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

Gwyn Memorial Sundial 1927

Honours Prominent Dundas Couple - Stood at Ellen Osler Memorial Home

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 13, 2024

1. Gwyn Memorial Sundial 1927 Marker

Inscription. This sundial and compass was originally erected in 1927 on the grounds of the Ellen Osler Memorial Home at the southeast corner of Hatt and Ogilvie Streets. The Ellen Osler Home was founded in 1909 as a rest home for the elderly. It was named in honour of Mrs. Ellen Picton Osler (1806-1907), wife of Reverend Featherstone Osler and mother of ten children, including Sir William Osler, who went on to become a renowned physician and medical innovator.

The sundial itself is dedicated to Ellen Osler's daughter, Charlotte Osler Gwyn (1847-1925) and her husband Lieut-Col Herbert Charles Gwyn (1846-1926). Both had lived in Dundas since childhood, and had become prominent individuals in local life and politics. During his long career H. C. Gwyn founded the law firm of Osler & Gwyn with his brother-in-law B.B. Osler, commanded the local 77th Wentworth Regiment, and served as Mayor of Dundas from 1886-1887. The couple had nine children, one of whom, Major Charles Campbell Gwyn, was killed in action at Vimy Ridge on April 7, 1917.

Erected by Dundas Museum and Archives.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this

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topic list: Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 43° 16.086′ N, 79° 57.567′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Ontario. It is in Dundas. It is on Park Street West near Albert Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the grounds of the Dundas Museum and Archives. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 139 Park St West, Hamilton ON L9H 1X7, 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: Bertram Steam Hammer c. 1939 (here, next to this marker); Stone Carriage Step c. 1860 (a few steps from this marker); Punching and Shearing Machine c.1904 (within shouting

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 13, 2024

2. Gwyn Memorial Sundial 1927 Marker

distance of this marker); Boundary Stone of Richard Hatt c.1804 (within shouting distance of this marker); Dundas Doctor's Office c.1848 (within shouting distance of this marker); Dundas Cenotaph (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); 102nd Wentworth Field Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The 25-Pounder Gun/Howitzer (approx. 0.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.

Also see . . . Dundas Museum and Archives - about us. Website entry:

The Home was at the outset intended to house and assist elderly Protestants living on limited incomes, but eventually it served only women. The Osler family continued to contribute toward the cost of maintaining the building. The home was administered by both a board of men and women appointed from the community.

(Submitted on May 14, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Gwyn Memorial Sundial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 13, 2024

3. Gwyn Memorial Sundial

1907

4. Portrait of Ellen Picton Osler, 1907

Source: Dundas Museum (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 213 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 14, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.