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

Former Dominion Public Building

1935-6

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 23, 2023

1. Former Dominion Public Building Marker

Inscription.
Architect: Hutton and Souter
Hamilton's main post office, renovated and expanded for the new Hamilton Courthouse by the Province of Ontario, 1999
Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act

Erected by City of Hamilton.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Communications. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.

Location. 43° 15.337′ N, 79° 52.017′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Ontario. It is in Beasley. It is at the intersection of King Street East and John Street South, on the left when traveling west on King Street East. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hamilton ON L8N 1A6, 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

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Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The City of Hamilton Cenotaph (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir John Morison Gibson (within shouting distance of this marker); George Hamilton 1787-1836 (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Right House (now Park Place) (about 120 meters away); The United Empire Loyalists (about 150 meters away); The First Telephone Exchange in the British Empire (about 210 meters away); Pigott Building (about 210 meters away); 47 James Street South (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.

Also see . . . Paul Wilson: No one sees downtown Hamilton’s most beautiful room (Hamilton Spectator).

The Depression was on and Ottawa came up with the Dominion Government Construction Programme of Recovery. They decided Hamilton would get a new post office, with space too for customs, marine, agriculture, immigration and tax offices.

In September of 1936, the new $1.6 million Dominion Public Building opened to the public. The Spectator declared it was “probably the finest structure of
Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 23, 2024

2. Former Dominion Public Building Marker
Marker is on the right of the entrance
its type in the Dominion, and is the admiration of everyone who enters it.”

The paper made a prediction that proved to be true: “The descendants of the generations alive today will be impressed by the manner in which the present blended artistic dignity, simplicity and taste with efficiency.”

(Submitted on December 3, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Old Post Office (1886-1935), formerly on the site of the Dominion Public Building image. Click for full size.

3. Old Post Office (1886-1935), formerly on the site of the Dominion Public Building

Source: Hamilton Public Library (public domain)

Postcard of the Dominion Public Building, 1935 image. Click for full size.

4. Postcard of the Dominion Public Building, 1935

Source: Hamilton Public Library (public domain)

John Sopinka Courthouse (former Dominion Public Building) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, January 15, 2023

5. John Sopinka Courthouse (former Dominion Public Building)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 3, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.