High atop Hamilton Mountain stands a mansion that could be considered its Castle. Auchmar Mansion — the gothic house of five gables — rose in 1854 as the personal achievement of the Honourable Isaac Buchanan. A man whose impact on Hamilton rivaled the great figures of his era.
Merchant, civic leader, military founder, and visionary, Buchanan shaped Hamilton long before the modern skyline we see today.
Today, students at Mohawk College and patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital pass the quiet estate without realizing the land beneath their feet was once a centre of political power and early Canadian history.
But Auchmar is more than architecture and legacy. It is a symbol of Buchanan’s rise and fall, later abandoned as his fortunes collapsed. Its halls once hosted prime ministers, princes, and rivals alike. Echoing with debates, celebrations, and what seems to be a little girl resident ghost.
Now, hidden behind overgrown trees, the mansion waits in silence. A relic of ambition, a survivor of eras, and a reminder that Hamilton Mountain’s history is deeper, stranger, and far more dramatic than most ever realize.
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Dundurn & Bus Tour
Auchmar is a featured stop on the Bus Tour. Join us for Dundurn Castle event.
Auchmar, Hamilton’s Castle of the Mountain
Prominence and History… on Hamilton Mountain!
The gothic house of five gables was built in 1854 by a man known all over Hamilton as a great mind for business and the future. Some argue he was the Sir Allan MacNab of Hamilton Mountain.
And this man’s beloved Auchmar Mansion stood as its Castle.
But the Honourable Isaac Buchanan wouldn’t have wanted that comparison. To be honest, he would have hated it.
Auchmar sits at the busy corner of Fennell and West 5th as a reminder to Mohawk students and the patients of St. Joseph’s Hospital that deep history exists on these lands.
Buchanan held many roles. He was a merchant in Hamilton and Toronto. A civic leader, legendary public figure credited with many “firsts” for Hamilton.
He was also the first president of Hamilton’s Board of Trade. And during his rare free time, in 1862 he helped establish the 13th Battalion Volunteer Military Infantry, later known as the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (or Rileys). Located in the Armouries on James Street North.
Not surprising that a man like this would need a “castle” like Auchmar to call home and impress his visitors.
About Auchmar Mansion
Auchmar came from Isaac’s family home in Stirlingshire, Scotland. Same place is considered the Heartland of Scottish Independence. And hosted a battle with the British led by the immortal, William Wallace in 1297.
And it was Buchanan who named the Hamilton Mountain lands around the mansion Claremont (or Clairmont), meaning “clear mountain” in French.
The Buchanan family lived in Auchmar during the infancy of the Mountain. And being an important political figure, he’d have many friends over to discuss politics and enjoy a drink or five inside the mansion.
Notables included Canada’s first Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald and the Prince of Wales. Even his ‘nemesis’ was invited, one Sir Allan MacNab of Dundurn Castle.
Not bad for Buchanan’s summer cottage. Their winter home was a modest structure in Downtown at James Street South and Augusta.
The Buchanans were forced to move when Isaac investments and reputation failed.
Going to 95 James Street South, now number 151 and the starting location of our Hamilton’s Dark History Tour.
Hamilton’s Dark History
Tour the city’s most notorious history while standing where it happened.
Isaac died there on October 1st, 1883, at age 74. All while his beloved Auchmar stood empty on Hamilton Mountain.
After the Buchanans
After Isaac’s death, the house was sold to British military man Captain Trigge. Notable changes occurred during his time…
- He converted Isaac’s grand ballroom into a preaching hall for his congregation.
- Demolished the West Wing & Conservatory, which may have cause the damage leading to foundation issues only recently fixed by the City of Hamilton.
- He invited local Hamilton author Mrs. Alma Dick-Lauder for a visit.
Those familiar with our Ghost Walks of the Hermitage Ruins will recognize her name. Alma was the youngest daughter of George Leith. Leith built the Hermitage house, now the Ruins. She was its last owner, and it was at her tea party which led to the fire that claimed the house.
Legendary Hermitage Ruins
Walk the Haunted Woods for an evening with stories of ghosts, mystery & history.
Even after the Hermitage became ruins, Alma refused to leave her family’s land. She lived in a tent with her crippled dog until the people of Ancaster built her a small wooden house within the ruins. She lived there until her death in 1942.
And it was in her 1897 book, Wentworth Landmarks, where Alma featured Auchmar Mansion. Maybe Hamilton’s first Historian, her description painted a beautiful picture during Captain Trigg’s ownership.
“The old family home of the Buchanan’s is one of these set in the midst of a grand old grove of trees and looking quaint and beautiful as one approaches it. There being five [gables] along its front. The hall is cathedral-like because its ceiling is Gothic. The effect not gloom, something different like a dim, religious light.”
Alma Dick-Lauder about Auchmar
Rest of Auchmar’s History
James Buchanan, Isaac’s son, returned to Auchmar in 1900. James was like his father in Isaac’s prime. A successful businessman.
The new Buchanan’s remained for 26 years until A.V. Young of the well-known Young family of Hamilton made Auchmar his home.
The Grand-Uncle of Hamilton Tiger-Cats Owner (and Red Hat Linux founder), Bob Young.
A home it remained until 1943. With World War II raging, hospitals were needed for returning soldiers.
Auchmar’s long halls made it perfect of a hospital and Young rented the mansion to the Royal Canadian Air Force as a rehabilitation centre.
Two years later, in 1945, its longest occupants moved in. A bunch of Nuns!
The Hungarian Sisters of Social Service bought the mansion for $32,500 ($600,000 in 2026) and converted it into their holy retreat. Occupying it for over 50 years!
Then Auchmar became abandoned for the second time in 1998. And remains silent (as of 2026). Hidden on a hill behind overgrown trees. It’s starting to be recognized again as the great historic landmark.
Buchanan’s Distinction
Only took 124 years! In 2007, Hamilton inducted Isaac Buchanan into its Gallery of Distinction. Proof that honour doesn’t have an expiry date.
Auchmar Mansion is exclusively open during Doors Open Hamilton. And is usually the weekend’s most visited site.
The Dove Cote
In the backyard still stands one of the last remaining Dove Cote’s in Canada. Surprisingly, the one three with remain are in Hamilton and Cambridge…
- Two in Hamilton – Auchmar & Dundurn Castle
- One in Cambridge at the old Forbes Estate
At Auchmar is a two‑storey stone structure where the Buchanans raised pigeons. They trained and sold them as carriers.
And used them for food during harsh Mountain winters. Called “Squab”, this was a sign of high-society in 19th century Canada.
Downfall of Isaac Buchanan
But what happened to the Honourable Isaac Buchanan to leave Auchmar empty for the first time?
Buchanan was a businessman who proved the wholesale business worked in Ontario (then called Upper Canada). Establishing the largest operation at the time which expanded to London, Montreal, New York and Glasgow (Scotland).
Hamilton was a perfect location for business and became his home.
Leading to the building of his beloved Auchmar Mansion by 1854.
With money to burn, Isaac invested in the emerging railway system. His success boosted his confidence … perhaps too much.
New Challenges
In the same year (1854), seeking new challenges, Buchanan entered politics and ran against his adversary Sir Allan MacNab . Feeling MacNab was too focused on expanding his Railway Empire. Alongside of Religious reform.
Didn’t matter! MacNab still won re-election. But didn’t last long when another rival named John A. MacDonald forced his resignation.
Opening the door for Buchanan to step in and take over. Serving Hamilton from 1857 to 1865, when he stepped down out of fear for his failing business and investments.
Starting with the “Panic of 1857” which started the downward spiral. Forcing Buchanan to use his political standing to help his failings. Something which turned many of his supporters against him.
In 1865 he resigned from office. And two years later his business failed.
Isaac sold Auchmar and moved permanently into the row house on James Street South. Living out his final years in obscurity.
Dying in the James Street House on October 1st of 1883 at 73 years old.
Mysterious Resident Ghost
Is Auchmar Mansion haunted? We think so … but understand why not much has been found over the years.
No chance was given to finding the ghosts of Auchmar. Today only one active resident spirit is known. The reason …
- Built in 1854 by Buchanan … no ghosts yet cause it’s new
- Then the religious Captain Trigg arrived, refusing to believe
- Followed by Isaac’s son James in 1900, and he’s not going to talk
- Then the Young family, leading to war, military hospital & other things to worry about
- And then Nuns for over 50 years … they ain’t talkin’!
Only when the nuns moved out in 1998 did we finally hear stories.
Strange Days at Blake Holsey High
In 2002, Discovery Kids used Auchmar as the magical school setting for Strange Days at Blake Holsey High (or Black Hole High).
The show filmed for three plus seasons. Leading to many actors and staff sleeping over in Auchmar. Also, in dressing rooms behind the house near the once Nun’s chapel.
This is an area of activity. Animals reacted to unseen energy. One dog barked at an empty hallway and later refused to go back.
Then there’s the actor, Lawrence Bayne.
Lawrence Bayne’s Experience
Lawrence Bayne, who played Victor on Black Hole High (and currently the voice of Cable in the original 90’s X-Men cartoon).
He may have attracted the attention of Auchmar’s little girl ghost. Maybe confused by the nice man’s extreme shifts while playing the school’s villainous-turned-loved character.
With an early morning shoot ahead, Bayne slept overnight in his dressing room. As he began to doze, a loud metallic click echoed, startling out of sleep.
The room was empty. But then he saw movement. As the dressing room door slowly swung open, revealing an empty hallway behind it.
Running out into the silent hall and realizing he was alone.