Brantford, Kitchener and Waterloo

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Brantford, Kitchener and Waterloo

Brantford, county seat of Brant county and located on the Grand River, was named for Joseph Brant, noted Mohawk chief. White settlement began here in 1818, the town was incorporated in 1847 and Brantford became a city in 1877. Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, once lived in Brantford and the old Bell Homestead is still preserved. The manufactures of Brantford include farm machinery and other engineering products, hardware, tools, roofing, cordage, textiles, clothing, flour and feed. The Six Nations Indian Reserve is nearby. During World War II, Brantford was an airforce training centre. The population of Brantford in 2006 was 90,192, (124,607 in the "greater city"), most of whom are Canadian born, whose ancestors came from the British Isles.

Kitchener and Waterloo

Including Kitchener (204,668), Waterloo (97,475), Bridgeport, and the adjoining urbanized parts of Waterloo Township, the Kitchener-Waterloo conurbation in 2006 contained a population of over 300,000. Lying side by side, they are traversed by the same main street and the visitor is not conscious that there are two municipalities. The area was settled about 1805 by people of German ancestry from Pennsylvania. The village of Waterloo grew up around the Union Flour Mills established in 1816. The village was incorporated in 1857 and became a town in 1876. It was declared a city in 1947. As a small crossroads hamlet, Kitchener was early known as Sand Hills or Mount Pleasant.

In 1830 it received a number of settlers from Germany and had its name changed to Berlin. It became a village in 1854, a town in 1871 and a city in 1912. Its name was changed to Kitchener in 1916. The ascendency of Kitchener probably arose from the fact that it was chosen as the county town and it received railroad service first. The "Twin Cities" constitute an exceedingly well built and prosperous appearing urban area. More than 80% of the people live ill single, detached dwellings, the majority of which are owned by their occupants.

A highly diversified manufacturing industry is found here. In Kitchener the most important lines are: tires and rubber goods, textiles and clothing, leather, footwear, furniture, beverages, machinery, radios and electrical appliances. Waterloo has factories producing furniture, bedding, brooms, brushes, hardware, gloves, toys, threshing machines, footwear and beverages.