The Beach

A gathering place on a hot summer afternoon, swimming lessons, boats, slides and swings.

The Beach in Lakeside Park, as early as the late 1800's, was a favourite summer gathering place. As it's popularity increased, around the turn of the century, cottages began to appear along the bluffs overlooking the beach with several sets of stairs being built to gain access from the streets above. Port Dalhousie was truly becoming known as a summer resort with swimming, entertainment and amusement park complete with a midway.

The park was the brainchild of the N. S. & T. railway that its local electric cars operated to. The development was named Lakeside Park and it is highly probable that it took its name not only from its location but also from the steamer "LAKRSIDE" that was operated by its owners and which served to bring pleasure-seekers to it.

In the very early years, "LAKESIDE" had docked above Lock One at Port Dalhousie, but by the time the park was operating her dock was moved to a wharf on the lower harbour's west pier immediately adjacent to the park and its rail connection. Passengers arriving at Port Dalhousie by steamer could board the electric cars and ride on into St. Catharines or over to Niagara Falls.

The steamer LAKESIDE at Port Dalhousie. This vessel is a propeller with a capacity of about 300 people. She made a daily round trip between Toronto and Port Dalhousie. Her time was conveniently arranged both for Toronto and St. Catharines people, and the enterprise of her owners in putting the vessel on this route was rewarded by a good traffic. Capt. Wigle, who commands the steamer, is owner in company with Mr. Walker, the distiller, of Walkerville.

1905

From the Niagara Falls Library Petrie Collection

1930's

From the Niagara Falls Library Petrie Collection

Lakeside Park Beach inside the bath house with a sample token. Notice the tokens hanging on the wall.

View of crowded beach and swimmers from the bath house at Lakeside Park , Port Dalhousie in 1940

Water sports were all the rage at Lakeside Park in 1940

Miniature Golf at the Park in June of 1947, located along the beach, in the background

There was also a miniture Railway located near the beach that owned and operated by Mrs. Violet Mantley

The Beach Boys - Bill Bunston, Don Baker and Rich Daniels

The following pictures are courtesy of Don Baker taken between 1958 and 1961

The surf board rental booth on the beach owned and operated by Henry Hillebrand

Something was up with this Palm tree on the beach. It seemed to be the centre for a lot of partying. Hopefully I can get more details on the story behind it.

I know were not in the tropics, but it looks like a lot of fun was in the making.

You can tell the party is heating up.

Looks like trouble here.

A little something to quench your thirst?

Not everybody hung around the Palm tree.

The "Airplane Ride" Don's son in the foreground, he's a little older now.

Get 120 4x6 prints for only $15 at the Gallery.