5 reasons why Hamilton is renaming part of Burlington St. after Nikola Tesla
Dave Beatty, @dbeatty | CBC News | Posted: June 28, 2016 8:20 PM | Last Updated: June 28, 2016
Yes, that's really happening. The signage starts going up June 29
The decision to rename part of Hamilton's famed Burlington Street East, (the part running from Ottawa Street East to the QEW, in both directions,) to "Nikola Tesla Boulevard" after the Serbian scientist, inventor and pioneer in electricity, has some people scratching their heads.
Why here? What's the connection to Hamilton?
Here are five facts that may clarify things:
1. Hamilton was first city in Canada to receive AC electricity, and became known as "The Electric City"
Decew Falls Generation Station Number 1 in Niagara, built in 1898, is the oldest continuously running hydroelectric power generating station in the country. It was built by Hamilton's "Five Johns," (Dickenson, Gibson, Moodie, Patterson, and Sutherland).
This proved to be an important development for the city. Thanks to the uniqueness of its widespread access to hydroelectric power through Decew Falls, Hamilton branded itself "The Electric City." It marketed itself as a place with affordable power.
2. Hamilton's access to affordable electricity enticed big players to set up shop here
Cheap access to power was compelling to The Hammer's famous steel mills, and with it, they were able to produce their product with maximized efficiency. The combination of affordable power and plentiful access to local steel was a boon to many businesses that went on to form the backbone of Hamilton's industrial sector. Cheap electric power also attracted a number of other major industries to Hamilton. Some of these included:
- Westinghouse
- International Harvester
- Otis Elevator
- Canadian Canners Consolidated Companies Limited
- Procter and Gamble
3. A group of Hamilton Tesla enthusiasts cared so much they raised over $180 000 to make it happen
The Nikola Tesla Educational Corporation was formed in 2014, and in 2015 they went to the city to request this name change for a part of Burlington Street in honour of Tesla. At present they say they have raised over $180 000, with an initial funding goal $150 000, which is the amount needed to pay for the new signs and to provide awards and scholarships.
4. It's an excuse to have a big outdoor party featuring a bunch of Tesla-patented technology
The Tesla Electric Festival of 2016 will be held on July 10 at Confederation Beach Park, and will feature the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the Nikola Tesla Boulevard signs, as well as a marching band, Tesla cars, and battling robots, among other attractions.
5. Everyone loves Tesla
Nikola Tesla was an inventor now widely-regarded as a man of profound genius. He even inspired the ambitious Elon Musk to be the namesake of Musk's intended game-changing electric car. A recent ad for an autopiloted Tesla Model S was filmed in Hamilton, along the 403 near the exits for King Street and Main Street.
Signage denoting the name change will start being put up on Wednesday, June 29. Work crews are expected to be working on replacing signs up to July 8.