Over time, settlers favoured the simple, descriptive term "The Mountain". It became Hamilton’s own name for the Escarpment. It was a sought after place for clean air and relaxed living as Hamilton began to grow in the 1840s and was described as "sometimes curtained with a hazy mist".

Additionally, in a journal from 1793 by Major EB Littlehales, he describes "The Mountain" as being "considered as a branch of the Alleghany," which is a mountain range in West Virginia, suggesting the name was already in common vernacular.

In 1793, Simcoe wrote instructions to Augustus Jones (brother of Mary Gage, of Stoney Creek Battlefield House) to survey a route from Dundas to London. In his instructions he wrote to "proceed immediately to Burlington Bay... which falls from the mountain".

In 1792, in honour of Guy Carleton, 1st Baron of Dorchester and Governor General of Quebec, John Simcoe named the escarpment "Mount Dorchester" by Royal Proclamation. Simcoe had much disdain for Carleton, though despite limited experience, Carleton was very influential in colonial administration.

Before European settlement, Indigenous nations had names that captured the Mountain's greatness. In Anishinaabemowin, it was Gchi-Bimadinaa, which means "The Great Cliff That Runs Along" and in Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawk), it was Kastenhraktátye, meaning "Along the Cliffs."

Downtowners also won awards of Excellence for Passive Modular Housing (257 King William Street), The Chelsea (24 Augusta Street) and 106 Bay Street North (CityHousing Hamilton) won a Chief Planner Award. Congratulations to everyone, including those with honourable mention.

Downtown was represented in every major category and took home awards of Merit for Woodgate (King William Street), All Our Relations (James Street North), The Bridge (131 Wellington Street North), Magnolia Hall, 1 Jarvis Street, and the King John Buildings (Gore Park).

One argument against this motion was a worry about "sending the wrong message" to our development partner. That didn't track for me as City staff literally said they were already having these conversations with them. And we should always be willing to have difficult conversations in hard times.

This is public land and it's up to us. With a current project plan that identifies only 5% affordable housing, we should see what's possible. I appreciate Councillor Cassar's support and I'll be raising this again as it goes up the chain to Council. Hopefully it will get more support in the future.

At a time when we need more affordable housing, when for profit projects are stalling and being cancelled, and when affordable housing providers continue to deliver, exploring these options makes sense, especially with Council saying we should do everything we can to address affordability.

I've already received feedback from teachers, students, and principals about the event. While everyone loved getting to interact with City staff in the forecourt, most said their favourite part was getting to make decisions in Council Chambers. Future leaders were definitely among us!

Thank you, so much, to staff from Public Works, especially Transportation and Waste Management staff, the Hamilton Fire Department, Hamilton Paramedic Service, and the Hamilton Street Railway. Everyone was so grateful for the knowledge you shared and the passion you showed for the work you do.

Students and teachers selected a representative from each of the Grade 5 classes to sit in the horseshoe and debate topics relevant to schools. After each vote, representatives got immediate feedback from their peers on whether or not they agreed with their decision. Sometimes they didn't!

In 1894, all the graves were moved to the Hamilton Cemetery except for Dr. Case's. For decades, ghost stories lingered. In the 50s some prominent Hamiltonians confessed to prying open his stone coffin in search of bones or ghosts, but they found, to their surprise, emptiness inside!

In the 1860s, James Jolley built his pathway down the escarpment to bypass the main toll road. After some upgrades, he passed it over to the city, stipulating that it be kept in good condition and keep his name. The Jolley Cut's turn curved tightly around the graveyard.

George Hamilton purchased the Durand farm and graveyard, allowing friends to be interred there. Dr. William Case, Hamilton’s beloved physician, was laid to rest here. At his funeral, clear skies quickly turned to a torrential downpour that scattered mourners, leaving the coffin exposed.

The first burial was the wife of Captain Durand, who died tragically in 1805 after being thrown from a carriage while the family was moving to Hamilton. Her remains were later moved to Ancaster, but the small burial ground remained.