HPL Catalogue and Online Resources Not Available - Sunday, July 19

Due to online maintenance, Members can not access HPL's catalogue, online services and resources on Sunday, July 19 from 5am-10am. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Published:
Monday, July 13, 2026 - 3:00pm
Cool Places - Heat Alert in Place

The Medical Officer of Health for the City of Hamilton has initiated a Heat Warning beginning today, Monday, July 13.  Heat Warnings stay in effect until they are cancelled or escalated to an Extended Heat Warning. All HPL Library locations are Cool Places. Stay hydrated, Hamilton. www.hpl.ca/hours

Published:
Monday, July 13, 2026 - 9:30am
Bookmobile Service Modification

Bookmobile Service Modifications 

Wed, July 15:              

  • Helen Detwiler Cancelled

Published:
Monday, July 13, 2026 - 8:00am
Express Items via OverDrive - Partner Libraries Update

As of July 1st, partner library Members can no longer borrow HPL Express items via Overdrive. More to Borrow partner libraries will be offering Lucky Express (Skip the line) titles to their cardholders only. This will help manage wait times for popular titles. Lucky Express is a collection of in demand titles with a seven-day loan period, available with no wait. 

Our partners will still be able to borrow titles from the rest of our collection. 
www.hpl.ca/more-to-borrow

Published:
Monday, July 6, 2026 - 10:00am
What's Happening Guide Changes

The What's Happening Guide has been retired and replaced with different communications channels and tactics. You can find the new Summer Reading Flyer here. Watch for future communications updates.

Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 3:00pm
Sunday Hours Return to Central Library

Sunday hours return to Central Library. Beginning July 5, Central is open Noon to 5pm. Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown branches are also open Sundays, 1 to 5pm. hpl.ca/hours

Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 1:00pm
Study Halls Pause for Summer Break

After Hours Study Hall is not available in July and August. Hours will resume Tuesday, September 8. www.hpl.ca/study-halls

Published:
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:00pm

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.