector road in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It is a one-way street throughout that starts off at James Street North and works its way East and ends at Sherman Avenue North.

History

There are two streets in Hamilton, Ontario named "Wilson Street", one in downtown Hamilton and the other in "Ancaster". In 2001 when Amalgamation took place Ancaster joined up and became a part of the new Hamilton along with the towns of Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook and Stoney Creek. The name of the main road that cuts through "Ancaster" is also named Wilson Street. cite web| title = Chronology of Cities, Towns & Townships in Hamilton (www.myhamilton.ca)| url=http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/Localhistory/Townships.htm| accessdate = 2007-04-07] Originally, "Wilson Street" in downtown Hamilton was part an Indian Trail. Other city roads that were Indian Trails include, York Boulevard and King Street in the Lower City plus Concession Street and Mohawk Road on the Hamilton mountain. cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|pg=143|year=1981] "Wilson Street" in Hamilton between James Street and "Mary Street" was originally called "Gore Street" after the "District of Gore". Wilson Street was named after Hugh B. Wilson, a local landowner who opened a survey on the street. cite book|title=Footsteps In Time: Exploring Hamilton's heritage neighbourhoods|first=Bill |last=Manson |publisher=North Shore Publishing Inc|year=2003|id= ISBN 1-896899-22-6]

Sonic Unyon Recording Company, is a Hamilton, Ontario-based record label, ("Wilson Street" near James Street North), that has put out releases by bands including Tristan Psionic, Sianspheric, Shallow North Dakota, Eric's Trip, Hayden, the New Grand, Frank Black and the Catholics, A Northern Chorus and Raising the Fawn. Founded in 1992 by "Mark Milne", "Sandy McIntosh" and "Tim Potocic" (of Tristan Psionic), Sonic Unyon is one of the largest independent labels in Canada. cite web| title = Sonic Unyon Recording Company (www.sonicunyon.com)| url=http://www.sonicunyon.com/| accessdate = 2007-04-27]

Time capsule

A Time capsule was buried beneath a marker on the north-east corner of James & Wilson Streets on Wednesday November 16th, 1988 by the Jamesville Business Community under the aegis of the City's Business Improvement Area (B.I.A.) Programme. It commemorates the completion of the James Street North streetscape project (1986-1988) which marked the renaissance of this historic link between the Hamilton Harbour and the City Centre.

James Street has always been the focal point for new Canadians arriving in Hamilton, first by ship from overseas docking at the foot of James Street later by train at the CN Railway Station. The first arrivals were English, Scottish and Irish; later came Italian and German; more recently Portuguese and then Greek. All in their turn have added to the cultural richness of the street. The Capsule is to be opened on Tuesday, November 16th, 2038 by the Mayor, Alderman and Business Leaders of James Street North on that Future day.

It was a bright warm, Indian summer afternoon when the capsule was buried; It is hoped it will be the same when the capsule is raised 50 years hence. Those that were in attendance in 1988 when the time capsule was buried include Bob Morrow (Mayor), Sidney H. Leon (President of the Jamesville B.I.A.), Jerry Sherman (Vice President of Jamesville B.I.A.), Vince Agro (Alderman Ward 2), Filipe M. Vianna (Treasurer) and William M. McCulloch (Alderman Ward 2).

Landmarks

"Note: Listing of Landmarks from West to East."
*Hamilton City Centre (Mall, formerly the Eaton's Centre), this point marks the end of York Boulevard and the same road then becomes "Wilson Street"
*Jamesville, which is shared by the Italian & Portuguese communities of Hamilton
*James North Art District
*Time capsule, north-east corner of James & Wilson Streets (Nov-16-1988, Nov-16-2038)
*Sonic Unyon Recording Company
*Living Rock Ministries building
*Stewart Memorial Church (originally St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church. 1961 also became a Masonic Hall. North of "Wilson" on "John Street".)
*St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
*Hamilton Downtown Mosque
*Beasley Park
**Beasley Park water fountain
**Beasley Park Community Centre
*Wilson Medical Centre/ Pharmacy
*Wilson Diagnostic Centre
*Dr. J. Edgar Davey Elementary School
*Wellington Place Apartments, 18-storey building
*Jack C. Beemer Park
*Eagle Worldwide Revival Centre, (church)
*Cathedral Secondary School
*Parks Furniture Warehouse building

Communities

"Note: Listing of neighbourhoods from West to East." cite web| title = Hamilton Neighbourhood Boundaries, (map.hamilton.ca)| url=http://map.hamilton.ca/Static/PDFs/General%20Interest%20maps/Overall%20City/NeighbourhoodBoundaries.pdf| accessdate = 2007-05-11]
*Central - The financial center of Hamilton, Ontario
*Beasley
*Landsdale
*Gibson
*Stipeley

Roads that are parallel with Wilson Street

"Lower City Roads:"
*Burlington Street, West/East
*Barton Street, West/East
*Cannon Street, West/East
*Wilson Street
*King William Street
*King Street, West/East
*Main Street, West/East; - Queenston Road
*Jackson Street, East
*Hunter Street, West/East
*Augusta Street
*Charlton Avenue, West/East
*Aberdeen Avenue"Niagara Escarpment (Mountain) Roads:"
*Concession Street
*Queensdale Avenue West/ East
*Scenic Drive - Fennell Avenue, West/East
*Sanatorium Road
*Mohawk Road, West/East
*Limeridge Road West/East
*Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway - Mud Street, (Hamilton City Road 11)
*Stone Church Road, West/East
*, West/East
*Twenty Road

Roads that cross Wilson Street

"Note: Listing of streets from West to East."
* James Street, North
* Hughson Street, North
* John Street, North
* Catharine Street, North
* Ferguson Avenue, North
* Wellington Street, North
* Victoria Avenue, North
* Wentworth Street, North
* Sherman Avenue, North

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References

*MapArt Golden Horseshoe Atlas - Page 647 - Grids G11, G12, G13, G14, G15

External links

* [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Wilson+Street,+Hamilton,+Hamilton,+Ontario,+Canada&layer=&sll=43.25514,-79.85327&sspn=0.032756,0.079823&ie=UTF8&z=14&ll=43.256768,-79.853268&spn=0.032755,0.079823&t=h&om=1&iwloc=addr Google Maps: Wilson Street (Hybrid)]