Concession Branch - Renovations Underway

Renovations are expected to be completed by May 7. Construction repairs and noise may impact your next visit. Thank you for your understanding.

Published:
Monday, April 13, 2026 - 1:15pm
Turner Park - Study Hall Cancellations

Due to maintenance and construction, Study Hall is cancelled on Thursdays, April 16 and 23 (8pm-Midnight). The parking lot will also not be available on Thursday, April 23 (10pm-5am) and Friday, April 24 (10pm-5am). We apologize for the inconvenience.

Published:
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 - 2:30pm
Mount Hope Branch - Delayed Opening, Monday, May 4

Due to Staff training, Mount Hope Branch will have a delayed opening of 2 pm on Monday, May 4. You may visit Turner Park Branch as the next nearest location for your library needs. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Friday, March 27, 2026 - 8:00am
Central Library: Children's Area Renovation on 2nd Floor, March 30-April 27

Starting March 30, renovations for the 2nd floor Central Children's Area will begin. Programs will still be offered as scheduled and there will be a temporary pop-up Children’s Area on the northeast side of the 2nd floor (near the Piano Room), including access to collections and train tables. Thank you for your patience during this time.

Published:
Monday, March 23, 2026 - 9:00am
Bookmobile Service Modifications

Due to driver availability, Bookmobile is off the road for the following. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Thursday, April 16

  • Rockton 10:30-11:30 am - Cancelled
  • Mohawk Gardens 2:30-3 pm - Cancelled
  • Meadowlands 3:30-4 pm - Cancelled

Tuesday, April 21

  • Greencedar 5:30pm-6:30pm (instead of 4-5pm)
  • Mountview 5:30-6:30 pm - Cancelled

Friday, April 24

  • Winona 11 am-Noon - Cancelled
  • Maplewood 2:30-4 pm - Cancelled

Tuesday, April 28

  • McMaster 3:30-4:30 pm - Cancelled

Wednesday, April 29

  • Swansea 10-10:30 am - Cancelled
  • Helen Detwiler 11 am-Noon - Cancelled
  • Warplane Museum 3-4 pm - Cancelled
Published:
Monday, March 16, 2026 - 10:15am
Sherwood Branch: Renovations

As of Monday, March 2, Sherwood Branch's 2nd floor is closed due to renovations. Makerspace, Children and Teen's collection are temporarily available on the 1st floor. All programs will be held in the basement program room. Renovations are expected to be completed in late Spring. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm

Woodhouse Collection - Listing of Volumes 1-8

#8-1

Mr. Merrilees.

Wood-burning locomotive about 1877. H & NW Ry. Hamilton - Barrie

Front: left to right: 1.---; 2.---; 3.---; 4. James Hanes, Conductor, died 1923,

later in charge of G.T.R. yards Cannon & Ferguson; 5.---; 6. John Oneil, Engineer,

later was first engineer on Dundas Dummy.

In cab: left to right: 1.---; 2.---

 

#8-2

 

#8-3

Woodley Farm now Dundas Golf Club

About 1900

 

#8-4

 

#8-5

About 1905

 

#8-6

Accident on the Canada Great Western Railway, near Dundas

at Cramer's Lane, Apr. 1859

 

#8-7

T.H.&B. over H. & D. - Aberdeen Ave.

1896

Mr. Merrilees. maybe Dummy #2

 

#8-8

Sydenham Ravine Bridge in the days of the single track

C.N.R. bridge at Sydenham Creek about 1895

Note single track

 

#8-9

1895=The first T.H. & B. Trestle at Binkley's Hollow fell down

Jan. 9, 1895 while erecting another "A" frame, tie beams near the

Hamilton end split at the bolts and the whole structure collapsed.

3 men were badly hurt. T.H. & B. Ry Trestle at Binkley's Hollow.

 

#8-10

1895

T.H. & B. at Binkley's Hollow

 

#8-11

T.H. & B.

1895=The Binkley's Hollow Trestle was rebuilt after falling down

The Binkley's Hollow Bridge was rebuilt May 2, 1895

Today it is an earth fill

 

#8-12

May 1895.

The Ancaster Creek will flow through this culvert at Binkley's

 

#8-13

June 1895

The culvert finished the earth fill for the embankment is started

 

#8-14

 

#8-15

Hamilton & Dundas Railway Station, Dundas

NW corner Hatt & Foundry St.

left: 1st type of car; right: 2nd type of car

Dummy #2 about 1882.

People from left to right: George Holden, Joe Sweet - conductor, George C. Holden, J. Weatherston, C.J. Myles - lessor of the railway, Wyck Harrison - conductor, Jas. Sturrock - master mechanic, Len Nichol, Harry Nichol, P. Bird - engineer, John O'Neil - engineer, Eddie Kelk - clerk, John Healey, Pete Gallagher, The man leaning against the car and the man on the steps are unknown

 

#8-16

Note the tar sidewalk in front of skating rink - lower right

burned hard coal - no smoke - quiet

#1 & 2 condemned 1896 and #4 ordered

 

#8-17

Dummy #4 - The Last. The only one with twin cylinders. New car #20 The 3rd & last type

The car was originally #20, then #220, then #181. it finished up as a chicken coop.

Dummy #4 was used for stringing trolley wire on the Grand River Ry at Preston on the (then) Preston & Berlin Ry. It was later sold to John B. SMith & Sons, Ltd. lumber mfrs., Callander?, or to the South Western Traction Co (London - Pt. Stanley. maybe to both. In 1906 it was sold to Booth??

Dummies #3 & 4 crashed together Oct. 9, 1897 near the marsh x #3 was smashed, but Chas Sturrock rebuilt it. #3 sold in Mar 1899 to C. Beck Co Ltd. of Penetanguishene lumber dealers. used there for 25 years until 1924, then blocked up on ties near the mill at Penetanguishene. Total life 45 years. 1/2 million miles

from left to right: Nathan MacPherson, freight clerk;...;son of Jim Sturrock; Billy McDonnell, Eng'r & Cond'r 50 years; Hell Fire Jack Platt; Tom Newell = on back of car. Sect. Foreman operated gravel train, etc.; Jack Campbell son of Porky; John Bertram; John Fry; William Hall; unknown boys & in doorway Wick Harrison - cond'r; Mark B. Thomas, agent for lessees;---;---;Harry Perkins; Bill Norton; W.F." Porky" Campbell; Dan McIntosh behind the 7 boys; seven boys at right unknown

 

#8-18

#1 Dummy - 1879 - in the factory of the

Fulton Works, Philadelphia, Pa.

 

#8-19

[Dummy]

 

#8-20

Dummy #4

1. ---; 2.---; 3. Frank Nelson; 4. Bill Sheehan; 5. Alex Crooks; 6. John Fry; 7. Mark B. Thomas; 8. Louie (Lewis) Johnson; 9. Bill McDonald (Wm Alex) for 50 years Engr & Cond'r; 10. Tom Newell; 11. Wick Harrison; 12. Eddie Kelk; 13. Porky Campbell (Wm); 14. Charlie Brady says "I think that is me" Edick?

 

#8-21

[Hamilton & Dundas Street Railway]

 

#8-22

Dummy #4 with second type of cars

 

#8-23

Dec. 6, 1911

 

#8-24

Dec. 6, 1911

 

#8-25

The old Order changeth, 'tis true

But the Competition is keen.

Is this unfair competition at the

Half Way House?

Bus vs. Radials. Jim Grightmire started bus line

in Aug. 1923

 

#8-26

Ancaster

not a Canada Coach Line Bus

 

#8-27

Main St. W. Hamilton at West Hamilton

The Hamilton-Dundas Railway meets competition from

Jim Grightmire's Bluejay bus line,

Ham - Dund, 1922. Who's trying to put whom out of business

 

#8-28

1891

Just east of Sydenham Road Bridge

 

#8-29

1891

Just east of Sydenham Road Bridge

 

#8-30

1891

Just east of Sydenham Road Bridge

 

#8-31

 

#8-32

Master H.H. Pirie and his bicycle - the 1st "boneshaker" in Dundas

Niblett druggist had first

H. Pirie with the first "boneshaker" in Dundas

 

#8-33

Family Carriage of Hugh Moore

Dundas Grocer

1838-1882

 

#8-34

Archie Sturrock built this at Pt.Huron from Parts

& brought to Dundas

 

#8-35

Chas Spasking's Rambler. 1st car in Dundas. Sold 6-1905 to W.E.S. Knowles

 

#8-36

Entrance to Dundas Driving Park.

Dick Hyde, caretaker

 

#8-37

Dundas Fair at the Driving Park about 1898

[same as #5-14]

 

#8-38

Hindoo Koosh Picnic

1922

 

#8-39

 

#8-40

The log cabin is the "wigwam" formerly the property of

the Khan, moved here by Wm Lawson & G.C. Wilson

 

#8-41

 

#8-42

 

#8-43

 

#8-44

 

#8-45

 

#8-46

 

#8-47

Driving Park to Cemetery, Dundas

 

#8-48

 

#8-49

First movie theatre in Dundas. Memorial Square. 1909

Wonderland operated by Jack Sourbier. His son Herschel sang "illustrated songs"

Later this was brick veneered.

now John Forbes' Tinsmith Shop on west side of Memorial Square

The 1st movie in Dundas 1908-09

Sold to Thomas E. & Edward Paling

 

#8-50

Scarlet Fever Isolation Hospital. 1903.

Below the hill on the old Ancaster Road

Forsythe, Dundas (photographer)

Deaths: Tom McLaughlin; (Loveday) ---McLaughlin; ?Jim Visheau; Miss ____ Cochenour dau of Tom; ?Jack Wyckman lost 3 sisters did not die

1. Richard Hyde; 2. Mr. McLaughlin? caretaker; 3. Chief of Police Twiss; 4. Miss McLaughlin, dau of caretaker; 5. Nurse Hamilton (came here from Hamilton); 6. Wm Lawson, Mayor.