Posted with full permission from the Hamilton Spectator.
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Daniel Hayduk, the Hamilton Spectator
July 2007. The Dynes Tavern bites the dust.
August 01, 2007
The Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 1, 2007)
As legend has it, the Dynes was the longest continually operating tavern in Canada.
It opened on the Beach Strip in 1847 as a hotel and tavern under the ownership of John Dynes. Since then, generations of Beach residents have visited the watering hole, which was known for inspiring more than a few marriages.
The Dynes saw its best times more than a hundred years ago. It thrived around the turn of the century when the Beach Strip was a popular resort community with cottages and an amusement park.
Over the decades, the Dynes has evolved with the community, undergoing a series of renovations. Every few years it was reborn, often under new ownership, but none of the ventures returned the Dynes to its glory days.
It wasn't until Boxing Day 2002 that the tavern closed its doors for the first time. Until then, not even a fire was enough to stop the drinks from flowing.
According to folklore, John Dynes's ghost would still come down for a beer at night if the door to the attic was left open.
The Dynes property is now slated to become a housing development by Branthaven Homes. Several dozen homes are planned, along with a commercial element
My last aerial photo of the Dynes;
...
Daniel Hayduk, the Hamilton Spectator
July 2007. The Dynes Tavern bites the dust.
August 01, 2007
The Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 1, 2007)
As legend has it, the Dynes was the longest continually operating tavern in Canada.
It opened on the Beach Strip in 1847 as a hotel and tavern under the ownership of John Dynes. Since then, generations of Beach residents have visited the watering hole, which was known for inspiring more than a few marriages.
The Dynes saw its best times more than a hundred years ago. It thrived around the turn of the century when the Beach Strip was a popular resort community with cottages and an amusement park.
Over the decades, the Dynes has evolved with the community, undergoing a series of renovations. Every few years it was reborn, often under new ownership, but none of the ventures returned the Dynes to its glory days.
It wasn't until Boxing Day 2002 that the tavern closed its doors for the first time. Until then, not even a fire was enough to stop the drinks from flowing.
According to folklore, John Dynes's ghost would still come down for a beer at night if the door to the attic was left open.
The Dynes property is now slated to become a housing development by Branthaven Homes. Several dozen homes are planned, along with a commercial element
My last aerial photo of the Dynes;
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