City Life

Photo Tour: King and James

Jason walks down King Street and up James Street to find beauty and potential in Hamilton's much-maligned downtown core.

By Jason Leach
Published October 06, 2006

This issue, RTH presents a stroll through downtown Hamilton in our series of photo tours. Downtown Hamilton, much maligned in suburban circles and the local mainstream media, has many vibrant and unique neighbourhoods. Some are commercial/retail in nature, others are residential.

This tour will focus on our two main streets in the area around Gore Park - King and James.

Let me say it now and let me be clear: I love downtown Hamilton. Even with its warts. I really see potential to have a Montreal feel to our city centre with increased residential density and streets that favour local residents instead of cut-through, highway traffic and big rigs.

You'll probably notice some common themes in some of these pictures. They simply represent some of my favourite things about our urban core:

Future tours in downtown Hamilton will explore residential areas in Corktown, Beasley and Durand along with commercial districts in the ‘south side', King West/Hess and Cannon/Wilson/Barton.

The Photos

Reardons Deli, King William
Reardons Deli, King William

Treble Hall, John Street North
Treble Hall, John Street North

Walnut Street, between King and Main
Walnut Street, between King and Main

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

King Street East

James Street North

James Street North

James Street North

James Street North

James Street North

James Street North

James Street North

James Street North

James Street North

James Street North

Jackson Square
Jackson Square

Vasco de Gama – James Street North
Vasco de Gama

This dude asked me to take his pic, then kept looking away
This dude asked me to take his pic, then kept looking away

Lister
Lister

King and James

King and James

King and James

King and James, CIBC Towers
CIBC Towers

Gore Park

Gore Park

Gore Park

Gore Park

Jason Leach was born and raised in the Hammer and currently lives downtown with his wife and children. You can follow him on twitter.

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By Tim Jacobs (registered) | Posted October 06, 2006 at 11:40:13

Another tremendous photo essay, Jason. Truly a gorgeous city that is definitely turning things around. Thanks for the shots; I look forward to seeing more.

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By Mal (anonymous) | Posted October 18, 2006 at 13:20:52

I agree! Your photo essay is a breath of fresh air! I'll look forward to reviewing it again when there is 10 feet of snow on the ground and I long for the sun and fun of our great downtown! Many thanks, Jason!

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