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Beauty's Gone: The Story of Bellevue
By Daniel Cumerlato

In the Fall of 2000, Hamilton lost another battle to save history. That fateful day in September will always stand as the day that Hamilton was brought to its knees by the dealings of one Claire Sellens and the holes in the shield of the Conservation Board. This is another example of the burning questions that are permanently embedded in my soul. They ask, will the powers that be stand up and recognize that these structures represent our past? Also, will they learn that once the historic building is destroyed, a part of our past dies with it?

The lot at 14 Belvedere Avenue stands empty now and all that remains of the Bellevue have been removed and cleared away. The house is a memory, one that will haunt us forever. What would the ghosts that graced the halls of this mansion say if the human ear could hear them? Would they be angry, sad, or maybe disappointed? If the ghost of John Bradley could rise up and scream, would he yell, "Why do you destroy such beauty? Why did you destroy my home?"

Bellevue was once loved
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The Bellevue (French for 'beautiful view') Mansion stood atop the Mountain Brow for over 150 years. It watched the city grow and prosper, and like any proud powerful leader it symbolized what Hamiltonians could achieve. It's limestone structure came from a supply local to the Hamilton area. History tells that the construction firm of "Melville, Herald and White", who is also credited with the historic Jolley House on Hamilton Mountain, built the Bellevue.

It was built for an influential rich Irish Immigrant named John Bradley to accommodate him in his retirement. Mr. Bradley was credited with owning a tavern, two downtown hotels and much land (including the lot were the Bellevue once stood) in the Hamilton area. Career accomplishments revolved around his service as a diplomat for the law. He was a lieutenant, a major in the militia and was appointed a member of the Board of Police in the years 1838 to 1841. He retired a wealthy man and lived a good life at the Bellevue until his death in 1864. One amazing fact about John Bradley said that his article in the "Western Mercury", back in the mid-1800s, initiated the first organized meeting of the Roman Catholic Church in Hamilton, held at his Tavern of course.

No doubt that the Bellevue held much history within its walls. Since being built it has been renowned as an elegant home. A lot of pride has gone into renovations to the structure in the early 1900s. Then, as progress began to take hold of our city, the Bellevue was forgotten.

Murder, insanity and the devil
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With the decay came the legends. We hear stories of a man, insane in his rage, murdering his family and then hanging himself from the main wood beam of the belvedere. History then repeats itself when a young child murders his family and also hangs himself from that same beam. Scary rumors spread like wildfire and transform the Bellevue from elegant to frightening. Claire Sellens put to rest any rumors or arguable facts when he caused the destruction of the Bellevue in the fall of 2000.

"There comes a time when granny no longer should be maintained on life support", are words that passed his lips on December 30, 1997 when being interviewed by the Hamilton Spectator. Some of the other references coined in the article included the term "do-gooders" (referring to historic building enthusiasts such as myself) and calling some of the feasible suggestions put forth by the good people of Hamilton as "crazy ideas".

However, on the flip side of that coin, how far do you feel these comments fly from the truth of its decay? For a second let me ask you, "Is Claire Sellens the killer of history or a scapegoat for our fading memory of the past?"

Are we at fault
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Did the citizens of Hamilton have the power to save this historic mansion? As Janice Kay of 'The Committee To Save Bellevue' hinted in her article with the Spectator, "There was a plan for Bellevue". The suggestion was to move the mansion to Sam Lawrence Park on the escarpment and use it as a welcome center for the New City of Hamilton. Although it was good idea and an impressive site it would make, the city didn't move on it. One obstacle was shown from the Niagara Escarpment Commission saying that it would be harmful to the sensitive nature of the escarpment. Janice ends her article with a suggestion that maybe Hamilton has turned it's back on the Bellevue.

The decayed remains of this once beautiful mansion loomed over the city as a constant reminder that we were loosing our history. Maybe in a way Claire Sellens represents every Hamiltonian who doesn't remember where they came from and who doesn't respect that our history is our pride.

Final Thought
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I once read a book written by our friend, the famous historian Brian Henley. He profiled some of Hamilton's most prominent historic buildings. For every picture I saw, in every article I read, I asked myself, "Wouldn't it be great to be able to visit such a wonder?" To my complete disappointment, almost 80% of the buildings written about had been demolished in the trendy years of Hamilton. It amazed me to see what was lost for progress and I do see the Bellevue at the top of that list.

The Glossary
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Western Mercury
A local Hamilton newspaper that was printed in the year 1831 till 1835.
Claire Sellens
The man who currently owns the Bellevue lot and was responsible for its destruction.
John Bradley
An Irish immigrant and the first owner of the Bellevue.
The Hamilton Spectator
Nancy DeHart article on Claire Sellens from December 30, 1997.
The Hamilton Spectator
Heritage: There was a plan for Bellevue, article printed on August 30, 2000, written by Janice Kay of The Committee To Save Bellevue.

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