Thanks for the responses

Yesterday’s article in the paper about Hamilton memorabilia prompted a deluge of responses from readers. Thanks to everyone who is taking an interest in the memory project. It will take me a while to sort through the material but at first glance I can see that we will have no trouble whatsoever telling the story of Hamilton through the eyes of Spectator readers. This is a city that dearly loves its history and people thoroughly enjoy talking about it.
This morning I was interviewed on CHAM radio about the project, and Jason Farr says he will be checking back over the next several weeks to see how things are going. Did anyone hear it at 6.45 and 8.45 this morning (Feb. 22)?
As for the comments received on this blog. . .
Wm Gower was trying to find information about a James Street orphanage. I know that orphanage records are often sourced by genealogists for family history information. I would check with Special Collections, the Hamilton Public Library. They will point you in the right direction.
Gary Zoskey told me about a life story he is writing and asked whether he should send it. The answer is: of course. We’re not saying no to anything (well almost anything. And please don't send original items, or one of a kind items. Take a photo of it, instead)
Jim Boyd asked about restaurants during the 60s and 70s. I didn’t live in Hamilton then. But perhaps others might know.
June Segato has a CPR receipt book. I’m asking people to send digital or regular photos of memorabilia they have. And the interesting items will be posted. She might also want to consider bringing it to our Show us Your Stuff Hamilton night on March 30, which will be like the Antiques Roadshow on PBS, only focused entirely on Hamilton collectibles and memorabilia.
Stanley Clewlow’s response is exactly the kind of thing I am looking for. It would be nice if he fleshed it out a bit, up to 500 words. I will e-mail him directly.
And also thanks to Linda Arnold. I remember the Eaton’s elevators myself. It was a sad day when they did away with the white gloves. It was really the beginning of the end for Eatons. I will e-mail Linda directly.

Mark

Comments

[Darryl Buckle]

A biginning of an answer to JIM BOYD re Restaurants in Hamilton of the 60s and 70s ~ Lets start with Martin's Ringside Restaurant on Barton Street east.The owner, Martin Hutzler was a wrestler at one time and I believe eventually a local promoter who sponsored bouts at the old Forum, (on Barton St. east between Wentworth and Sanford). His "Ringside Restaurant" featured a small wrestling ring as the main decor with dozens of photographs of wrestlers on the walls.The place was famous in the Hamilton-Niagara area for it's great steaks..the house speciality.

As a police officer, I sometimes attended the Forum as one of 3 or 4 special 'crowd control' officers, then after the bouts, would drop in to the back kitchen of Martin's restaurant for a coffee and a piece of pie. Several times I would be invited in to a 'dead room' I believed that had once been a fairly large walk-in freezer to meet 'the boys'. The main attractions for that night's card were sharing a drink or three and comparing bruises and yarns although an hour or two before had been trying to willfully maim each other. Surprisingly, some who only growled and snarled in the ring were the most jovial and articulate of the 'boys' that I was introduced to.

I can offer small insights to other restaurants if you so desire, Jim. I await your response. IF, however if you merely want a list of eating 'palaces', you can avail yourself of some old city directories at Hamilton's main library, 3rd floor at the Special Collections.
Regards...Darryl Buckle.

[Marlene]

I was wondering what memories you were looking for - happy, tragic or both?

I just moved to Hamilton last year and didn't realize how important Hamilton was to my family. I guess when my relatives visit the streets and the city refreshes the memory.

I knew that my eldest brothers and sisters were born here but I didn't realize that my father lived here when he was about 5 to 8 yrs old on Patrick St.

The original house is still there as is the fence separating a park from the tiny street where he had is first "fist fight" (actually he was ambushed while trying to climb under the fence to get to the park).

Someone mentioned an orphanage and I was wondering if anyone had any historical background to the many children of the 30's who were taken away from their parents at this time and put in orphanages and sent out to local farmers as child slave labour.

This was the fate of my father as that home on Patrick St was the last time he lived with his mother. His story had something to do with Catholic Children's Aid and their involvement with these foster kids.

Has anyone else had this experiene in Hamilton?