Historic Kitchener-Waterloo Homes In Old Waterloo City Core

If you venture into the Erb and King Street area of Waterloo you will be treading on hallowed ground

. This crossroads is where Waterloo began, first as a village from which has sprung the modern city you see today.In 1857, there were about 500 people, mainly German Mennonites who trekked here from Pennsylvania. These sturdy folk put their hearts and souls into developing this thriving commercial and industrial hub. Before long there was a post office, fire hall, library, and factories, and a council chamber.Since fire was such a threat to all buildings in those days, the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Co. was established in 1863. This was the first mutual fire insurance company in Canada, and as the years went by more companies followed. Today Waterloo is referred to as "the Hartford of Canada".Along with the commercial buildings came lovely private homes, lovingly constructed by the early movers and shakers of this thriving town. A scant twenty years later, February 10, 1876, it officially became a town, with a mayor named Moses Springer.Why not take a walk and see for yourself some of these early homes. One you won't want to miss is the Erb-Kumpf House which has parts dating back to 1812. City founder, Abraham Erb and his family first lived here. It is an excellent example of Georgian, Gothic, Doric and Regency styles.The McLaughlin House, which was built in 1867, is a lovely frame house. Not only that, it is a rarity since many frame houses went up in smoke in those early years. It was more sensible to choose bricks, and in time fire regulations dictated that they be used exclusively.Italianate features can be seen on the Kuntz-Labatt House that dates from the mid 1880s. With its pretty verandahs you can almost picture the Kuntz kids frolicking about. This family were owners of a brewery that grew and grew and later was sold to Carling. Today it is part of the Erb and Good Funeral Home.The Waterloo Potters' Workshop uses the handsome Eby farmhouse today. It is a white frame house with dark green trim and is situated in what was once called West Side Park.Another home with Italianate features is the Bean-Wright house built by town councillor Theodore Bellinger in 1882. It boasts a frieze board with brackets, a double front door, and a bay window. David Bean, owner of the Waterloo Chronicle was a later owner of this fine home.The Snyder-Seagram house, built in 1903, was home to Herbert Snyder who owned Snyder Brother's Furniture. It is very unusual because it is constructed of poured concrete. Later it was given to J.E. Seagram by his grandfather Joseph Seagram as a wedding gift.The Bahnsen-Bierstock-Marsland house is one of the newest older homes, having been built in 1924 by John Bahnsen who managed the Globe Furniture Co. At one time Globe Furniture was a leader in the furniture industry. The home is now owned by the Marsland family.

Historic Kitchener-Waterloo Homes In Old Waterloo City Core

By: Judy Hendershot

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