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Hespeler's Oldest Home is for Sale - 168 Bechtel Street

168 Bechtel - Samuel Bechtel Homestead - 1816   It is no secret that the City of Cambridge had done little to designate or protect buildings in Hespeler. The removal of a complete historical block at 2-10 Queen Street clearly demonstrates how easy it is to wipe out a century of history. Now the oldest home in Hespeler with strong connections to the original Mennonite community is for sale. The Samuel Bechtel  home on 168 Bechtel Street is listed for sale. It was one of the first pioneering families that came from Pennsylvania to this area. He later donated land to build the first community meeting place, school and burial ground. The house was originally built in 1815 and is arguably the most historically significant home in Hespeler. My friend, the late George Bechtel, always lamented the fact his family home did not have heritage designation. The home is for sale for $2,649,000. Knowing all the development that is happening nearby it would not be a surprise if a developer bought the
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The History of Fisher Mills and Beaverdale Book Video Released

Paul Langan will be releasing on June 1st, 2022 his latest local history book titled, "The History of Fisher Mills and Beaverdale, Ontario". He has put together a promotional video for the book. You can view it below. Feel free to visit his Youtube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/c/PaulLangan  
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Saving Hespeler from Extinction - A Citizens' Guide to Protect our Built Heritage

  Paul Langan will be releasing, on September 1st, 2022, a free download pamphlet "Saving Hespeler from Extinction - A Citizens' Guide to Protect our Built Heritage" . It can be used by the public in any communities concerned about losing their built heritage. Preservation of our heritage buildings is needed more than ever in Ontario. Recent demolition of historically significant buildings in Hespeler highlight the need for action to be taken to protect the remaining buildings. This pamphlet will give the public a guide that they can use to fight back against the future destruction of our built heritage.
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Alternatives Denied - The $100,000,000 Highway 7 Fiasco Book Re-released Today

For immediate release…..Cambridge, ON...March 28th, 2022…. Alternatives Denied was a book released in 2000 that was a compilation of critiques from concerned citizens on the Highway 7 Kitchener-Guelph Ontario proposal. The 90 page book features articles by George Bechtel, Ben Bennett, Douglas Graham, Judith Greenwood-Speers, Julie Harwood, Paul Langan, Dave Locky, Jennifer Niece, Michael Parkinson, Steve Vogel, and Liz Wharton. Paul Langan, states, "22 years later it is good to reflect back on this publication printed in 2000 and see why this new highway was such a bad idea. As a historical document it is a strong testimonial to a flawed process." The book is available starting today at Wordsworth Books , Waterloo, Ontario. It will also be available on Amazon, Rakuten/Kobo and Google Play worldwide. All net profits from the sale of this publication will go to Haven House, a home in Cambridge for females and kids fleeing abusive situations. For more information go to: http:/
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Free Historical Book Download Barefoot Farm Boy by C.A. Panabaker, Hespeler Ontario

Barefoot Farmboy - C.A. Panabaker   I am proud to add another free local history publication to download on my website. The book Barefoot Farm Boy by C.A. Panabaker was released in 1957. He reminiscences about his time growing up in Hespeler,Ontario. The quality of the pdf scan is good thanks to an excellent hardcopy of the booklet lent to me by Hespeler historian Bob Falle. Panabaker grew up a on Hespeler area farm and worked at places like the William A. Kribs Co., Hespeler Furniture Co., Dominion Woollens and Worsted Co. amongst others. His memories from the early days make for interesting reading. Click HERE to go to the free books page to read it.
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Alternatives Denied - The $100,000,000 Highway 7 Fiasco book to be reprinted

  Release Date March 28, 2022 - Alternatives Denied Alternatives Denied was a book released in 2000 that was a compilation of critiques from concerned citizens on the Highway 7 Kitchener-Guelph Ontario proposal. The 90 page book features articles by George Bechtel, Ben Bennett, Douglas Graham, Judith Greenwood-Speers, Julie Harwood, Paul Langan, Dave Locky, Jennifer Niece, Michael Parkinson, Steve Vogel, and Liz Wharton. Paul Langan, who is reprinting the book, states, "22 years later it is good to reflect back on this publication printed in 2000 and see why this new highway was such a bad idea. As a historical document it is a strong testimonial to a flawed process." The book will be released March 28th,2022 and will be available at Wordsworth Books, Waterloo, Ontario. It will also be available on Amazon, Rakuten/Kobo and Google Play worldwide. All net profits from the sale of this publication will go to Haven House, a home in Cambridge for females and kids fleeing abusive
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Paul Langan releases his 11th historical publication - Sabotage in Hespeler

  Paul Langan - Sabotage in Hespeler Paul Langan releases his 11th history publication, Sabotage in Hespeler - The February 6th, 1916, A.B. Jardine Factory Fire. It is a creative non-fiction short story. For immediate release…..Cambridge, ON...January 27th, 2022…. Paul Langan has written a short story based on a real event in Hespeler’s history. Sabotage in Hespeler - The February 6th, 1916, A.B. Jardine Factory Fire retells the story of espionage in Hespeler during World War I. It is 35 pages, 3000 words, 6"v9" format and includes rare 1915 photos from inside the A.B. Jardine factory. Print copies available exclusively in the Waterloo Region at Wordsworth Books 96, King Street South, Waterloo, ON. It is available worldwide on Amazon, Rakuten/Kobo and Google Play Books. Local residents can pick up a signed copy from the author by contacting him through the website, https://www.paullangan.com Paul Langan states, “ Truly a remarkable event in the history of Hespeler and a
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