Burlington, Ontario ... Part II

Description of a 1917 Town

The lakeside town on the new highway is an incorporated town

of 2,600 population situated in Halton Country on the shores of

Lake Ontario, nine miles from Hamilton,16 miles from Milton

(county seat) and 32 miles from Toronto.  It was incorporated

as a village in 1872 and became a town in 1915.

Burlington has first class railway facilities.  It is on the Grand Trunk Railway (GTR)

and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).  The Hamilton Radial Line from Hamilton

to Oakville passes through town, making half-hourly trips in summer
and every hour in the winter.

Chief industries comprise lumber, saw and planning mills,

canning factory, fruit packages, machine shops, carriages,

wagons, creamery, fruit growing, fruit evaporator, flour mill

and mixed farming.

The town contains a number of fine churches

(nearly all denominations), high and public schools,

Carnegie library of over 4,000 volumes. 

Burlington owns its own waterworks system;

light and power is furnished by the Cataract Power Company.

The town is installing a first-class sewage system now in course of construction.

Burlington has one of the best volunteer fire brigades in Ontario...divided into

three companies...Central, East and West...comprising 36 men. The fire equipment

is the most modern.  Additional apparatus was purchased by the town in September

of 1916, consisting of one motor combination chemical and hose truck of two-ton

capacity at a cost of $4,855.

First-class banking facilities can be obtained, branches of the Royal Bank of Canada

and Bank of Hamilton being located here, as well as excellent telephone, telegraph

and express services.

The press is ably represented by The Burlington Gazette, Mr. Elgin A. Harris,

editor and proprietor.  It was established in 1899.  It is an eight-page, six

column paper, independent, issued every Wednesday, and enjoys a wide

circulation, covering this and surrounding counties.  Job printing  of all

kinds is neatly executed.

Burlington merchants and business  men are progressive and successful.

The shops and stores are scenes of bustle and business activity.  Every

year witnesses the erection of new business blocks and private residences.

The total absence of marsh land, the sanitary conditions  which prevail,

the exhilarating breezes  from the lake and the few sudden climatic changes

gives a  healthful and invigorating tone to the whole atmosphere of the place.

The country tributary to Burlington is one of the most fertile and prosperous

in the province.  The farms are well-cleared, well-tilled and present every

appearance of thrift and happiness.

Its location and environments are such as to facilitate its commercial prosperity

and render a steady and permanent growth.

An Excellent Place to Locate and Reside

There is room for many various lines of industry that have not yet been overtaken.

To manufacturers or business men who are casting about for new localities, a

respectful consideration is asked for Burlington's claims.

Taking Burlington in general it should be an excellent  place to locate and reside.

Beautiful drives, good roads for motoring, boating, bathing, fishing and all kinds

of outdoor sports are indulged in.

There are good stores of all kinds where the commodities of life can be purchased

at reasonable prices.

First class sites, exempt from taxes, excellent power facilities at very cheap rates

are offered to manufacturers or others who wish to locate here.

For further particulars kindly write to the mayor, town clerk or councilors.

They will be pleased  to give all desired information to prospective citizens.

(The foregoing from...The Burlington Historical Society)

This is now 97 years later from its town inception…and is recognized 
as a prosperous City with a population of approximately 176,000. Burlington is 
research-classified as one of the finest in Ontario (perhaps in Canada) in which
 to reside, to work and to play. The city proclaims:    
                                A mix of middle to upper incomes

                                A mix of commercial and light industrial businesses

                                Many mature trees and numerous parks

                                Recreational and educational programs for all ages

                                Beauty of the surrounding Niagara Escarpment, Lake Ontario

                                and Burlington Bay.  The Skyway Bridge invites lake

                                freighters and ocean going vessels to visit Hamilton’s busy

                                harbour before plying their cargos to other cities along

                                The Great Lakes via the Welland Canal (a series of locks

                                lifting these ships from the Lake Ontario level to Lake Erie).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Pearls of Wisdom”

A wise man learns by the mistakes of others;

a fool by his own.

(Latin Proverb)

You've got to stay alive

to stay in the game.

(James Patterson from his novel Cross Country)

Failure will not overcome me,

if my determination to succeed is strong enough.

(Italian author)

Merle Baird-Kerr . . . composed April 24, 2012

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