Now for a little bit of nostalgia. A few weeks ago I met a fellow photographer, Rob, at a Meetup Street shooting event, who told me about a project he’s involved in – documenting Kenilworth Avenue in Hamilton east end. Hey, that’s my old neighbourhood, when I was a teenager! So, I thought I’d do a little exploring on my own, and ended up visiting twice to get some interesting shots.
It’s very run down and boarded up, compared to when I was a kid. Although it was never a ritzy place, there were at least things happening, movie theatres, restaurants, and my old favourite soda bar. Can’t remember the name of it, but it’s where I would be when skipping out of church and school. Now, it’s a pretty dumpy used car lot.
I walked all the way from Barton St to Main St, visiting my old elementary school, Holy Family, which is probably going to be knocked down soon. I visited the old Library (still the same as when I was 8 years old), then headed up to my old high school, Delta, where I had a great tour with one of the people working there, Carmen. As when I was attending there, this building still feels more like a college than a secondary school, but it is now also destined to be condoized. What a shame for such a grand, historical building.
Delta is where I actually started photography, with my old best friend Myron. The 2 of us WERE the Photography Club, and we even had our own private office with key. Imagine that possibility in high school!
[Click on any photo for the slideshow. Please leave comments at the bottom of the page]
Bar-Ken Restaurant
Pollocks is still there. Very grungy.
Holy Family School
Used to be Frank and Ziggy’s Bug Shop
The old Sportsman’s Billiards
Hamilton Public Library. Still looks great.
Lots of used car lots around here, but even they are shutting down.
Holy Family Church
Ziggy’s son. What a resemlance!
Front entrance to Delta High. My old school.
I was standing right there, when this time capsule was placed. I don’t believe the school will make it to 2017.
Rankins is still popular.
This used to be a movie theatre, then a revival meeting hall, now….
Modern urban landscaping. (Note the trendy blue planter)
Upstairs in the library
Babcia and Dziadzia’s storefront. Still someone living upstairs.
The side of Babcia and Dziadzia’s building
Delta High School. Maybe tearing this down soon.
Upstairs in the library
Inside the main entrance.
This used to be a bowling alley. I got beat up right against that door. In those days, there weren’t any “cyber-bullies”, only physical ones.
This place is still there
Holy Family School
If these halls could speak…
Woodworking shop
Carmen trying out his true calling.
Music room
Yup, he’s still around!
Carmen turning off the lights
The boys gym. This is where the Friday Night Dances were held.
Welding masks in auto mechanics
Man, I remember spending so much time on these staircases.
Look familiar?
December 4, 2021 at 1:10 am
Are you related to Ed Dobrucki. Went to Holy Family School with him. Very familiar with the area. My husband & I both lived in the area . Me at Cannon & Kenilworth & he on Paling Ave. Very good, interesting article. Surprised the school was for sale. I guess not enough young people in that area anymore. Times are changing & not always for the better! Beverley (Parker) Simpson
December 4, 2021 at 1:21 pm
Hey Bev, yes, Ed is my cousin, although we were never close and I didn’t know him well. Probably because he’s quite a bit older than me. I didn’t know he went to Holy Family. I and my siblings all went there. We lived on Normanhurst Ave and Barton. This is a really old article but I’m glad I left it up so you could find it and enjoyed it. Haven’t been to Hamilton for a while now because of the pandemic, but maybe it’s time I make another visit. Nice to hear from you, take care.
December 4, 2021 at 1:15 am
Are you related to Ed Dobrucki? Went to Holy Family School with him. I lived at cannon & Kenilworth & my husband on Paling Ave. Was a great area to grow up in. Sure has changed but so have a lot of things (not always for the better). Great article, thanks!
December 4, 2021 at 10:03 pm
Thanks for your reply. Good memories of the old days. Take care. Beverley
August 19, 2022 at 1:49 pm
Was the bowling alley on Kenilworth Avenue? If so, do you know what the name, address and date it was opened?
August 19, 2022 at 6:57 pm
The bowling alley was in the basement of a building near the corner of Kenilworth and Barton. The entrance, which is shown in the photo is not on either street, but on a side street in the back. No idea when it was opened, but it’s been shut down for a long time, probably at least 35 years. Were you living in this area?
August 19, 2022 at 10:56 pm
I would be too young to remember if we lived in the area when it was there. I am researching the history of Kenilworth Ave and was thrilled to see a bowling alley for recreation. There were so many different niche shops. Thanks for sharing.
August 20, 2022 at 12:38 am
I was hanging out there as a teen in the 60’s. That’s how old I am. It was a 5-pin bowling alley, with about 8 lanes. There were at least 4 pool halls in the area, a couple of which were very shady. There were some really cool diners which I frequented often. And very close to Holy Family school was a soda shop, right out of the 40’s or 50’s. That is where I spent most of my going-to-church time. Anyway, I think is as very interesting that you’re researching this area. Good luck, and don’t be afraid to ask me questions, by email, if you want.
December 2, 2022 at 2:41 am
Hi Ed. I was raised in a big family, grew up in the neighbourhood in the Fifties and Sixties.. The soda shop you speak of was Buttenhams, next to the service centre at the corner of Britannia and Kenilworth. They made the best milk shakes for 25 cents. We kids would stop at Shipton’s grocery store on the way to school for fruit and Buttenham’s for candy. Frith’s meat shop had sawdust on the floor and chickens with yellow legs. On Satudays we’d go to the Kenilworth movie theatre with our popcorn and some with bread loaves from the bakery across the street. Sometimes it would get wild, kids throwing food at each other and the manager would threaten to shut down the Show. I attended Holy Family School, and have great memories of the teachers, friends, and parish activities like bazaars, talent shows. It was a different time of innocence and sometimes mischief in the alleys. But back home parents were strict and we knew the rules. Thanks for posting the pictures.
December 2, 2022 at 1:24 pm
I’m not Ed, just Len, but it was nice to hear from you. Thanks for giving me the name of the old soda shop. I remember the milk shakes and the Coca-cola ice cream floats especially. You’ve described much of my childhood on Kenilworth.
February 5, 2023 at 11:30 pm
Hi, was a kid of the 70s & 80s there. Anymore info on the pool hall named Sportsway? Spent alot of time and $$$ there.
February 13, 2023 at 12:45 pm
If you look at the 5th photo from the top, that’s it. Don’t know what’s there now, looks like it might be boarded up. I spent lots of time there too, but in the 60’s. Sorry for not getting back sooner. Where do you live now? I’m in Collingwood now and don’t shoot pool anymore.