Mennonite families from Pennsylvania settled the Waterloo region of Ontario during the early nineteenth century, establishing the basis for the rich history and culture of this part of Central Canada. More recently, the cultural diversity of the Waterloo area has been enhanced by immigrants from all over the planet. These immigrants are drawn to the prosperous and diverse economy of the region, and to the two highly respected Universities in the area.
From 1800 to 1803, Swiss Mennonite pioneers came from Pennsylvania to the Waterloo area where they found lush, fertile land to settle on and to farm along the banks of the Grand River. The Waterloo Pioneer Memorial Tower monument was built in 1923 to commemorate these first pioneers. Located near the little town of Doon just east of the Grand, the tower spire has the distinctive Swiss architecture representative of the original settlers’ cultural background..
At Doon Heritage Crossroads you can explore Waterloo County as it was in 1914. Come back to see what businesses, homes and farms were like and how people went about their daily lives.
Joseph and Barbara Schneider were mennonite pioneers, who came to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the early 1800s. Joseph Schneider Haus Museum and Gallery has been built to show what life was like in the area in the 1850s. Joseph and Barbara Schneider built this house in 1816.
The artist Homer Watson was well-respected in his local area of the Waterloo Region. He was often referred to as the “Man of Doon” because he lived and worked in Doon. Watson’s studio has been preserved at the Homer Watson House and Gallery and people may take art classes or workshops there. The gallery also hosts an exhibition of contemporary art.
The tenth Prime Minister of Canada, and also its longest serving, was William Lyon Mackenzie King. He was born in Berlin, prior to its name change to Kitchener in WWI, in 1874. The home where he spent his boyhood has been restored at Woodside National Historic Site and the 4.65 hectares are now returned to their 1890′s glory.
James Livingston erected Castle Kilbride in Baden in the year 1877. Its name was derived from the place in Scotland where he was born. As you drive by, you view a most imposing structure, of Italian design and featuring a belevedere which seems to reach for the sky. But however impressive the castle may seem on the outside, it is yet more so in its interior decoration, which in itself merits a ranking among the highest international artistic achievements.
If you are looking for a home in the Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge or Elmira areas contact Scott Miller Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate. More Article marketing by Linknet.
- Howard Brule
This entry was posted on Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 at 3:04 pm and is filed under Real Estate. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
