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HISTORY OF OUR VILLAGE Aldershot is one of the oldest historical spots in Canada. Chevalier de la Salle beached his canoe here in 1669, sick and shaking with a fever, to rest before continuing his overland exploration to the Gulf of Mexico. The landing place on the bay shore is now LaSalle Park, summer picnic grounds for Hamiltonians, and the exact spot is marked by a rock and bronze plate. The explorer, LaSalle, chose his spot well. Much later Alexander Brown built a dock there and Brown's Wharf was the busiest on the lakes, loading lumber from Guelph and flour from Howland's huge mills in Waterdown, along with farm produce from the gardens. Aldershot is not an incorporated village, and may never be one. Civic affairs are handled by East Flamboro Township offices. The first settler in Aldershot was David Fonger, who came here in 1783 from Bavaria and took up Lot two on the plains road. His house was just across the road from St. Matthews Church. Applegarth, the miller, was the second settler and is generally credited with tagging the name "Aldershot" on the community. Buried treasure is supposed to have been concealed in the ravine on Lancefield property on Park Avenue. According to the legend, a considerable amount of gold bullion, being conveyed from York to Niagara during the War of 1812, was stolen from the British while they were encamped at the Valley Inn and hidden in the ravine which was part of the Applegarth lands. The ravine was later the scene of a vast treasure hunt and there is a story that the gold was found by a Hamilton family, who are supposed to have mysteriously acquired sudden wealth shortly after the cessation of hostilities. Old Mill - one wall of which is still standing in Hidden Valley Park [Photo of old mill in Hidden Valley Park] Plaque marking LaSalle's Landing in LaSalle Park with Mrs. Carson's children standing beside it [Photo of plaque with children]