Then and Now Hamilton

Then and Now Hamilton

In 2021, Ryan Moran began a project to “shine a light on bad developments and planning policies that have allowed for the proliferation of empty lots or other unconstructive developments in the city.”

This meant showcasing locations throughout downtown Hamilton where there are vacant, empty, or misused parcels of land and, using a before and after photo technique, demonstrating what used to occupy that space. The before and after picture sets below are an ongoing archive of Ryan’s work and will be kept up to date as long as he is producing this series.

Important – Slide the vertical bar either left or right to see the then and now shots. The then and now shots below are organized from most to least recent.

E.C. Gurney Foundry / John Rebecca Park – July 29, 2021

E.C. Gurney was the largest stove manufacturer in Canada, their foundry and cast iron stove company Starting in Hamilton in 1843 at the corner of John Street North and Rebecca Street; the majority was demolished by the early 1970s; The only portion remaining is the building formerly used as a Spectator garage that now houses 77, Dirty Dogs and the Underground

E.C. Gurney was the largest stove manufacturer in Canada, their foundry and cast iron stove company Starting in Hamilton in 1843 at the corner of John Street North and Rebecca Street; the majority was demolished by the early 1970s; The only portion remaining is the building formerly used as a Spectator garage that now houses 77, Dirty Dogs and the Underground

Eaton’s Knitting Mill / Parking Lot – May 20, 2021

Eaton’s Knitting Mill At the corners of Rebecca Street and John Street north; was brought down (not sure when) but it was certainly there for the majority of the 20th century (this illustration from a 1925 postcard)

Eaton’s Knitting Mill At the corners of Rebecca Street and John Street north; was brought down (not sure when) but it was certainly there for the majority of the 20th century (this illustration from a 1925 postcard)

Wesley United Church / Parking Lot – May 13, 2021

WEsley United Church At the corners of Rebecca Street and John Street north; Built in 1841, the church was the site of community organizing and activism that eventually led to the formation of Wesley Urban Ministries and the eventual demolition of the declining church

WEsley United Church At the corners of Rebecca Street and John Street north; Built in 1841, the church was the site of community organizing and activism that eventually led to the formation of Wesley Urban Ministries and the eventual demolition of the declining church

Grafton’s Clothing / Parking Lot – May 6, 2021

Grafton’s clothing, built in 1918 after the original (1895) burned down, Both couldn’t keep up when Jackson Square opened, with Grafton’s closing in 1973; It’s been a parking lot since at least the late 80s

Grafton’s clothing, built in 1918 after the original (1895) burned down, Both couldn’t keep up when Jackson Square opened, with Grafton’s closing in 1973; It’s been a parking lot since at least the late 80s

National Trust Company / Parking Lot – April 22, 2021

The National Trust Company had a branch at this site since the early 20th century; this specific building was built in 1955 and demolished in the late 1980s for yet another parking lot

The National Trust Company had a branch at this site since the early 20th century; this specific building was built in 1955 and demolished in the late 1980s for yet another parking lot

Buildings adjacent to the The Royal Connaught / Parking Lot – April 15, 2021

These buildings were likely demolished in the early 60s or late 50s and were the former site of the McPherson Glass Company and some local wholesale grocers (according to the City’s fire insurance maps), the area has been a parking lot even since, but will soon be redeveloped

These buildings were likely demolished in the early 60s or late 50s and were the former site of the McPherson Glass Company and some local wholesale grocers (according to the City’s fire insurance maps), the area has been a parking lot even since, but will soon be redeveloped

Toronto Dominion Bank and Imperial Bank of Canada / Parking Lot – April 8, 2021 and April 1, 2021

After The Toronto Dominion and Imperial Bank of Canada (IBC) buildings were demolished in 1959 (see below), IBC built a modern building on the same site in 1960; A year later, IBC merged with the Canadian Bank of Commerce to become the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC); eventually, CIBC built modern offices across the street and demolished this building (in the 80s or 90s)

After The Toronto Dominion and Imperial Bank of Canada (IBC) buildings were demolished in 1959 (see below), IBC built a modern building on the same site in 1960; A year later, IBC merged with the Canadian Bank of Commerce to become the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC); eventually, CIBC built modern offices across the street and demolished this building (in the 80s or 90s)

Former Toronto-Dominion Bank (1913) and Imperial Bank of Canada (1899) buildings on James Street South between King Street and Main Street, demolished in 1959; now mostly a parking lot

Former Toronto-Dominion Bank (1913) and Imperial Bank of Canada (1899) buildings on James Street South between King Street and Main Street, demolished in 1959; now mostly a parking lot

Wentworth Arms Hotel / Parking Lot – March 25, 2021

Former Wentworth Arms Hotel (built in the early 1900s), destroyed by a fire in 1976 where there is now a parking lot

Former Wentworth Arms Hotel (built in the early 1900s), destroyed by a fire in 1976 where there is now a parking lot

Royal Hotel / Hamilton City Centre Mall – March 18, 2021

Former Royal Hotel (1857-1935), which was destroyed in a fire, at James Street North and (former) Merrick Street where the Hamilton City Centre Mall is located (Built in 1990 and originally known as the Hamilton Eaton Centre)

Former Royal Hotel (1857-1935), which was destroyed in a fire, at James Street North and (former) Merrick Street where the Hamilton City Centre Mall is located (Built in 1990 and originally known as the Hamilton Eaton Centre)

Grand Opera / Centre Point Plaza – March 11, 2021

Former Grand Opera and hotel (later “the Grand”, then “the Granada”, and then the “Downtown”) on James Street North where the current Centre Point Plaza is located

Former Grand Opera and hotel (later “the Grand”, then “the Granada”, and then the “Downtown”) on James Street North where the current Centre Point Plaza is located

Tivoli Theatre Building / Vacant Lot – March 4, 2021

Former TivolI theatre building on James Street North where there is now a vacant lot

Former TivolI theatre building on James Street North where there is now a vacant lot

Zeller’s / Jackson Square February 25, 2021

Former Zellers Department Store at the Corner of King William Street and James Street North where there is now a surface parking lot

Former Zellers Department Store at the Corner of King William Street and James Street North where there is now a surface parking lot

Century Theatre / Vacant Lot – February 18, 2021

former Century (Lyric) Theatre on Mary Street between KIng Street East and King William Street where there is now a vacant lot

former Century (Lyric) Theatre on Mary Street between KIng Street East and King William Street where there is now a vacant lot

Gore Park – February 11, 2021

Former Honey Dew Coffee Shop and Other Retail Establishments where ongoing development has been stalled for decades

Former Honey Dew Coffee Shop and Other Retail Establishments where ongoing development has been stalled for decades

King & James Streets / Jackson Square – February 4, 2021

Former Multi-Level business where the KIng Street & James Street entrance to Jackson Square is in 2021

Former Multi-Level business where the KIng Street & James Street entrance to Jackson Square is in 2021

Robinson’s / James Street South – January 28, 2021

Former Robinson’s Department Store on James Street South Close to King Street East

Former Robinson’s Department Store on James Street South Close to King Street East

Another, more recent, view of the Former Robinson’s Department Store on James Street South Close to King Street East

Another, more recent, view of the Former Robinson’s Department Store on James Street South Close to King Street East

Source – Ongoing social media posts by Ryan Moran