Dundas in Hamilton, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Founding of Dundas
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 7, 2023
1. The Founding of Dundas Marker
THE FOUNDING OF DUNDAS
In 1793 Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe authorized a townplot in this vicinity at the then eastern terminus of Dundas Street. Its original name, "Coote's Paradise", was derived from that of the adjoining marsh, a haunt of waterfowl, and the favourite hunting ground of a Captain Thomas Coote. West of the townplot mills were built, which became the nucleus of a community known by 1801 as "Dundas Mills. The community's location at the head of navigation on Lake Ontario attracted settlers. About 1808 streets were laid out by Richard Hatt and William Hare. The village's growth was further stimulated by the completion in 1837 of the Desjardins Canal, and the Town of Dundas was incorporated in 1847.
Erected by the Ontario Heritage Foundation
Ministry of Culture and Recreation
Erected by The Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture and Recreation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.
Location. 43° 15.953′ N, 79° 56.673′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Ontario. It is in Dundas. It is at the intersection of East Street and
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe, in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area, and specifically in the Toronto Metropolitan Area. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The History of the Desjardins Canal (here, next to this marker); The History of the Turning Basin (a few steps from this marker); The Desjardins Canal (a few steps from this marker); Martha Cartmell and Toyo Eiwa Jogakuin (within shouting distance of this marker); Canadair CT-133 Silver Star (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Desjardins Canal (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Sir William Osler, Bart. (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Sir William Osler in Canada (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.
Also see . . . Dundas, Ontario. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 15, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional keywords. John Graves Simcoe
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 7, 2023
2. The Founding of Dundas Marker
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 7, 2023
3. The Founding of Dundas Marker (on the right)
1856
4. King Street in Dundas, 1856
Source: Dundas Museum archives
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 282 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 7, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
