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This mountain park is named after William Bruce (1833-1927), a respected local astronomer, teacher, inventor, Justice of the Peace, calligrapher and businessman. He purchased the land in 1869, and in addition to his home, Elmwood, he built an observatory considered one of the best in the country at the time, fitted with a glass ceiling, and telescopes 12.7cm (5 inches) and smaller on the site.
Before his death, Mr. Bruce gave his land to the city. He asked for two conditions: a) that his
daughter, Mrs. John Walkden, be allowed to keep the land tax-free while she lived (until 1958), if she wished, and b) that once the city gained ownership of the land, it be used for a public park. Mrs. Walkden donated the land in 1935, and the Parks Board opened it the following year.
In 1955, 0.81 hectares (2 acres) more were added to the park, when the Bruce home, Elmwood, was removed from the site.
The son of William Bruce , William Blair Bruce , a famous Hamilton painter, died in 1906. Bruce Park contains a plaque honouring his many artistic achievements. Many of his paintings have become the basis for the Hamilton Art Gallery permanent collection.
