Celebrate Your Community – Ancaster

Ancaster
Small town charm, beautiful surroundings and upscale neighbourhoods have attracted people to Ancaster since 1792. Today, the historic and picturesque village core – loaded with heritage buildings and homes – remains its primary point of interest.

Population:  33,232 (2006)

Geographic location:  Southwest of  the old city of Hamilton proper (with which Ancaster amalgamated in 2001).

Boundaries:
North – Governors Road; East –City Limits; South – Glancaster Road; West – City Limits

Historical facts:

• Ancaster was originally founded by Richard Beasley, a businessman and fur trader, and James Wilson, a millwright.  The two men built a gristmill (now the Ancaster Old Mill Inn) in 1791 and a sawmill in 1792.
• In the early days, Ancaster was known as Wilson’s Mills.
• By 1795 the village was the largest in Ancaster Township.
• The name of the village was changed to Ancaster by Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe who was apparently inspired by Peregrine Bertie, the third Duke of Ancaster.

Annual events:

• Ancaster Heritage Days – five-day event (June)
• Ancaster Festival of Friends – three-day event (August)
• Ancaster Old Mill Race (June)
• Ancaster Fair – 4 day event (September)

Places of interest:

• The Hermitage, built in 1830 by Reverend George Sheed is known as one of the area’s most haunted sites.
  It is included in local ghost tours run throughout the summer.  www.hauntedhamilton.com
• Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum showcases local history, including the community’s participation in the Underground Railway.  www.hamilton.ca
• The Bruce Trail winds its way through Ancaster and offers four seasons’ recreation for walkers, cyclists, horse riders, snowshoers and cross country skiers.
• Hamilton Golf & Country Club (www.hgcc.ca)

Sources: Wikepedia; The Hamilton Spectator
Photos: Lucille Riddell and Laura Doucette

________________________________________________________________________