Westdale, Ontario

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Westdale is a residential neighbourhood in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada centered on the quaint Westdale Village shopping district and located near McMaster University. It is bordered to the north by Cootes Paradise, an extensive nature reserve marking the western end of Lake Ontario.

1 Pre-European Occupation
2 Pre-Westdale History
3 History
4 Present
5 Politics
6 Education
7 External links

[edit] Pre-European Occupation

Archeological surveys have shown that the land south of what is now Cootes Paradise was once occupied by successive cultures of aboriginal peoples. In the early seventeenth-century, when the first French explorers and missionaries visited the western edge of Lake Ontario, they found the region populated by a nation of Iroquoian people. They were referred to as the Neutral Nation because of their apparent neutrality in the disputes between the Iroquois Confederacy and the Huron.

In the mid-seventeenth century, the Neutral Nation, along with the Huron, were defeated by the Iroquois Confederacy and driven from the region. Eventually, Ojibway from what is now northern Ontario began to push southwards and displace the Iroquois and occupied the land until they themselves were displaced by European pioneers.

[edit] Pre-Westdale History

Following the creation of Upper Canada in 1791, the land upon which Westdale is now located was surveyed as part of the Township of Barton. Shortly afterwards, the boundary was adjusted and the lots west of present-day Paradise Rd. were incorporated into the Township of Ancaster. This area of the township situated below the escarpment was commonly referred to as the Gore of Ancaster.

Following the transfer of the land from the Township of Barton to the Township of Ancaster, the land upon which Westdale is now located became lots 57 through 60 of Concession 1.

Early settlers of these lots include the Forsyths, Ashbaughs, Clines, Paisleys, Buttrums, Bambergers and Strouds. Land use was primarily devoted to agriculture.

[edit] History

Westdale was founded in the late 1920s (in conjunction with McMaster's 1930 founding in Hamilton) as one of Canada's first planned communities. Spearheaded by W.J. Westaway's development company Westdale Properties and a contingent of local investors on the Westaway Citizens Committee, the project aimed to stimulate an upscale Protestant environment. Established on what had been predominantly farmland, its shopping district was constructed on King Street, the western end of a major Hamilton route. The major housing developments branched from Sterling Street, a wide tree-lined lane that ended at McMaster's east campus gates.

[edit] Present

Although urban development has reduced the isolation once integral for Westdale's modeled environment, the Village persists as an established, high-end shopping destination for West Hamilton residents. The increase of McMaster's student population in recent decades has given rise to concerns about student housing and absentee landlords, not to mention noise, drunkenness and mischief. In recent years, homeowners have become more assertive in voicing their concerns, and have taken pro-active steps towards addressing the problems caused by student housing. Recently, homeowners calling themselves WADS (Westdale Against Drunk Students) staged a rally to protest recent problems with the student population and called for the McMaster pub, Quarters, to be closed. McMaster responded by setting up a mediation between surrounding homeowners and student residents, as well as clarifying that Quarters closing would not fix the problems residents were facing, as students would just go to other bars located in Westdale. The University has refused to close the Bar in spite of continuing problems, property damage and drunken behaviour by Quarters students. Also of note is that McMaster recently hosted the filming of "American Pie Five - The Naked Mile" which appears to some to be a tribute to McMasters attitude towards alcohol. The movie contains scenes of student drinking life and appears to glorify the behaviour. The fact that Animal House was based on McMaster's student life to begin with has not gone unnoticed, Some say the University has lost its focus on excellence on academics and has instead put its future in the hands of increasing sales of liquor and beer to meet its budget deficit which is predicted to be $17 million dollars in the next acedemic year. Another tragedy in the making is the cost overuns now hitting the new Ron Joyce Stadium which recently annoubced its original construction budget of $9 million dollars has doubled to about $19 million. University officials announced the news just after the staudium construction started. Students are being assessed the additional costs and all students are expected to pay the cost out of student fees.

[edit] Politics

Westdale is currently part of the Federal and Provincial riding of Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale and is represented by David Sweet and Judy Marsales respectively. On the Municipal level, Westdale is part of Ward 1 and is represented by Brian McHattie.

[edit] Education

Aside from McMaster University, three public schools are located in Westdale: Westdale Secondary School, Dalewood Middle School, and G. R. Allan elementary school.