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 property and wiped out this important part of Hespeler's early history.