Glanbrook is a community with small town character, a diversified economy and proximity to all the amenities of the big city.
Population: 15,293 (2006 census) This was a 25% increase from the 2001 census figure, making Glanbrook the fastest-growing area of Hamilton.
Geographic Location: Glanbrook is located just south of Hamilton Mountain between Hamilton and Caledonia.
Historical facts:
- The Township of Glanbrook (1974 – 2000) was formed when Glanford and Binbrook, two of Wentworth County’s original townships, amalgamated. The names Glanford and Binbook were a nod to Governor John Graves Simcoe’s native Lincolnshire, England.
- The townships were surveyed in the 1790s, and after being deforested by pioneer settlers, Glanbrook was suitable for grain cultivation and mixed agriculture.
- Dating back to the mid-1800’s, the townships of Binbrook and Glanford held annual agricultural fairs to showcase the produce of the many prosperous farms located throughout each township. The successor is the Binbrook Fall Fair, one of the oldest fall fairs in Canada.
- Binbrook was originally known as Hall’s Corners, named after Squire Hall. Hall’s general store contained the area’s first post office.
- In October 1940, an airport was built near the village of Mount Hope for use as a wartime air force training centre. After World War II, the Hamilton Aero Club took over two of the hangars. Gradually, until the early 1960’s, the Mount Hope Airport was transformed from a military to a public facility and, in 1998, was renamed John C. Munroe Airport, in recognition of the man who had been instrumental in making the facility a major international airport.
- In 2001 Glanbrook became part of the City of Hamilton. Communities that form the region of Glanbrook in RAHB’s district 53 include Binbrook, Elfrida, Glanford Station, Mount Hope, North Glanford, Sinclairville, and Woodburn.
Places of interest:
- Canadian Warplane Hertiage Museum features more than 40 aircraft, from vintage World War II aircraft to modern jets flown by Canadian military and civilians. warplane.com
- Binbrook Conservation Area is home to the Lake Niapenco reservoir, the largest inland lake in the Niagara Watershed. npca.ca/conservation-areas/binbrook/
- Binbrook Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning at the Binbrook Fairgrounds, 8 a.m. – noon, from mid-June until Thanksgiving. Find local produce, baked goods and more.
Annual Events:
- Binbrook Fair will be celebrating 160 years this year, September 12 – 14, 2014 at the Binbrook Fairgounds. binbrookfair.org
- Binbrook Country Home and Garden Show is held in early May each year at the Binbrook Fairgrounds, and features over 70 artisans and vendors.
Sources: Glanbrook Heritage Society, Wikipedia, HPL – Historical Glanbrook.