[flar]

Ancaster is the wealthiest area in Hamilton, and one of the wealthiest communities in Canada.
Its location on the Niagara Escarpment west of Hamilton provides a beautiful setting for many
luxurious homes and the quaint stone village at its core. Ancaster is also home to the Hamilton
Golf and Country Club, which hosted the PGA's Canadian Open last year. I've tried to photograph
some of the nicer residential areas, but as you can imagine, access is restricted to many of the
most impressive properties, which are behind gates and down private laneways.

The tour begins in Ancaster's historic core:

 

[Observer Walt]

Nice pictures flar, especially at this time of the year. I see that you took a hike along the Bruce Trail to get a picture of the falls. It's a bit of a tossup between Ancaster and Dundas as to which is more attractive, IMO.

 

[Long Island Mike]

Ancaster-another nice thing about Hamilton!

Flar: Again good pics! I noticed that the housing stock runs the gamut from older homes to glorified McMansions. Not bad-but in my opinion Durand was better in my eye! LI MIKE

 

[flar]

^^If I had a million bucks to spend on a house, I pick Durand over Ancaster for sure.

Nice pictures flar, especially at this time of the year. I see that you took a hike along the Bruce Trail to get a picture of the falls. It's a bit of a tossup between Ancaster and Dundas as to which is more attractive, IMO.

Both beautiful, I live in Dundas because I like the "feel" of Dundas better. Quite a rivalry between the towns though. Strangely the road between Dundas and Ancaster is called "Old Ancaster Rd" if you're driving towards Ancaster, and "Old Dundas Rd" if you're driving towards Dundas.

 

[Tewder]

^That road is gorgeous to drive, any time of year.

I know Ancaster very well. It is built on the mountain, whereas Dundas is built in the valley beside the mountain. The roadways around the old village(Mineral Springs, Sulphur Springs etc) are also gorgeous old roads for a country drive, and there are lots of hiking trails too. This is a corner of Ontario that definately does not feel midwestern.

 

[ganjavih]

Wow, what a charming community... and the autumn colours... gorgeous.

 

[adma]

Now awaiting the thread HAMILTON Part XL: The Villages Of Glancaster...

 

[Hydrogen]

If petitioned by paranoid locals, would you have stated yourself as being a resident, a guest, or would you have just hastily split the scene?

Ten kilometres an hour? That's slow enough to look suspicious.



Otherwise, great pics.

 

[flar]

If petitioned by paranoid locals, would you have stated yourself as being a resident, a guest, or would you have just hastily split the scene?

I had some BS story ready about how the Ontario Real Estate Association had paid me to take pictures because they were profiling Ancaster at their annual conference as one of the best real estate markets, etc, etc,
If that didn't work, I'd split.

 

[JRichardson2150]

Doctor's House

This house is knowns as The Doctor's House. It was built by my great great grandfather David Richardson for his son Dr. Henry Richardson in 1872. A series of doctors owned the house after Henry Richardson died in 1894. The separate room on the right side of the house was the doctor's office and apothecary.

It's built in the Italianate Style, very popular at the time because the 1865 edition of Canadian Farmer published detailed floor plans which are replicated almost to the letter in this house.

It's now a spa and the owners really messed up the inside.

 

[Goldie]

photography without fear

I had some BS story ready about how the Ontario Real Estate Association had paid me to take pictures because they were profiling Ancaster at their annual conference as one of the best real estate markets, etc, etc,
If that didn't work, I'd split.

I don't understand why any photographer should fear "paranoid locals."
Home owners are naturally curious about anyone taking pictures of their home.
Just be pleasant, tell the truth and there will be no need to "split."

 

[Jonny5]

I don't understand why any photographer should fear "paranoid locals."
Home owners are naturally curious about anyone taking pictures of their home.
Just be pleasant, tell the truth and there will be no need to "split."

Ya. We're not like England, yet, where taking pictures of anything, anywhere can subject you to arrest and a terrorist investigation.

 

[flar]

I don't understand why any photographer should fear "paranoid locals."
Home owners are naturally curious about anyone taking pictures of their home.
Just be pleasant, tell the truth and there will be no need to "split."

That's what I do with normal people, but certain people, particularly wealthy ones, insist that you're planning to break into their home. The police also listen to certain people more than others, and although it is perfectly legal to take photos while standing on public property(e.g. the sidewalk), they can still make things difficult for you. Every unknown visitor is watched very closely in a wealthy area.