“It is many years since the sand flies have been so
numerous at the Beach and along the Bay. They are commencing to disappear, and
will soon give way to mosquitos.”
Hamilton
Spectator May 31, 1876
It was a sure sign that spring was well underway and
summer was coming on soon. Sandflies were making life miserable down along the
Beach Strip, with the appearance of mosquitoes soon to follow.
At least two fellows didn’t let the sand fly problem
interfere with their day at the Beach:
“Mr.
Reginald and Mr. Alexander Gourlay yesterday, at the Beach, succeeded between 7
a.m. and 4 p.m., in bagging 86 plover.”
Back in the city, the Hamilton boys of summer, the
Standards Baseball team, were about to play an exhibition game against a crack
squad from the Forest City, the Tecumsehs:
“On Friday afternoon, the plucky champion base ballists of
this city – the Standards – will play the Tecumsehs of London on the Palace
grounds. It is hardly expected that the Standards will come off victorious, as
they are matched against a club of long standing, and one which beat the Maple
Leafs, of Guelph, on the Queen’s Birthday. However, the Standards will make it
hot for their opponents, as their practice games are very good. The match
commences at 3 o’clock. The admission price is 25 cts”.
The immediate Hamilton area had new pleasure resort
destinations around the bay opened in early 1876. One older resort the grounds
and hotel at Rock Bay had been eclipsed, but the Spectator made a plea for its
continued place as an area were Hamiltonians could escape from city life:
“ Every dog must have its day and so it is with a place of
resort. Rock Bay, once the favourite retreat of our cousins, has now given way
to larger and more fashionable grounds at the Beach and Wellington Square. The
name is omitted from the places at which the pleasure steamers touch, and
boatmen tell us that but few row boats or yachts are hired for that point.
Still the grounds are quite as beautiful as before, and will be found a
delightful retreat for quiet picnic parties.”
The same issue of the Spectator, appearing on May 31,
1876 contained a good example of the kind of city living problems that would
readily prompt a trip across the bay to a place with fresh air and quiet:
“Charles street should be watered for the sake of the
people residing or doing business on King street between Park and Macnab.
Charles street terminates on the south side of King street, and the clouds of
dust blown off Charles street are dashed against the opposite houses on King, and
diverted up and down the street. Citizens in that neighbourhood complain
bitterly of this and ask the Corporation to have the street watered through the
summer.”
Another hassle of city living was also noted in that
same issue:
“Some one,
wishing to get rid of his superfluous shrubbery, has cut down two large bushy
spruce and thrown them into Maiden Lane near Wellington street. They are a
nuisance, especially at night when spirited horses are apt to take fright at
them. A number of runways have already occurred, and the Board of Works should
see that they are removed else serious accidents may happen.”
A store
owner on Macnab street had just introduced for sale a new item which might be
just the thing for those suffering from the stresses of the noisy, dusty city
of Hamilton at the end of May, 1876:
“The Bordeaux Head Bath is a new invention by which the head is
treated to a violent shower bath. It is very healthy and refreshing, and it is
meant for those who suffer from headaches or lack of sleep. It is better than a
“horn” to a man in the morning who wants to be thoroughly wakened up. One of
them has been placed in Breimer’s store, Macnab street, a few doors below King,
for trial, where it can be seen by parties wishing to use it.”
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