A Time in History - Reaching Out to the Modern Waterloo of 2011

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by: preyank4u
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Word Count: 646
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2011 Time: 5:49 AM

It had taken Abraham Erb and his wife Magdalena one month by oxen driven wagon to arrive at a marshy low-lying cedar swamp of Upper Canada in May of 1806. They came from Franklin County, Pennsylvania to their new property near Sand Hills. Abraham’s brother, John Erb, the originator of Preston, Ontario was adamant that his brother reconsider and sell this worthless swampy land. John wanted Abraham and Magdalena to put down roots in the Grand Speed River region. Abraham was determined that he would succeed in the clearing of the land and draining the swamp. This land eventually became the village of Waterloo.

Two years after his arrival Abraham had constructed a sawmill powered by Beaver Creek the source of his swampy marsh. Roadways were built connecting the new mill site with the farms surrounding the Eby settlement, known as Eby's Town and later Berlin/Kitchener. Evidence of these links has been discovered during road construction projects.

In the ensuing year of 1816 Abraham built a grist mill further serving the needs of the settlers sparing them the long walk of about 35 miles to Dundas for their milling needs. There was disappointment by the incomers however as Abraham did not wish to sell plots of land in this area that was quickly becoming a valued establishment.

Jacob C. Snider and Jacob S. Shoemaker, trustees of a common school district, were awarded land by Abraham who conveyed to them five acres, 1 rood and 25 perches in 1820. The land near Church Street, now Central Street was to be used for a school house, meeting house and graveyard. In 1842 the log house was replaced by a stone schoolhouse and the log house was moved and served as a residence for 50 years. This log school has been preserved and relocated to Waterloo Park.

January 2011 - Had it not been for Abraham Erb’s tenacity and having listened to his brother, what would Waterloo be today? What we do know is what it has become; a vibrant city anchored by financial giants of the Insurance world, globally renown Universities and what is known as the brain Goliath of the Canadian technology circles with the likes of firms such as Research in Motion (AKA RIM) and many others of this discipline.

What about living and investing here? Complete with amenities that are the envy of many cities, Waterloo is a place to settled in, raise families and prosper. As one of the largest cities of the Waterloo Region, Waterloo boasts a growth in real estate solidifying property values. The city has been part of the 2010 increase in housing starts of the Waterloo Region; the largest growth in five years. Identifying three key areas we note that the Lincoln Heights area has seen an increase of 33% in housing unit sales and an 11% gain in property values. Westmount was down in unit sales but property values are up by 37%. Laurelwood also had less homes sell in 2010 but here again property values jumped by 12.6%. Overall in the KW market prices were up by 9.3% over 2009. Does that not speak volumes for living here and equity building; including in the real estate market?

Give me a call at (519) 577-8181 or contact me at http://www.kwrealestatebroker.com and I will be pleased to introduce you to the city and to the real estate market. Maybe you are not in the market but someone in your circle of influence may be. "I'd be happy to help your family and friends who are looking to buy or sell real estate. I will always safe guard the trust you extend to me as no greater compliment can be paid than to be introduced by you."

Denis Pellerin, Sales Representative
"Your Source" for Real Estate in the Waterloo Region
Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty Brokerage

About the Author

With Over 20 years of corporate business management experience Denis Pellerin, Sales Representative for Coldwell Baner Peter Benninger Realty can assist you with any real estate requirements. Kitchener real estate Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph Ontario are his areas of expertise. Visit Denis Pellerins website for Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph & Waterloo real estate listings kwrealestatebroker.com

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