Pioneer Tower, Kitchener
Photo by Ruth Kinzie
Kitchener’s Pioneer Tower is a frequently photographed landmark. The tower was completed in 1926 to celebrate the German origins of the region, particularly to memorialize the Pennsylvania Dutch and Mennonite settlers who settled here in the early 1800′s. The city of Berlin, Ontario was renamed Kitchener during World War 1 and this tower was built in an effort to heal nationalistic wounds. The architecture is Swiss in influence, as Switzerland is the ancestral home of some Mennonite families in the area.
The tower is often open and the steep steel steps lead to an upper balcony which offers a wide panoramic view of the Grand River and surrounding countryside. At the edge of the bluff is a small pioneer cemetery where members of the Sherk and Betzner families are buried. The Schoerg (Sherk) and Betzner homesteads are nearby and the farmhouses built around 1830 still stand. A small park with some playground equipment is adjacent to the tower. The picture above was taken on a summer evening. Sunrise and sunset light are friends of any photographer who may want to take an exceptional picture of this landmark.
Cost: Free
Nearby attractions: Walter Bean Trail
Thank you for linking our website to the article about the Old Sheave Tower, Blair.
A delightful tea light of the Old Sheave Tower, created by my husband, Lloyd McDonald, is available at http://www.mcdonaldart.com under “Sculptures.”
Prints of Eleanor’s oil painting of Old Sheave Tower are available on the website in various sizes. The 30″x24″ original oil is still available. 519-894-2369.
(Just one correction: The Blair Mill across from the Old Sheave Tower is no longer in operation.)
Lloyd & Eleanor McDonald
November 6, 2009 at 11:59 am
[...] met up with Meghan and Corey in Deer Ridge at the Pioneer Tower in Kitchener for their engagement session. In all the years I’ve lived in the KW area, I had [...]
Meg + Corey • e-session » Lisa Kwan Images
July 28, 2010 at 8:18 am
[...] Here is a photo I posted of the tower in the summer time. [...]
Pioneer Tower Close Up « An Insider's Guide to Waterloo Region
January 6, 2011 at 12:18 am
Do you know when the tower is open? We were there on the weekend and it was locked. My daughter would love to climb it!
sarahmattingley
July 11, 2011 at 5:07 pm
I am sorry I cannot answer your question. I have been there when it is open but lately it has been closed. Perhaps another reader knows the answer.
Ruth
July 19, 2011 at 9:59 pm
The tower is not open to the public on a regular basis but can be opened by advance appointment by calling Woodside National Historic Site. They manage the property and can unlock it for you. Their number is 519-571-5684; dial extension 26.
The tower will be open on Saturday, September 17th 2011 from 10am-5pm as part of “Doors Open Waterloo Region”.
Enjoy your visit!
Caitlin Van Horne
September 13, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Thank you Caitlin!
Ruth
September 13, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Just a quick note to note that the directions have changed. Now you need to turn off King St. E. at Deer Ridge Drive (not Pioneer Tower Road, which is now closed near the tower), and then take that street to Lookout Lane.
James
November 30, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Thanks James. I just updated the map link.
Ruth
November 30, 2011 at 8:54 pm
[...] Pioneer Tower, Kitchener This entry was posted in Architecture, Historical, Kitchener by admin. Bookmark the permalink. [...]
Waterloo Pioneers Memorial Tower | The 100-Mile Tourist
December 2, 2011 at 11:54 am
Near the Pioneer tower there used to be a farm where you could go horseback riding, does anyone know if that is still open? And what the name might be? thanks
Steve Hollis
April 2, 2012 at 10:32 am
[...] The following is a description of the tower from An Insider’s Guide to Waterloo Region. [...]
Pioneer Tower, Kitchener Ontario. « Villagephotography
May 21, 2012 at 4:57 pm