They must have expected that something would be built next to it, just based on the fact there were no windows, just a plain facade.

I don't mind the annex, but what it replaced would definitely have been an interesting building to have downtown. Does anyone have a photo that shows it in its entirety?

This is the best I could come up with.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/a...pseajwoagy.jpg

And thanks to all for filling in the blanks on the courthouse question.

Wow, thanks! I didn't get it when I googled "Sanford building" but adding "manufacturing" did it.

By the time the 1920s Connaught photo was taken, a row of windows (perhaps a whole floor) was added to the building just to the east, and the cornice extended above it.

The whole HPL presentation: Buildings of the Gore Walking Tour June 2014

https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/...8a&oe=5554E965

https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/...c1&oe=55599330

Facebook Vintage Hamilton

.

This looks like the old Strongman Road. I guess this is before the Claremont Access was built. Good one.

My friend currently lives in that house.

https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/...8a&oe=5554E965

That's the last house on the right when you're ascending the Arkledun hill, heading to the Upper City via the delightfully cryptic John Street/Arkledun Avenue/Jolley Cut/Upper Wellington Street super-road.

https://goo.gl/maps/SNmK4

<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m0!3m2!1sen!2sca!4v1423368306502!6m8!1m7!1smiizZRrIKrRoEQcGkn4JGA!2m2!1d43.246376!2d-79.866174!3f292.75640935797054!4f5.532190182221399!5f0.7820865974627469" width="600" height="450" frameborder="0" style="border:0"></iframe>

On the far right of both images is just the corner of the house known as Stone Castle, missing its garage/coach port (?) in the more modern image, a victim of road widening presumably.

Well, I guess that's not the way to insert a Google Streetview image. Sometimes I could swear Google Maps/Streetview has been getting more cumbersome to use lately. Anybody know the proper way to post a Streetview image on this board?

^1959?

Downtown streets go one-way in '55. City Hall moves from James North to Main in 1960. In the 1960s, the market and York St go boom.

Fifty years later, how much has really changed at 71 Main W?

^Whoa. Very cool.

Where be dis, yo?
 

I'm bored. Let's get back into a rousing edition of 'Where be dis, yo?'

Points awarded for the following info:
*location
*name of the building (if applicable)
*date and/ or
*any other details rattling round your brain.

Rules: No internet. No books. Just have fun and take a gambit.

#1. Where be dis, yo?
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7huitkqi.jpg
source

Looks like King and John. I believe I see Victoria Hall to the right of the burnt building on the corner and it kinda seems like Gore Park there. I'd guess this was the building that was there before the present day court house. No idea on anything more specific than that, I have no idea what the building was.

^Nailed it - 1.5 points. One point for the location and a half point for effort.

The McInness Building (1856-79) located at the south west corner of King and John. No idea what function the building served, though I'd guess it was a manufactory of one sort or another. Any input is appreciated.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/a...psmrt30hmr.jpg
source
Subsequent to the immolation of this impressive pile, the city constructed the beauty below which, as Matt pointed out, was followed by Hamilton's present day courthouse/ post office in 1930.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/a...pssku3usfj.jpg
source

#2. Where be dis, yo?
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/a...psrlfuymwv.jpg
source

By the way, here's the man behind the building.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/a...psu1nhaavl.jpg
source
Sweet mutton chops.

And these are the buildings he used before building the fine edifice above. Notice the Waldorf Hotel/ Wesleyan College at left which preceded the Connaught.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/a...psumqrqfil.jpg
source

Notice the name McInness in the above signage. It would appear the two were partners at some point before going their separate ways. It's also interesting to note the fire from the McInness blaze jumped John and, at least partially, burned Sanford's building. I hope they had insurance!