Paul Langan

  Sabotage in Hespeler Audiobook Short Story by Paul Langan WWI was raging and our Canadian boys were fighting and dying overseas. On February 3rd, 1916, our Parliament building in Ottawa burned to the ground under suspicious circumstances. On February 6th, 1916, the A.B. Jardine Munitions Factory in Hespeler, Ontario was destroyed by fire. Was the fire set by German spies? Paul Langan weaves a creative non-fiction short story based on the facts uncovered that fateful day in Hespeler. For the first time available in an AUDIOBOOK format for just $2.33 from Google. Click on this LINK to order. 

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

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  

  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.

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:/

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.