“The Brant House is the name of a new summer hotel
located at Wellington Square, upon the Simcoe Kerr estate, which, as our
citizens are aware, is one of the finest sites for such an enterprise to be
found in the country.”
Hamilton Spectator May
22, 1876
Across the harbor from the city of Hamilton, in the
north east corner of Burlington Bay, a new location for picnics and other
enjoyments was nearing completion on May 22, 1876.
The Brant House would soon be one of the favourite
destinations for Hamiltonians wishing to escape the city for the day:
“The necessary wharves are in course of construction for
the accommodation of pleasure steamer, yachts, etc., and such enlargements and
additions to the existing buildings are being made as will afford ample
accommodation for pleasure seekers. The grounds are extensive and beautiful,
the air pure, the means of access cheap and plentiful, and the additional
attraction is furnished by the historic interest attached to the former council
ground and burial place of the great Brant. The house bids fair to be a
powerful competitor for public favour.” To promote passenger traffic to the
Brant House as well as locations on the Beach Strip, the owners of two steamers
provided free rides on May 20, 1876:
“On Saturday afternoon, the pleasure steamers the
Florence and Transit made a free trip to the Beach, carrying passengers. There
was a large crowd on board and all seemed to enjoy the trip. The Transit made
to the Beach from her wharf in thirty minutes, and ran very smoothly.”
With only two days before the Queen’s Birthday, one of
the most anticipated holidays of the year, many individuals were hard at work
to make sure that all was ready for the holiday celebrations to take place in
the city’s west end:
“Extensive preparations have been made by the St.
George’s Society for their annual games at the Crystal Palace on Wednesday, and
no trouble or expense has been spared to make the demonstration a complete
success. In addition to the programme of games, there will be a new and
interesting feature this year – a baby show – at which several handsome prizes
will be given. The band of the 13th Batt. will be in attendance
during the day, and there will also facilities afforded for dancing. Altogether
it may be safely assumed that, should the day prove favourable, there will be a
gay time at the Crystal Palace grounds on Wednesday.”
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