The Forgotten Homes of Kitchener
The Lost Neighbourhoods of the Eby Street and Cedar St Block
Introduction
Since the beginning, the City of Kitchener has been in a constant state of urban transformation and growth. The city has witnessed numerous demolitions of buildings and houses, with the land being repurposed to accommodate contemporary developments. Particularly in the realm of residential structures, there are now homes and addresses in present-day Kitchener that have vanished from existence. This StoryMap aims to commemorate one of these neighbourhoods and the individuals who once inhabited those homes, ensuring that their stories and contributions are not overlooked and fade away into the pages of history.
The Block in Question
The Forgotten Homes of Kitchener tells the story of the Kitchener residents who lived in the neighbourhood block of Eby St and Cedar St. Located in downtown Kitchener near Market Square, half of the neighbourhood block is currently a Kitchener Market and the other half is a Condominium Complex. The block is bordered by Duke St, Eby St, King St East, and Cedar St.
The Vernon City Directory lists the residents of this neighbourhood block with addresses ranging from 41-57 Elgin St, Southside; 12-28 Eby St North, Eastside; 146-168 King St East, Northside; and 20-42 Cedar St North, Westside.
(L): 1908 City of Kitchener Fire Insurance Plan | (R): 2018 Google Earth bird's eye view
Development Timeline
1945
At this time, residences surround the neighbourhood block as it had been since the early 1900s. According to the map of the 1908 City of Kitchener Fire Insurance Plan, there is a building surrounded by residences which was a Coca-Cola factory.
1955
Aside from trees growing, very little has changed in the neighbourhood block over the decade.
1967
By this time, the Coca-Cola factory had been demolished and left with an open space.
1971
A parking lot was built on the site of the old Coca-Cola factory, and residential buildings were beginning to be demolished.
1980
In 1980, the parking lot was expanded to the north. Other neighbourhood blocks have seen considerable changes compared to 1971 with new buildings being erected.
1990
By the 1990s, half of the buildings in this neighbourhood were demolished and converted into parking lots or were under construction.
2006
After 16 years, the majority of the block has been fully developed, replacing empty lots with a condominium complex. The Kitchener Market was built on the site of the old Coca-Cola factory.
2018
Most of the buildings have been modernized and many traces seem to have disappeared in the past.
