1886 - Ainslie's Wood

The creation of both the Hamilton and Dundas Street Railway and the public park known as Ainslie Wood was a co-ordinated effort. While the street railway certainly served commuters and was used to transport goods between the Ambitious City and the Valley Town, the place of amusement, Ainslie Wood, would not have been created without the railway to bring paying attendees to it.

On Saturday May 15, 1886, Ainslie Wood opened for the season, prompting the following article which appeared in the Hamilton Spectator of May 17, 1886:

“About 200 people went to Ainslie Wood Saturday afternoon by the Hamilton and Dundas street railway. But for the threatening state of the weather, and the heavy rains of the previous night, the opening doubtless would have been an auspicious one. Those who went out seemed to enjoy themselves very much. The wood this season looks exceedingly well, and will doubtless be as popular as ever.

“A game of baseball between two junior teams, one representing the southeast of the city, and one the southwest, afforded plenty of amusement for a good many boys who went out. In the evening about 150 people went out and enjoyed two or three hours’ dancing, a string band in attendance.”