Beckett's Drive - 1893

“Gloomy weather caused the party that started at 3 o’clock on Saturday afternoon last – in response to a circular sent out by a committee of citizens and the promoter – for the purpose of inspecting the Beckett Mountain Drive, to defer the inspection.”

          Hamilton Evening Times.  October 30, 1893.

          Many of those invited to inspect the route of Mr. Beckett’s drive on October 28, 1893 did arrive at the head of Queen street at the appointed time. It was disappointing, however, that only two members of the Hamilton City Council choose to respond positively to the invitation. The mayor as well was not present.

          Heavy rain had made the walking along the route of Beckett’s Drive less than favorable. With even more unpleasant weather expected, it was decided to cancel the event, although Adam Brown, on behalf of the committee favoring the construction of the road, verbally invited everyone to return to the same place, at the same time, on the following Saturday.

          Following Mr. Brown’s announcement, many choose to return to their homes or places of business, but others decided that as they were present anyway, they were determined to take a stroll along the partially-constructed road:

          “The recent rain had made the walking worse than it would have otherwise have been, but under the guidance of the indefatigable promoter of the scheme, Mr. Beckett, and his experienced engineer, Mr. Bell, the gentlemen seemed to forget all about the inconveniences of the way, and reaching the end of the drive declared that they would not have missed the opportunity of seeing what was being done and viewing the delightful scenery which lay cityward.”¹

¹ “Beckett’s Mountain Drive : Saturday Afternoon Was Unfavorable for the Inspection :Will Go Over It Next Saturday”  Hamilton Evening Times. October 30, 1893.

          The following lengthy detailed description  of the Beckett’s Drive was assembled by the reporter from the Hamilton Times from his observations as a member of the inspecting party, augmented with data provided in writing by Mr. Beckett and his engineer:

          “A temporary road has been opened to the west side of the route of the drive on Queen street. This is about one thousand feet in length, and will be in use only until the strip owned by the city corporation (which lies high), is opened out directly at the head of Queen street. When this is done, the road will take a sharp turn to the west, and will join the main drive halfway up the mountain.

          “The length of the drive, when complete, will be 2,900 feet (over one-half mile) from Queen street to Garth street. At the latter end, there are 700 feet yet to be finished.

          “The other portion has been leveled up and the road bed on Saturday was in sufficiently good condition to permit of vehicles being driven along it between Queen street and a point to the west beyond Mrs. Gourlay’s property. In some places, the road is eighteen feet wide, and laborers were at work widening other portions.

          “On the part completed, there is no grade steeper than 7 ½ feet in the 100. It may be mentioned that the grade of the James street mountain road is 10 feet in the 100, so the drive is being made 2 ½ feet in the 100 lighter than on James street.

          “There are four permanent stone culverts on this piece of road, each covered with oak plank.

“At the head of Queen street near the top of the mountain, a road has been opened to connect with the Beckett drive. This will be utilized by the Asylum authorities, and others who wish to use it. A vehicle may now be driven up Queen street, along Beckett’s drive through the asylum property and down James or John streets, or by way of the Incline Railway.”¹

As of the end of October, 1893, the costs of constructing Beckett’s Mountain Drive, a toll road charging only a nominal sum for its use, had been borne only by Mr. Beckett himself, augmented by contribution from a small contingent of subscribers who believed in the project:

A considerable amount has already been expended. The material used in construction is of the very best quality. All that is required is plenty of traffic to place it in A1 condition.”¹

Mr. Beckett indicated to those on the tour of his road that the final portion to Garth street would be completed as soon as practicable.

Beckett’s ultimate intention, widely belittled as the ‘scheme of a dreamer,” was to open a roadway across the face of the escarpment which the residents or visitors to the city could access from his drive up the escarpment from Queen Street South.

The roadway would lead all the way to Albion Falls, with constant, stunning views of the city below, the bay and Lake Ontario beyond for the drivers and passengers:

“When the entire drive is completed, it will be four and one half miles in length, and from it views of the city and surroundings can be had which are truly grand. Farmers in the southwestern part of the county will undoubtedly avail themselves of this short cut into Hamilton when it becomes known.”¹

While Beckett’s grand tour of inspection of his road project had been delayed for seven days due to adverse weather, those who were unwilling to wait a week, and were willing to endure the mud and rain were treated to an instructive and invigorating afternoon.

One of the most enthusiastic of the gentleman who accompanied Mr. Beckett and Mr. Bell was a reporter for the Hamilton Times who provided much needed publicity for the road. He concluded his report as follows :

“Mr. Beckett deserves a great deal of credit for the way in which he has stuck to his enterprise.”¹