Paul Langan

  The definitive compilation book on the early history of Hespeler, Ontario. This is approved by the Brewster estate. These booklets have been faithfully digitalized to look excellent as a paperback or ebook.  Added to the books are extremely rare photos, advertisements, maps and current photos of the buildings still in existence for reference purposes.  Includes 2 chapters on the indigenous people. Written in the 1950s to let people then know the early origins of (Bergeytown, New Hope) Hespeler. (approx 1800-1910).  The book includes the following Brewster booklets: J. Hespeler New Hope 1951, The Flood Gate 1952, Hespeler Yarns 1953, La rue de commerce 1954. Each copy purchased gets a free digital download of Brewster's Lot Six - In the Third of Waterloo, 1950.  Due out in November 2021 if not sooner. Developers are wiping out our built history. This book preserves the memories.

    I am proud to announce that my next book Tales of Opera Waterloo Region/County 1885-2020 will be available August 20, 2021. You can buy it at Wordsworth Books Waterloo and Amazon worldwide! Here is a list of the chapters in the book to get you pumped. Beginnings of Opera in Waterloo County 1896- 1924  Berlin Opera House  The Moral Stage - Vaudeville, Minstrel Shows vs Opera 1899 - 1924 Scotts Opera House Galt Ontario Preston Opera House 1914 - Bulbul -Waterloo Opera in the 1930s Edward Ransome and Kenneth Sako  1948 - 1964 - Twin City Operatic Society 1948 - 1970s -  Preston Opera Society  1954 - Over 4,000 attend the Royal Conservatory Opera Co. performance in Kitchener Mabel Krug 1959 & 1975 - Gilbert Sullivan Society Opera Singers from this Area  Opera at Wilfrid Laurier University - Leslie De’Ath  Jacqueline Richard, Centre Opera Studio,  KW Opera Guild - Dr. Ted Rhodes Raffi Armenian and the Building of the Centre in the Square - Dr. Ted Rhodes  1980 - 1985 -  Kitchener

  I am happy to announce that my Remembering Glen Christie - The history of the Village of Glen Christie, Ontario and stories from those that lived there , is available worldwide. If you live in the Waterloo Region you can purchase the book at Wordsworth Books in Waterloo. If you live local in Hespeler I might have a few copies so you can use the contact page on this website to inquire. It is available as an e-book on Kobo. It is available worldwide as a paperback and e-book on Amazon. I am working on three more local history books to be completed this year. They are: Tales of Opera - Waterloo County/Region 1889-2020,  Hespeler History - The Authorized Winfield Brewster Collection Remembering Fisher Mills - The history of the hamlet of Fisher Mills, Ontario Thanks for supporting local history books.

  Here is a great Hespeler born goalie now in retirement.  Russell Howard Gillow (born September 2, 1940 in Hespeler, Ontario) is a retired professional ice  hockey player who played 109 games in the World Hockey Association with the Los Angeles Sharks and San Diego Mariners. As a 32-year-old rookie in the 1972–73 WHA season, Gillow was 2nd to Cleveland's Gerry Cheevers in lowest goals against average and helped the Los Angeles Sharks to a 3rd-place finish and playoff berth. When Bruce Gamble suffered a career ending heart attack while playing for the Flyers they were left without a backup goalie during a West Coast road trip, far away from their minor league affiliates. Russ Gillow was playing for the Spokan Jets of the Western International Hockey League when he was offered a job by the Flyers.  Gillow dressed as Doug Favell's backup for just one game. While he never made it back to the NHL, the World Hockey Associated came calling the next season and Gillow would go onto pla

  Today is the 65th anniversary of the tragic rail crash in Galt, Ontario that claimed two lives. Canadian Pacific doubleheader through freight train #903 slammed into "extra" train #5186 which was working at the station and pulled out of the siding. The crash which destroyed the bridge and the spectacle of the damaged engines, just southeast of Galt Collegiate Institute was a site many have never forgotten. In January 2021, I released a  book on the crash titled, "Tragedy in Galt, the May 2nd, 1956 CP Rail Crash." The book features interviews with 4 surviving train crew completed between 1998 and 2020. Available at Wordsworth Books Waterloo , Amazon Worldwide , Kobo and Google Play. I also have limited copies at my house you could pick up in my mailbox.

  With all the insanity relating to the present housing pricing, it is fun to look back. This 11 page report was made to highlight Hespeler to any businesses or individuals thinking of moving here. Enjoy reading this. Here is the LINK .