| BOOK REVIEW |
| TO RETURN TO THE BOOK REVIEW INDEX, |
| CONCESSION STREET: IN CONTEXT A Chronological History of the Concession Street District Hamilton, Ontario By Jerry Johansen Book Review by Diane Wells |
 |
 |
| The City of Hamilton (Ontario) Public Works (Community Renewal) Department assigned the writing of this reference book to Mr. Johansen, a municipal employee then, and this year coincidentally celebrates the 10th anniversary of its first publishing, as well as the City�s 30th anniversary of incorporation into the Hamilton-Wentworth Region in 1974. I would recommend that any newcomer to the Hamilton area (and Canada, in general) read this book, especially those, like me, who often �switched off� in history class while the War of 1812 (or any other war, for that matter) was being recounted. It is written in a concise, factual manner (with pictorial accompaniment) and, at approximately 100 pages, is an easy read. In the introductory chapter, Mr. Johansen offers a basic but comprehensive background chronicling the British Loyalist migration to Canada and the Crown�s subsequent purchase of land from the Mississauga and Mohawk Indian Nations (under the leadership of Chief Joseph Brant). Former Pennsylvanian colonist Jacob Burkholder�s acquisition of 800 acres of this Crown land, near what is now Upper Sherman Avenue and Mohawk Road, made him the first pioneer with not simply a plan, but an obligation, to develop that portion of the Mountain in exchange for the property. He built the Masonic Hall on Concession Street in 1910. Along with Mr. Burkholder, the majority of the agriculturally-inclined refugees originated from the Rhine Valley and was of Swiss, German, Dutch and French extraction. Those of British origin mostly chose to settle below the mountain. The focus leans heavily on the political frictions occurring over the past few decades between the Concession Street Business Improvement Area and Hamilton City Council, especially regarding the development of Mountain access routes. There is also an interesting chapter on the theatre district, initiated by actor George Horatio Summers and his Mountain Park Theatre, erected in 1902, that would become just one of numerous commercial buildings that have fallen victim to the ravages of fire in the Hamilton area. Concession Street: In Context serves as a testimony to the courage and determination of its long-time residents and businesspeople to build a prosperous future for themselves and many more generations to come. Although their success has been ultimately curtailed by the appearance of large, vehicle-friendly malls, the street retains a strong sense of community, much like its ancestors who remained loyal to the Crown. The book can be borrowed through the Hamilton Public Library system or can be purchased at Mountain Bookstore (560 Concession Street), Hamilton, Ontario (905-385-6082). For more information on the book, contact Mr. Johansen at [email protected]. |
 |