THE FOLLOWING QUOTE COMES FROM WARS FIRES AND PICNICS....................
"As for early Beach Strip settlement, Lewis Corey, son of a United Empire Loyalist, and John Dynes, were believed to be the first.
When they initially settled there, wrote Corey A. Kume, the area was a mass of trees, foliage and a swamp full of water lilies.
Thousands of frogs croaked a night, and they were dubbed the Canadian Band by the early in habitants.
Smugglers and innkeepers were among the early residents.
Fishing was an important occupation during the Strip's early days with numerous varieties available, and later there were orchards and market gardens. Local hunters also visited the area, as game was plentiful.
Besides farmers and fishermen, laborers, smugglers and innkeepers were also permanent residents.
By 1833 the Beach Strip boasted four small hotels, three general stores, and two saloons. Jacob Spahn built the first hotel there, while O. McAffee, who ran the canal dredge, lived on the Strip.
Another interesting resident was schooner captain Edward Zealand, who owned three boats and had a forwarding business at Port Hamilton."
First, in the above, it says "Smugglers and Innkeepers were among the early residents. A little further down it says "Besides farmers and fishermen, laboreres, smugglers and innkeepers were also permanent residents. Then "By 1833". This article seems to be telling a story from beginning to end so it appears the comments before "by 1833" would indicate the really early inhabitants. The Corey's arrived ca 1824. Apparently Lewis Corey arrived a day after John Dynes. Benjamin Charbonneau came from NB with the Coreys and he was also a fisherman.
Your response looks like you are looking after the time of trains, a description that sounds like the smuggling during American prohibition, and The Scott Act. Many changes on the Beach between pre 1833 and, for one, trains. I think we are trying to mix apples and oranges. My first query re: smuggling was the smugglers referred to above. When my grandfather lived on the Beach he made some extra coin driving truck to Lake Erie. Many Hamilton residents made alittle extra money. I don't think you can compare the two "businesses".