| Author | Message | ||
   Haunted Hamilton |
As an addition to the new article written by Daniel Cumerlato, we would like to know: What did the Birks Building mean to you? For those who had the opportunity to see it, walk through its halls and enjoy the character that it injected into the core. As well, for those who were not born before the wrecking ball crashed through its unique structure, how does it feel to see that Hamilton had such buildings? | ||
| Matthew |
It would be so cool if the Charging Horsemen clock was restored. It's such a fine piece. | ||
| Gwen |
As a child growing up in Hamilton in the 60's Mom would take us downtown to shop as a special trip. I remember walking through the Birks building and was always fascinated by its beauty and unique architecture. I was sad when they took it down because it was a special part of my childhood. To this day I enjoy taking an afternoon and walking downtown to enjoy the few historical buildings that many people unfortunately take for granted and think they should be torn down. | ||
| Stephanie |
Gwen.. you should come on one of our Downtown Ghost Walks.... we show over 30 pictures of the grand buildings that used to once stand in Gore Park! I think you'd love it! | ||
| Daniel |
Gwen, Thank you for you post. I would just love to hear more details about the inside of the Birks building, if you have sometime to kill and don't mind typing it out on this board, or through email at: info@hauntedhamilton.com. I'm completely obsessed with this lost Victorian wonder and would love to hear anything you have to tell about it or any of the other lost beauties in the downtown core. | ||
| Gwen |
Hi I can't remember too many details. I just remember always even as a child being facsinated by all the old buildings not just downtown but all over the city. I would love to go on your ghost walk | ||
| joe |
Im very young so im very unfortunate to experience this building in real life. Im sad to see hamilton's history dismolishing. This building looked incredible. You dont really see much beauty downtown anymore. Everything is so sterile and cold. I wished i lived in another era to enjoy it's beauty, being born in the 80's really sucks. Modernism sucks! Life's too complicated now, simplicity would be great -joe | ||
| Pat |
Hi Daniel: Like Gwen I remember going to Birks to pick out special gifts from my parents. I remember the pearl counter was to the right as you entered. The perimeter of the interior was lined with huge counters with counters running down the middle- all in either mahogany or some kind of fruitwood- always polished and lots of brass edgings- in the doorways etc. highly polished. I also remember I think that there was a open-cage elevator and a set of stairs leading to- perhaps offices on the 2nd floor? It was always a wonderful experience visiting Birks- it was so solid an emporium- you thought it would never end. | ||
| Headly Westerfield |
I am a writer who has also recently written about the Birks Building. In the spring 2003 issue of Hamilton Magazine I wrote an article titled "For Better or for Worse," which chronicled 25 moments to remember and 25 moments to forget over the last 25 years. This was for the magazine's 25th Anniversary issue. Naturally the destruction of the Birks Building is a moment to forget and came up as number 16 on that list (which is really in no particular order). I said: "The four horsemen of the apocalypse: The beautiful Birks Building, at the corner of King and James streets, was already gone when Hamilton Magazine began publishing, but the ornate "charging horsemen" clock that greeted passersby remained. However, in 1984, it was taken away, extensively repaired and reinstalled two years later outside Jackson Square. Only two weeks passed before the plug was pulled because the charging horsemen were running into each other. Although the hoursemen no longer charge, the clock still still sits by Jackson Square." Thanks for another opportunity to remember something I have only been able to see in pictures. | ||
| Ken |
We were a great city with many industies and beautiful buildings, but we allowed our children to forget our Canadian heritage and instead remember where are forefathers came from.The result is a culture that does not remember.In school we taught world history and did not teach local or Canadian history. In some American cities if you own a heritage home you can't even paint the shutters without the permission of the historical board and to disobey could mean a stiff fine or JAIL time. Our old buildings are our history and therefore part of us. Would we cut off our arm if it hurts of repair it.We have no civic pride. I have enjoyed your web site and found it both educational,heartwarming very interesting. I will be heading out to check some of the buildings in your articles. The old Tivoli is my favorite theatre and I cry when I remember the Palace theatre on King st. and just think we tore it down and Toronto kept the sister theatre and restored it (The Pantages).You could do a whole section on the beautiful theatres in Hamilton,and their ghosts along with night clubs and entertainment spots in this great city. | ||
| DC |
I lived in Montreal all summer... saw their Birks Building... Lemme tell ya, Hamilton's was SOOOOOO much nicer than any other. Such a shame! Lets all get together and tear down former Mayor Jack MacDonald's house! See how he likes it when we tear things down! | ||
| Ghost buster |
I can remember Christmas at Bircks. it was even nicer than Eatons. . I'm not sure who ran it back then , but it was a sight to see, they would go all out, The employees were always so nice and friendly , even if you did not buy any thing there,. and it was mahogany, and brass. along with a large tree (Chistmas tree i meen) up front. Back then Hamilton was a proud city a good city to live in, As far as the Statly ornated clock, You could set your watch by it. The floors were Polished marble i believe and any one with steel cleats would sound through the stores corridors.,. It was a grand store and an even a grander building, A chunk of the heart of hamilton was crushed with repeateed blows from the almighty wreaking ball. It's so sad that progress has to gobble up the vey things that would have made Hamilton a city to visit and love.,............Happy Haunting Ghostbuster. | ||
| gary |
The Birks building with the great clock hanging on the corner of the building.As we waited for the bus to go home we would watch the clock strike and see the horseman go around and joust with each other. It was such a great building from the exterior and at christmas time the gore area came alive.When they took the building down and moved the clock over to Jackson square the clock was sent to be repaired and cleaned,i believe it worked for a bit then stopped working and i do believe they still don't know why it won't work.....spirits maybe........the Birks building was the first of many buildings anf businesses that have been lost to the gore...... | ||
| v.flett |
The Birks bldg,was a beautiful corner in downtown Hamilton,ont which should still be there.Our children and our grandchildren no nothing of our history,the city they were born in ,hamilton has no history thats good,hamilton is a disgrace,when we go through downtown my great grandchildren ask why that old clock isnt ever clean,and tell the time,what do you tell them,i just say if i could get up and clean it i would. I know i will never see the beauty of our downtown that i grew up with,its sad the mess it is today.We have no landmarks that are meaningful for the history of our city or or children.One thing i do have is a silver spoon "the charging horsemen clock,which is dear to me. May25,2005 | ||
| Markc (Markc) |
I just came across this site. I must comment on several of the posting. When the Birk's building was demolished, the clock was removed and put in a waterfront warehouse. It sat unprotected and neglected until Birk's (who had a interest in the new building) decided to referbish the clock. So in the early seventies ( not 1984) the clock which had been sitting in a warehouse on the water front was sent to a local shop on the Hamilton mountain. It was full of birds nest, damage from being hit by forklifts and in general it was in very sat shape. After a magor overhall involving many outside craftsmen including some to do the gold leaf painting, the clock was made into what would be called a jewel of a clock. It was put back in it's original location on the southeast corner of the new building where it hung for many years. Then it 1984, Birk's sold it's interest in the new building and were told to remove their clock. So in 1984, it was again taken down and put back into storage. When word got out that Birk's were planning to take the clock back either to Toronto or Montreal, the city asked Birk's for the clock. When the city contacted the original restorer what they should do with this clock, he told the city the they should put this 24' high clock in a glass case in Gore Park which would than preserve it for decades. The city instead deceided to give the clock a repainting and put it on a expensive stand outside of Jackson Square on the north west corner. Unfortunatly , funds have not been available to maintain this old clock and it now sits neglected and not in working order. What needs to be done is to have the clock taken down again and put back to the condition it was back in the early seventies. I know all this because it was my dad who restored the clock in the seventies. I remember standing inside the clock in his shop on the Hamilton mountain I also remember one of the hardest tasks were getting the charging horsemen to work Sorry for the long story/posting but I wanted to get the story staight. | ||
| Markc (Markc) |
A bit more information. I believe it was 1974 when my dad put the restored clock on the new building. It hung working for ten years including the charging horsemen before it was taken down, put into storage and finally put where it sits today. It cost lots of money to keep something old in working order. Just look at the Lister Block. Mark | ||
| Haunted Hamilton (Admin) |
Thanks for posting this extra info Mark!! Really interesting!!!!  | ||
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