Monday 18 June 2012

A little Detour for Historic Maps, as Promised

As requested, here are several historic maps of the area for perusal:

Village of Waterloo, 1855


It is interesting to note that our little 1820 log schoolhouse, having moved by this point (in 1842) to its location in Greenbush (adjacent to modern day Kitchener Collegiate, KCI) is not immediately identifiable however we can make a guess as to where it was.

 If you look at the right hand side of the map, you will see Mt. Hope Cemetery. This is the 1st Mt Hope Cemetery, not the present day one that is located on Moore Street in Kitchener (behind Central Meat Market grocery store). It was originally called "Greenbush Cemetery" (--more on this in an upcoming post). At any rate, this Mt Hope Cemetery location is where the present day Grand River Hospital is located on King Street and across from Pine Street (see map). Modern day KCI, then, is located just up the street from there (heading toward Kitchener it would be about a block or so up the street to the right of Grand River Hospital (Mount Hope Cemetery on the 1855 map). In the picture of Levi and the schoolhouse we know that it was taken in front of and to the side of the old Berlin High School (KCI). This being the case then, it must certainly have been one of the buildings that are marked above the notation on the map: "To The Grand Trunk Railway." Now looking at the picture of Levi and the map, my guess is that it is one of the clump of three buildings (two others are off-set and further on)--and if I am to go out on a limb, I believe that the schoolhouse (Levi's house)  is the one located at the bottom right hand side of the triangle of the three buildings. I say this because Levi's picture shows a house (building with a chimney) to the right of it and in back of it and another dwelling to the left and in back.
 
Village of Berlin, 1853-4


An interesting note here: at the bottom left and corner of the map, you can see Joseph Schneider's house and even the sawmill is noted. (for more information on Joseph Schneider and the museum, see link at right).

Berlin, 1881


This one appears as if it is on its side but when you read it, it is actually right-side up. An interesting view of how things changed for Berlin about 27 years after the 1853-4 map, above.

3 comments:

  1. This is a great blog! Thank you! You may or may not be aware (you likely are) of a recent article in the Wellington Advertiser about the festival in Drayton and some history which mentions the Aylestock family.http://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/index.cfm?page=detail&itmno=9495

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    1. Thank you for the support! I became aware of Ms. Braithwaite several years ago when I first began to expand my research on the history of the schoolhouse.One breadcrumb leads to the next. And....as my research unfolds, I am so excited to share the untold stories. Regarding the article: I did not know about this particular one so thank you (although the author has covered the festival in previous years--definitely someone who supports their cause).

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  2. Hi Amber,

    Thanks for your comments...actually I was already working on the post for February 7, 2013---It's like you were reading my mind. I also like old maps so I thought I would take the time to explain two of the early maps that were posted here so take a look at Feb 7th's post. You may find it interesting.

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