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

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.

Present

Though urban development and neighbouring residential construction has depleted the isolation once integral for Westdale's modeled environment, the Village persists as an established, high-end shopping destination for West Hamilton residents. The rapid expansion of McMaster's student population in recent decades has caused traditional residents a measure of concern as more homes are sold to the purposes of student accommodation. Noise, mischief and ill-maintenance are common complaints voiced by established citizens who have formed a committee that meets regularly with university and student governments.

External Links

Westdale Village

MyWestdale - Westdale schools alumni directory