LaSalle 080123

LaSalle #080123

In 1915 this 57 acre parcel of land was purchased by the Hamilton Parks Board and called Wabasso Park. In 1926, to commemorate Sieur de La Salle's landing in the area the name was changed to La Salle Park. Today, the park is still owned by Hamilton with a lease agreement to Burlington, in which Burlington assumes all maintenance, operational, programming and management responsibilities for the park.

La Salle Park Pavilion was built by the City of Hamilton in the spring of 1917. The pavilion was designed in an age when community entertainment was at its height. Unfortunately, a fire completely destroyed the wood framed second floor of the building. The pavilion was rebuilt to its original architectural form in 1997 and once again stands proudly as a community landmark.

A History of La Salle Park

LaSalle Park is located on the north shore of Hamilton Harbour, in what is now the city of Burlington. This 55 acre park, originally named Wabasso Park, was purchased by the city of Hamilton in 1912.

Soon after the park was established a ferry service started running from downtown Hamilton to the park and in 1916 approximately 25,000 people crossed the harbour to visit the park. To accommodate the visitors arriving by ferry large docks were constructed.

The park had several features in addition to its scenic setting that attracted visitors. A pavilion, that was constructed in 1917, housed many dances, concerts and parties. A bath house, built in 1920, was available for those who wished to swim in the bay. There were numerous picnic tables, baseball diamonds and a refreshment stand for those who wished to enjoy summer outings away from the city.

A large memorial stone to commemorate the landing of the French explorer Rene Cavalier de la Salle in the area was erected in the park in 1923. In 1926 the Hamilton Parks Board decided to change the park's name from Wabasso to LaSalle, the name by which the park is still known today.

In the late 1920s the beach at LaSalle Park became less and less popular for swimming due to high levels of pollution in the harbour. Even though swimming was no longer desirable at the park people still flocked to the area to enjoy amusement park rides that had been set up by the LaSalle Park Company. This amusement park, which featured side shows, roller coasters and a Ferris wheel, was in operation from 1928-1938.

In the late 1940s the ferry service which had been running to the park since the mid 1910s was discontinued. The loss of this service was likely a result, rather than a cause, of the decline in popularity of the park since it could no longer offer a beach for bathing due to the pollution of the harbour by sewage and industrial waste. In addition the once busy bathhouse was destroyed by fire in 1935. Other park attractions, such as the amusement park, were also closed down and the park's pavilion was no longer used to house dances and concerts.

The park remained in a somewhat under used condition until quite recently. In 1991 the park pavilion was declared structurally unsound and was boarded up. A project to restore the pavilion to its original grandeur was initiated by the city of Burlington in 1993. On June 25, 1994 the pavilion was officially reopened only to be destroyed by a fire less than a year later, on May 19, 1995. Fortunately the city of Burlington was able to restore the pavilion a second time and it enjoyed a successful grand opening on February 14, 1997.

Early History

Originally called "Oaklands" a crown grant of 800 hectares granted to Lieutenant Alexander McDonnell in 1796.

William Applegarth purchased 360 hectares in 1809, who farmed and built homes.

A pier was built around 1840 to accommodate travel to and from locations on Lake Ontario.

Property bought by Charles Davidson in 1872. Gate house built on Plains Road at the intersection of Howard Road as an entrance to the estate.

Property then owned by John Fuller, who built a large, 26-room house there.

In 1889, Thomas Townsend bought the property; it remained with the family until 1952. Townsend was a developer and engineer, who designed the Welland Canal's locks, gates and bridges, also rebuilding Desjardins Canal bridge. He also designed a custom rail car for Kind Edward VII for his 1860 cross-Canada trip when Edward was still Prince of Wales.

In 1912 Hamilton's Parks Board bought part of Oaklands for recreational purposes. They leased the area to Canada Steamship Lines investing $150,000 to upgrade the dock and park with athletic fields, a dance hall, picnic grove, and restaurant.

A concrete bathhouse was erected to provide for swimming facilities. The large residence and entrance gate remained, and would stay until being torn down in 1956.