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Kitchener:
An Illustrated History
by John English & Kenneth McLaughlin
The history of Kitchener is unique among cities in southern Ontario. Until 1916, Kitchener was Berlin, "Canada's German capital." More than two-thirds of the residents were of German origin and many retained the traditions of their heritage. These became controversial when Canada found itself at war with Germany. By the middle of the First World War, the idea of a "patch of Germany" in the heart of Ontario became untenable. Berlin became Kitchener but not without a battle which split the small city.
This handsomely illustrated account traces the development of Kitchener from the early Mennonite settlers and the influx of German craftsmen, the rise of local industries that made the town prosperous, the impact of two world wars and the Depression, to the modern period, when Kitchener became more like other southern Ontario cities, only to rediscover the German roots it celebrates each year with Oktoberfest.
Two walking tours, with maps, guide readers around Kitchener's most historic neighbourhoods, with descriptions of notable heritage buildings.
The Authors
John English recently returned to his position as Professor of History at the University of Waterloo after serving as Member of Parliament for Kitchener. Since the original publication of Kitchener: An Illustrated History, he has published the much-acclaimed two-volume biography of Lester Pearson and he is the co-author of Canada: 1900-1945.
Kenneth McLaughlin is Professor of History at St. Jerome's College in the University of Waterloo, where he has been Chair of History and more recently Vice President and Academic Dean. He has published extensively in Canadian history and has been active in heritage restoration and in the museum field in Canada and the United States.
John English and Kenneth McLaughlin were awarded the Canadian Historical Association Regional History Certificate of Merit for Kitchener: An Illustrated History.
The Cover Artist
The painting of the Joseph Schneider Haus c.1850 on the cover is by the distinguished artist Peter Etril Snyder. His gallery is at 59 Erb Street East in Waterloo, Ontario.
Publication History
Since the first edition of this book was published by Wilfrid Laurier University Press in 1983, it has become a hard-to-find collector's item. This new edition contains the text of the original, with a new conclusion bringing the history up to date, as well as many new photos, some of which have come to light since the first edition was published. The Walking Tours are a significant new addition that will enable readers to explore and appreciate Kitchener's historic neighbourhoods.
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