Kirkendall in Hamilton, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The H.A.A.A. Grounds

Photographed by Tim Boyd

1. The H.A.A.A. Grounds Marker

Inscription.
The original 1874 plans for this six and one-half acre site, owned by the Hamilton Cricket Club, Included an eight-foot board fence, a dining room, dressing room and grandstand. In addition to cricket, lacrosse and rugby football were played here. Immediately to the north was one of Hamilton's earliest steeplechase courses. In 1910, the Tiger Rugby Club announced its amalgamation with the Cricket Club and intention to purchase an interest in the property. This led to the formation of the Hamilton Amateur Athletic Association (H.A.A.A.). By October 1910, a new steel grandstand, which seated 2,318, had been constructed on the west side of the field. The Grey Cup game was played here in October of that year. Between 1910 and 1935, Hamilton teams won 4 of 7 Grey Cup games played here. The grandstand, which was destroyed by a spectacular fire on 27 September 1927, was subsequently rebuilt. In 1945, the City of Hamilton purchased the H.A.A.A. Grounds. The Hamilton Tigers played here until 1950, after which high school and junior football teams took over the facility. The H.A.A.A. Grounds is the oldest sports park in Hamilton.

Erected by City

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 43° 15.176′ N, 79° 53.063′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Ontario. It is in Kirkendall. It is at the intersection of Charlton Avenue West and Kent Street, on the right when traveling west on Charlton Avenue West. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hamilton ON L8P 2E4, Canada. Touch for directions.

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 Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hamilton Tigers Football Club Cenotaph (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Hamilton (about 210 meters

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 18, 2023

2. The H.A.A.A. Grounds Marker

away, measured in a direct line); Pearl Street Pedestrian Bridge (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); All Aboard! (approx. half a kilometer away); Central Presbyterian Church / L'Eglise Central Presbyterian (approx. half a kilometer away); Take a Ride on the Electric Railroad! (approx. half a kilometer away); Richard Beasley (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); “Pinehurst” (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.

Also see . . . CFL Makes it a Banner Year for HAAA Grounds. Hamilton Spectator article on the relation of the HAAA Grounds to the Canadian Football League. (Submitted on April 19, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

The Cricket Ground (later H.A.A.A. Grounds) from a Bird’s Eye Map of Hamilton, 1876 image. Click for full size.

3. The Cricket Ground (later H.A.A.A. Grounds) from a Bird’s Eye Map of Hamilton, 1876

Source: McMaster University archives

The H.A.A.A. Grounds in 2019 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 3, 2019

4. The H.A.A.A. Grounds in 2019

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 538 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 19, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.