Heritage plaque unveiling for historic German Mills settlement

Waterloo Region – On Saturday, May 6, 2017 the Region of Waterloo, together with the City of Kitchener, will celebrate the historic settlement of German Mills with the unveiling of a new commemorative plaque. Settled in the early 1800s, German Mills was once the centre of a wealthy and populous settlement, where six public highways intersected each other. 

The historic interpretive plaque will commemorate the area’s history, tracing the rich stories of its influential inhabitants, evolving economy, changing names and ultimate absorption into the fabric of the City of Kitchener.  

In addition to the nearby Huron Road Crossroads at Bechtel's Ford plaque, the German Mills plaque is the second produced by the Region of Waterloo’s Heritage Planning Advisory Committee in recognition of the historic settlements that have helped to shape the region’s growth and identity.

“At a time when our community is growing and changing, this is a wonderful opportunity to share the important, yet largely unknown history of the former village of German Mills,” said Regional Chair Ken Seiling.  

Everyone is invited to attend the unveiling ceremony on May 6, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will take place at the location of the new plaque, on the northeast side of the recently reconstructed Manitou Drive bridge at the entrance to the trail that runs parallel to Schneider Creek. The unveiling will include remarks by local and regional representatives, historians, and a descendant from the original families that once called German Mills home.

Following the plaque unveiling, the public is also invited to attend a Jane’s Walk of German Mills beginning at 10:30 a.m. Jane’s Walk is a free annual event honouring the legacy of community builder Jane Jacobs through citizen-led walking tours that encourage participants to observe, reflect, share, question, and collectively reimagine the places in which they live, work and play.

Event details: German Mills plaque unveiling

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2017

Time: 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (Jane’s Walk at 10:30 a.m., meet at the plaque)

Location: Northeast side of the newly reconstructed Manitou Drive bridge at the entrance to the trail that runs parallel to Schneider Creek. Parking is available across the street in the gravel lot south of 33 Manitou Dr. (5 Star Water Solutions). To reach the plaque safely, cross the street at the roundabout at Manitou Drive and Bleams Road.

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For more information please contact:

Lindsay Benjamin at LBenjamin@regionofwaterloo.ca  or 519-575-4757 ext. 3210.