Having been born in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, I feel that I have a very strong insight into what exactly makes up a person from Cambridge. Being born a couple of years after Galt, Preston, Hespeler and Blair were forced to amalgamate, I know we have our quirks. Even within our own neighbourhoods we have certain things that make us unique not only in Canada, but in this region.
You know you are from Cambridge when…
- You can navigate your way through the Delta with ease.
- It isn’t a grocery bag, or a plastic shopping bag, it’s a Zehrs bag and no matter where you are in the world, it will always be a Zehrs bag
- You know at least one person (maybe even you) who has driven in the “baja” and lived to tell about it
- You can still remember the distinctive musk of roller skates at The Forum
- You remember that Galt, Preston and Hespeler all had at least one bowling alley and you secretly wish you could still bowl there one last time.
- You went dancing at Styles, Highlands or The Time Club and still remember how amazing they were and wish we had something that great again.
- Going to Sportsworld meant more than just shopping.
- You don’t even bat an eye when driving under the train bridge on Samuelson Street.
- You wish the movie theatre would bring back “Twoonie Tuesday”
- It will always be “Hostess” no matter the name on the front lawn and you can tell which chips they are making by the smell in the air on a nice summer night.
- You or someone you know is building cars at the Toyota factory as you read this.
- You’re still mourning the closure of the 7-11 in Preston.
- When travelling through Canada or abroad you tell people you are from West of Toronto, in Ontario you are from Cambridge, but in Cambridge you are from Galt, Preston, Hespeler, or Blair (bonus points if you include the area of Galt, Preston or Hespeler you are from.)
- You secretly get annoyed by comments regarding different weather patterns in different areas of town. “It’s always sunny in Galt” or “Always 2 degrees colder on the other side of the 401” Just never sat right with you.
- You loathe driving on Hespeler Road or the 401 and do everything to avoid it including driving through parking lots and behind buildings when needed.
- You complained about the roundabouts but now that they are here you secretly love driving through them and envision yourself as a race car driver.
- You know exactly who John Bell is and realize you haven’t thought about him in years.
- You’ve watched the Cambridge Winter Hawks and/or the Hornets bring home a cup.
- You know we have two different boys hockey organizations and two different Santa Claus parades but after ‘73 you figure it’s easiest to just let them be.
- In high school you hung out in the smoking area even if you didn’t smoke because that was where everyone was (doesn’t matter which school).
- You still refer to Cambridge Centre as the John Galt Mall.
- As soon as Spring starts you wonder why LA Franks isn’t open yet?
- You wish the Sunset Drive-In never left because watching movies in your car behind Ashley Furniture is kind of awkward.
- It’s still a shock to the system to not find animals in Riverside Park and instead see a bike park.
- You’ve sat at the light at the Delta for what felt like 3 hours waiting for a train to cross Hespeler Road.
- You weirdly take pride in the fact you can get the freshest bags of Doritos around.
- Everyone has a story about the “Flood of ‘74”.
Photo from the Cambridge Fire Hall Museum Collection
- Even if you move to another part of town, the part you grew up in is still the best.
- You rode the escalator at The Right House.
- You know what’s really underneath Wedges & Woods.
- You see old pictures of the Preston Springs Hotel and wonder if it will ever regain it’s former glory.
- You took a special trip to see the bull on top of PHS (bonus points if you know how it got up there).
- You have checked out the sculpture garden or are completely in denial that we have a sculpture garden at all. There is no in between.
- You have driven up to Langdon Hall only to turn around and leave again without stepping inside.
- You know at least one useless fact about Cambridge that you are proud of (Mine is that David Letterman talked about Cambridge, Ontario as being the donut and coffee shop world capital as we had the most per capita.)
- You want the LRT because Kitchener and Waterloo are getting it, but aren’t sure if you will actually ever use it.
- You risked your life by biking along Hespeler Road in a live lane and vowed never to do that again.
- You have canoed down the Grand River to Paris at least once.
- You remember doing “ball throw” as part of track and field in elementary school. Bonus points if you were actually really good at it.
- You participated in the “Skating Races” and can still hear echos of the “Clap” to start the race.
- You thought tobogganing in Dickson Park was too easy and wanted more of a challenge.
- You went to toboggan at Churchill Park and realized it was too much of a challenge.
- You know exactly where “Hill 60” is and wonder why they had to ruin it by building houses.
- Your new Toyota Corolla has the freshest new car smell money can buy.
via Gfycat - You’ve sat and savoured an ice cream cone in Mill Race Park.
- You remember the Sunnyview Dairy Bar and still believe it had the best ice cream in town.
- Going to the Fall Fair is guaranteed to have you run into at least 20 people you know (whether you want to or not).
- You resent being called the armpit of Waterloo Region.
- You go to the river at least once every spring to see if the water will get as high as it was in ‘74 and are thankful that it hasn’t yet.
- Two words: “Dickie Dee”.
- You get a jolt of pleasure seeing our city on the big and small screen. (Handmaid’s Tale, American Gods, Silent Hill, Murdoch Mysteries, Saint Ralph and Bitten just to name a few).
- And finally, you have read through this list and nodded your head more than 10 times.
Think my list is missing something? Leave a message in the comments and let me know your answer to “You know you’re from Cambridge when”.
Update August 16, 2017
Here’s a clip of Corina on 570 News talking about the list.
Sitting on the wall at Dairy Queen in Preston.
Swimming at the outdoor pools in the summer Hancock, Riverside, Soper Park, Eddie’s.
Dancing at Leisure Lodge with Johnny K.
Gr. 5 Swimming Lessons at the Y
Buying cheese at the market from a vendor who had been slicing cheese for decades, but always managed to cut it a bit bigger than you really wanted it.
Daily Reporter delivered to your home (and not tossed in your driveway or on the front lawn).
Love all the public outdoor swimming pools in this town!
Let’s not forget….Tiger Brand sweatshirts and sweatpants. (Roots and Beaver Canoe seconds)
If you’ve had apple dumplings at the Farmers Market in Galt.
Mmm…the best. Used to treat myself on a Wednesday when I worked at CODA. (another memory: when Luther wood was CODA).
Yes!!!
None better anywhere. Oh sorry, other than in Preston at Trillium Church! ??
North Cambridge Dirt Rider’s track.
Drag racing down Conestoga Blvd past Walker’s Exhaust factory.
Cheese Factory Rd.
Parties at the Crown Land.
Emerald Lake.
Lulu’s !
Fishing at Puslinch lake… Shades mills conservation area or the Mill Pond in Beaverdale/ Hespeler
Swimming under the drums at Barbers Beach..and banging my head…yikes NO OXYGEN!!..
Dances at Barbers…
Clem McPherson Galt POLICE
BW LINCOLNS fastball – Jerry Hopcraft
GALT SLEES… Abby Baker
Lincoln Park gang
LOFTS STORE iconic
Gave credit on groceries
DIXON Dairy
The milkman Clate Burgess..horse drawn wagon
the BIG Z….ZELLERS
John Galt centre…1st big joint in GALT
Mrs Lahey
Stewart Avenue folks thee Best!!
Catching carp at Tutton farm
Falling thru ice Tuttons farm
Running from Mr Tutton
The Grand River..falling thru ice
Hockey at Tuttons
GPSS
MR Rope…Mrs Rope
The Grand River live bands in 1980s and on
GEORGES
FALL FAIR
Shades St arena…Sat night hockey
Summer…roller skating
Rejection in girl boy skate…?
Try try again
Racing around roller skating backwords
dee Lee N roulettes at GLENVIEW
XL Band…
Being a wall flower
Swimming hole Dunbar road & hespeler road
Going to Ballingers danceteria and videoteque on a Thursday Ladies night in the 80s to dance and watch the biggest video screen in Canada!!!
Devils Caves, walking the bridge to GCI, Queen Square YMCA, Spencer Dalton Pharmacy at Queen Square, Pepi’s Pizza, The rocket at Churchill park…I could go on all day!
Shhh..Devils cave is a secret! ?
Eskimo days being pulled behind a truck on a toboggan on the grand river above the dam and collecting wooden mickels every year from the event, snowmobiling on puslinch lake,
Hot dog at the little stand on Shade street.
Marching to Dickson Park and singing with the other schools
Collecting newspapers and taking them to Springs Junk Yard for money
So many great memories as we grew up
The Matador
Leisure Lodge
O’Tooles
Burger King with a security guard
(especially needed when the bars closed, RIP Dr D)
Bluff’s Subs ?
Walking/biking the trail from Hespeler to riverside park in Preston, Sitting and relaxing in the amphitheater behind GCI, Skipping school and going to Hart to Hart donuts in West Galt. 🙂 I am so missing home!! 🙂 Thank you for this post and all the great memories!! 🙂
Andy’s pizza , George’s, Woolco in Galt , walking the train bridge to GCI , parkhill variety , the buck , Nicholson Tavern in Blair , Lulus …and many more
I remember George’s!! The best Sou Guy Almond!!!
Remember the Log Cabin on Hespler Rd. and their foot long hotdogs. The drive in theater out on Hespler Rd.
The escalator was in Woolco. I remember shutting it off once. Lol. Great list!!! We used to toboggan down Churchill Park hills all the time! Thank you!! Oh treasure hunting at the dump on Saturdays. The Mennonites coming to tear down Silknit.
Escalator at Wilco?? I know that there was one at the Right House…1st in Halt.
Hearing the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, and thinking “we have an Orchestra?”. Bonus that’s it’s pay-as-you-can. Love the Nutcracker!!
Cafe 13 when it was packed , Nick’s tavern in Blair, dairy Queen wall in preston, fall fair at Dickson park , Canaveral games when there were many buses , Sam’s after roller skating at Dickson arena , otoole s in its hayday
I made the list!! #itsalwayssunnyinGalt
I knew you’d be all over that one Mike
The different layouts of the Cambridge Centre over the years; penny candy at J&B Variety; treats from Reid’s Candy and Nut Shop; the Christmas tree outside Cambridge Memorial; walking down to Westgate Plaza from Southwood for lunch; when the Shoppers was on the corner of Main and Ainslie; the Royal Hotel in Galt (which is now a Coffee Culture); Fast Eddie’s crazy fries; trick or treating on Lansdowne (where all the good stuff was!); Sportsworld and the old Moose Winooskis; the games/jungle gym portion of The Forum
Working the grill at the lunch counter in Zellers at John Galt
Feeling like a criminal driving the wrong way when they changed the direction of traffic at the Water St split.
The Pig’s Ear 😀
Lived on that block. Bill’s Booth, Legion. What was the name of the Barber Shop on Water St?
Got it! It was Everett’s Barber Shop.
You can remember eating at the log restaurant at the corner of 24 & Bishop, when they were still dirt roads.
You knew that TV sportscasters Brenda Irving, Randy Steinman and Jeff Hutchison were all from Preston.
You can name all six of the Cambridge exits off the 401 when driving eastbound from London.
You knew someone whose street name had to be changed when the three communities amalgamated.
You can still remember the approximate spot where Leisure Lodge used to be.
The fact that the food court in our mall is shaped like a slice of pizza.
The Matador, Ponderosa, flip chips at Reid’s, Marge’s pizza, the walkathon, Can-Amera games
So, what really is underneath the Wedges and Woods?
A whole lot of garbage. It used to be the dump. You’ll notice they have all those whirligigs along Can-Amera that vent the methane that builds up from decomposition.
The CanAmera games, leaving to go to Saginaw on the buses from Dickson Park or John Galt Mall…..hanging out at the Greenway Park then heading over to Becker’s for a Jungle Juice and 25 cent bag of Hostess chips it the shiny paper bag…..Knob Hill Farms…Cambridge Twin Cinemas in Hespeler where you had to stand for O Canada video on the screen before the movie started…it can go on and on
Roller skating at Dickson. Fries at the lunch counter at Woolco. Blair road school only to grade 5. Sunset blvd and clearview ending at Blair road school. Soooo many things.
All the great Bands and musicians that came out of Cambridge, Hespeler,Galt, and Preston, especially the Bands that I was a part of who played all over Cambridge, they all left such fantastic memories. The speed river, and the gang, in Hespeler where I spent most of my young life on; with the gang. Hespeler’s old boy reunions; when you could find out just how many of your old friends are still here or gone. The Hespeler Arena. The log Cabin where I spent most of my teenage years; They did have the best foot long Hot Dogs around. I know cause I ate so many of them. All the great people of Hespeler; some real good friends and some not. All I know is I’m so blessed to call and be living in, what my Dear Mom and Dad used to call it, The most Beautiful little town that they have ever seen; Hespeler. My Home Town.
watching a movie at the theater in down town Galt and saturday morning Reid’s for flip chips….This is when it was great to walk around down town Galt….Ali Baba and T N Sun. Tu Lane Dominion grocery store at the galt mall along with small stores. And of course the famous hangout O’Tooles…. We have lost so much over the years. Wish we could thrive like this again….
Dee &Lee and the Roulettes, Tops Restaurant, Dianna Restaurant, lasky’s Furs, Bueler’s Meats, Despond’s Fish Store, witter’s Book Store…and you know where the cupola in at the top of Main Street came from, and you know exactly where the Crescent is.
Love it!!
you know who officer shuttleworth is; taking the elevator to the toy floor at Walkers;
The elevator in Walkers – now you are talking most people now don’t even know where Walker’s was! Cafe 13 in downtown Galt for those who don’t remember or know.
Frankie Montero and mike Mann
Steak on a bun from Carl’s. Never been successfully duplicated.
I still think that Carl’s had a better foot long with fried onions than the Log Cabin. Yum
Concession Street in Preston was the edge of town.
The failed army parachute jump at Langs farm. Look it up!
Speed River water turning whatever colour of dye was being flushed out in the raceway at Pattisons Mill
Kress Hotel. The one that should have survived.
The White Derby
Getting a sasparilla at the Tea Rooms made by Mr. Collins.
No such thing as a pizza restaurant existed. Nor did Thai, Indian, Greek or any other culture restaurants. I am thankful for that changing.
Ice Cream Sodas. Root Beer was my favourite. These were available in a lot of restaurants.
The movie theater in Preston. Cost about a dime to get in or if you were clever enough, sneak in.
Moffat’s Grocery Store at the corner if King and Argyle
Non homogenized milk delivered to your home by horse and wagon. Everyone had a kitchen tool that allowed Moms to get the cream off for whipped cream or before drinking it you had to shake the bottle to make whole milk. P.S. Yes, milk only came in bottles.
Setting up pins at Archie’s downstairs bowling alley or just playing pool there or at Rustys. Both were on King St. Preston.
Roller skating at the Preston Arena every Friday night in the summer. The Forum came much later.
PhysEd was mandatory and tough. Only those with Doctors notes could avoid it.
I GUESS BY NOW YOU KNOW I AM A VERY SENIOR CITIZEN.
I can remember most of what you said but i think it’s concession road, and i think you might have a couple years on me lol….
I think the first restaurant pizza we ever had was at Mother’s. And you had to line up forever to get a table. (Same at the Ponderosa. And Swiss Chalet. And at the bank. And the doctor’s office. We did a lot of waiting.)
I loved that elevator ! thanks for the memory
Rollerskating at Dickson, and dancing at the disc. The Holey bridge. The purple pool hall, Pepi’s pizza hoagies, sneaking into the Sunset drive in. There was so much to do as a teenager in the ’70’s!
Eating fish and chips or breakfast at barnacle Bills, the Lion’s head entrance at Leo the Lion’s, The Capitol theatre, the old pool halls (Purple Pool Hall, the one across from the bus station, Landry’s Video, the originals Mother’s Pizza.
Carl’s Tavern, corner of Hespeler Rd. and Eagle. Nicholson’s Tavern, Blair Rd. Friday night roller skating at the old Hespeler Arena. Savette, Miracle Mart, and K Mart and already mentioned by others…..Sunset Drive-In.
I was just thinking about Carl’s. he passed away recently. We would go disco dancing there. LOL
The Right House’; grassy fields instead of the Walmart & etcetera stores dotting a few asphalt acres!
Love reading all these and remembering. How about Gamble’s restaurant, the wading pool at Riverside Park, playing ‘chestnuts’ in grade school, the Frost Stop ( between Cambridge and Kitchener) Eat and Putt, the Big Dipper?
Wow everyone has nailed coverage of Cambridge! Scott’s soft ice cream, Hwy 8 and Main and the clubs! Never bored!
bowling at Dickson Bowl when it was on Dickson St; big pool and little pool at the YMCA – preferred the little pool
flashing red/amber light in the centre of the intersection of the back Hespeler Rd & what’s now Pinebush Rd
No mention at all of the Rocket in Churchill Park. Come on now.
Just thought of the drive up A&W on Hespler Rd. Didn’t see that mentioned.
All such good memories but you can tell what decade some of us are from. My best memories are the original Mother’s pizza, Red Lobster and McDonalds when BHespeler Road was bare (I was really young). The Forum for rollerskating and Styles for dances. The Time club and Kelsey’s. I The right House and Woolco. Pizza Delight by Southwood. Sunset Drive Inn (saw Star Wars).
Love it that Dickie Dee made the list.
Thank you !
We were one of the last 12 distribution venue’s out of 3000 across Canada.
Miss those days.
What’s under wedges an woods??
use to be the city dump at one time.
Harvey’s hamburgers on Water street, Wesselings Audio, The Bi-Way where Giant Tiger is on Main street, Algonquin Hotel, Dominion grocery store in the Main street mall, Zip Zip 4 (local 80’s band) Franklin Boulevard was called “the back Hespeler Rd., The girls school that use to be just off Hespeler Rd.
How about roller skating at the end of Duke Street and Bishop Street in Preston when the arena burnt down.
Hanging out downtown galt on saturdays, TigerBrand, Records On Wheels, buying cotton candy @ John Galt Mall, Capital Theater where movies were $1, pool halls, milkshakes and fries @ Woolco sitting on their red stools! Diana’s fries and gravy. Tim hortons @ the delta on lunch breaks from school, sneaking into drive-in, getting in to bars underage, so much to do back then. The list could go on and on
Until 2001, there was a huge 200 year old oak tree growing in the middle of the road on Flora st off of Main st, I still miss it whenever I pass through town
What?!?! No mention of Marge’s Pizza!?!?!?
Ballingers, celebrating anniversaries and birthdays at Tien sun, Snow days at the old Benny’s before they build all the houses and changed the entrance; Saturday public ice skating at Dickson arena.
The anchor at Soper Park, swimming at Soper park unsupervised! Long John.Silver’s fish n chips on hespeler rd. The man made ice rink at Greenway Park. Oh! The home for the priest’s..
Surrounded by a rock wall just outside of soper.park.
Omg. The anchor…I’d almost forgotten it. Is it. Still there?
The man on the bike, who dressed as a lady
That was John Bell!!!
you know that without any doubt what so ever, that Reids Chocolate makes the best chocolate in Ontario under the traditional chocolate shop category.
I cannot dispute that. I’m torn if I love their “turtles” or their strawberry cremes better…
Playing catch in Soper park, cruising Main St in Galt on Saturday nights, Adlers ( loved that store) and Goetz pharmacy on Queen St. in Hespeler, Wilke’s variety and IGA in Hespeler before the colonnade, old TD bank where the farmers market is held now.
Remembering the red barn restaurant on Hespler Hwy
These are all great! Loved reading them! Brought back lots of memories.
How about the Scout House Band in Preston and Kralinator Filters?
Cheese factory trails behind monsignor Doyle
A&W on hespler Rd was a drive up and they came out to your car. And the old tiger brand outlet on the corner of water and main St
In school trying to come up with the name when Galt, Preston, Hesperia became one
Collecting wire from the bell and making bracelets lol
I can happily admit to doing this a lot in the 80s. Using recycled materials before it was cool!
Biway stores, bargin Harold, the fire at tops restaurant, Elias big boy restaurant, only 1 tiger brand location on water street having everything including the store in its location on the 2nd floor. Henry and Suzy at BoBos restaurant in the overland hotel! Grant and Blackwell furniture having more than 1 location and truck load sales of the same furniture sets everyone had!!!
Henning’s Restaurant
Excellent addition. My faves were the footlong hotdog and banana milkshakes.
Five words – Bush Party at The Kent!
Went to the “Castle” also known as GCI & VS and is a proud Ghost…..and yes the place is actually haunted with spirits!
Valdi’s, Consumers Distributing, Buns Master, House of Hot Dogs
Oh Bunsmaster, how I wish you would come back to Cambridge. Consumers Distributing is a good option too. How do I not know where the “House of Hot Dogs” was?
West side, being able to walk to tait street school from 4th ave never having to leave the forest, fishing at the foot bridge, Barton’s and Branson’s, Chaz’s billiards, Tracy’s video, 24A, Mr.Subs, King’s, pop shoppe store, full block participation hide and seek. Griffith sports and buying guns without locks and cases lol. The lunch counter at Logels garage. Et cetera ….a grand town and time to grow up in.
Saturday night at the Galt ARENA watching the Galt Hornets win the Allen Cup
.
Hill 60
A&W drive in restaurant, Long John Silver, Consumers Distributing, Carl’s restaurant, The Petting Zoo at Riverside Park…I am liking all the comments. So many good memories.
you remember hill top fish and chips
Do you remember Leisure Lodge and the Matador lodge and Gandies Varity store and the Tea Room and the Paris Shop and Sid Sommers and I could go on… lol
Not only Nick’s Tavern but Nick’s on a Thurs night. If you didn’t go early you had to stand. Sitting on the wall across from Harvey’s on Water Street. When the Iroquois hotel burned down. Smitty’s Pancake House was busy that day. Penny candy in a brown bag. Grand River Shopping Centre. Hornet’s games with the squish piles at each end of the Shade Street arena. Loft’s Variety. Burger Chef. Andy’s pizza. Albion Hotel where food Basics is now on the corner of Parkhill and Water. The Centennial fountain being built. The lunch counter at FW Woolworth’s on Main Street. Leckie’s shoes. The shoe repair man behind the bus terminal. NIck was there last but before there is was Sam.
Almost checked Barrie Ford into The Iroquois the Saturday night it burnt down … he was so drunk.
Being let out of school at GCI on the day of the flood, too late to cross bridge to get home. No choice but the train bridge – scary stuff. Parties behind the school. Stopping at DQ in the middle of cross country run during gym
Watching a ball game, sitting in the bleachers at Dixon Park, the Centennial Sing in 1967 when Blair Road school only went to grade three. I was in grade three at Blair Road School at the time and every school was to be included in the sing. The football game between GCI and Glenview under the lights at Dixon Park.
The pad at the end of Duke St roller skating , the Bear @Riverside Park. Al’s fish and Chips wrapped in newspapers. Lou’s Variety,Paul Goddard .
i remember when that bear @ riverside park clawed through a buddies hand. ouch
The best Chinese Food ever – the Tien Sun on Hespeler Road..
I was a kid when I left and have not lived in Canada for 43 years, but I still remember the Tien Sun. GREAT FOOD!
How about the train crash on the bridge near GCI? The Scout House band? Sat AM Odeon @ the Palace theatre.
Roller skating at Galt arena gardens. Circus held there as well.
Big wooden boat at Dickson school, Wayne Gretzky playing ball at Water Works Park, Kings Burgers and the best gravy ever. Sunny’s Gas Station,Band Shelter at Victoria park and the rumours of crazy people living in the woods there. Knotty Pine restaurant,
The real test of whether you can swim or not was making it to the high diving board at Barber’s Beach.
George’s , Marge’s Pizza, Al’s Fish & Chips, Carl’s Restaurnat
Warm Flip Chips downtown galt.
The Knotty Pine had the best desserts, hot chocolate and cinnamon toast. Who didn’t toss a coin into the wishing pool down in the gift shop?
Cambridge also had the longest running gay bar in the entire region. Thanks Annie.
I had my birthday party at the Pioneer Barbecue back in the early sixties and played out back in the in ground trampoline pits. That was long before it was moved off of ‘highway eight’. Holy cow, I’m old!
Al’s Fish and Chips, wrapped in newspaper – on concession street, Preston. Fortes fruit and vegetables – corner of King and Lowther – so many new and exotic tastes to enjoy!
I miss 7-eleven,biway,pepis pizza, bingo tent at riverside,during the carnival, petty zoo at riverside, buns master bakery,someone bring back 7-eleven, it is really missed. And most of all the suns drive in on a hot summer night. wow how time goes by.I also miss biking to Hespeler from Preston on my bmx, would not dare try that now.Swimming in the falls behind American Standard.
How about Dots Fish & Chips on, Grand Ave., the Ponderosa, Hespeler Rd/24, and across from the Buck, a booth to get your cleats put on you leather shoes or have a new soles put on your shoes …….. Man these were great to read. There was a comment about Saturday nights and cruising Main St. Many a challenge to run the 1/4 mile out Rubber Road……….Anyone here know where that is? I was a flag girl 🙂
I can’t believe I forgot to mention The Buck. Should have had it read “Two more words: The Buck”.
And the Shake Shack!
That shoemaker was my Grampa – Alfred Little!! Spent many happy days sorting leather heels in that shed.
The three big fountains in the corner of hespeler Rd and eagle. And when there was that big grocery store (forget the name now), where the Home Depot is. We used to gather the carts and bring them back to get the nickels out of them!
The store was Knob Hill Farms. It would be good to get the water flowing again so visitors don’t think we idolize three giant bottle openers.
Log Cabin on Hespeler Road
You might be from Cambridge (and be over a certain age) if:
— you went everywhere by bike
— you remember not only Walkers but the Stripe Store and People’s in downtown Galt
— you had shoes from the Savage Shoes outlet
— if you had a bunch of stuff, your mother would say “put it in an Allen-Bradley box”
— you saw your first Disney movies in Kitchener, and bought back to school clothes at Simpson-Sears
— you sat on the floor upstairs at the old YMCA to watch Pippi Longstocking
— you remember Constable Vinandy or Mr. Lethbridge the music teacher coming to your classroom
— you knew somebody who had been on Romper Room
— you had to explain why you were born at South Waterloo Memorial Hospital
— you ever phoned in to a CFTJ radio contest
— you bought candy at the Hilltop Variety or the Shopette at the corner of Lincoln and Pollock
John Bell – I know the name, it stirred something from childhood, but I don’t for the life of me know who he was. Can anyone elaborate?
Great list though, very Cambridge.
Leo Lions store and the day the Iroquois hotel burnt down. I also think the rent a freezer space on Grand Ave. should be here. One last thing was the big air raid siren at Central Public School in Galt.
Major Hooples Boarding House
Ya…..AWESOME LOCAL BAND?
Anyone remember FJ (Fleming Jensen) and the Impressions?
Was a student at Southwood when they came there to play. Also saw them at the Matador Tavern on Hespeler Rd
Hi Ken, you mentioned Major Hooples, the drummer Rick Riddell, was my brother. he passed away 7 years ago. Nice hearing that they group was mentioned, they were a great band & yes out at the Matador, was a great place to play he always told me. 🙂
Brad, when and where, MHBH……Matador maybe? my brother was the drummer.
Yes think it was there.
Anybody remember the “Blue Room” next to Griffiths Sports?
A small watering hole:)
Go Kart track near Sunset drive-in
Barbers Beach was mentioned and other swimming areas, how about Willow Lake………..another beach free and great to swim in, the other side of the 401 & same side as Conestoga College. How many remember, should go for a drive and see if its still their, does anyone know? Thanks for all your posts, keep them coming.
Willow lake is not there anymore. They built high end housing on it. Opened the dam and let it drain.
Carl’s Tavern for their specialty steak sandwich. Al’s Fish and Chips on Concession Street. Preston Scout House Band. Marjorie Dalton’s Santa Claus Parade with children’s fairy tales and storybook characters made out of paper mache. Tin roof ice cream sundaes at the Dianna Restaurant. Army cadets at GCI. CYA dances. YMCA dances. Everyone shopped downtown and the folks in the stores knew your name. Pautler’s Store in Preston. Feeding a carrot to the mailman’s horse on the way to school.
And Hennings Drive in on Clyde Road and cherry cokes
the 100th birthday of the old Hespeler public school – giant cake!
Seeing Santa at the scout house after the Hespeler parade.
Jim kroph and the Hespeler school choir.
Realizing that your math teacher – mr.jull – was the pianist for the Hespeler school choir.
Papous place – best subs ever.
Spring flooding at black bridge.
The Olympic torch running through downtown Hespeler.
Forbes park band stand.
The ‘Dr’s office path’
what was the name of the Sub shop best subs eer ( buy one get one free Monday’s) and ice cream shop corner of Pinebush & Franklin there use to be line ups out door
What’s it called Town & Country
Modern Appliances, imperiums to order, greystones restaurant in preston, 3 amigos pool hall, “the dairy” variety store on Chalmers, driving fast down alps road, crazy close calls on Avenue road, ghost riding bikes in soper park
Actually Imperiums to order was in Kitchener. It was RAFM miniatures that was in Galt
I bought a ton of RAFM they would be off the market now, (Lead) I do miss Imperiums too….
sorry to necro a post, I used to buy a lot from RAFM as well, still have a bright yellow catalog somewhere. I looked them up online and they are in Brantford now
This article made me smile and remember great times. Thank you. One other thing to know you’re from Cambridge. Playing in the gravel pit at the Walter St. dead end. Even if you weren’t from the neighbourhood, your had friends or family in the area.
Lincoln Avenue Public SchoolJack (Robbie)Robertson-Principal,Hadlands Variety Store
For those who liked fast cars, Saturday night was always great in Galt, in the 60’s, with all the muscle cars driving slow up Main St. turning around at High Park and then down to the cannon and doing it all over again showing off your ride. At times you had a bet who had the fastest and met out Rubber Road for the 1/4 mile run. How do I know this, ask Big Gib. 🙂
Buttered almond cake at the Knotty Pine. Gmelins flowers. My father’s fruit stand on Hespeler road where Williams now sits. Dirt biking and snowmobiling through the gravel pit on Eagle St. The smell of Preston sewage treatment plant…. All. Summer. Every. Summer. When they built the walking/bike path from riverside park out to Russ street. Getting coins at Frank Veteres pizzeria. The Can-Amera games. Cooling off on the Preston dam. When the dentist would come to school and do the fluoride treatments right in class. Dancing to the Captain and Tenille before school started. St. Clement’s school.
Must mentions:
Gambles truck stop
Barbers Beach
Kelehers
going to a&w for cruise nights on hespler road
going next door for hush puppies at long john silvers
cheese burgers at sams
going to tu lane and having breakfast with all the truckers
grade 12 prom dinner at the pinnery
knowing john bell lives behind the grade 8 portable at st annes school in a old lil run down blue house
hanging out in the catwalk between hilltop dr and lynwood dr
Living way down here in New Mexico, this list made me home sick. So many of the listed items in the article and comments shaped my youth! Thank you for the read guys! Love and miss Cambridge! (East side of Galt).
Go kart races on Churchill Dr.,
Hilltop Fish and Chips, Tiger Brand, the old mall in Hespeler with the Theatre, Parkway Restaurant Sayvette and the old Zehrs.
wow so many memories of cambridge. nice to go down memory lane so heres a few more the log cabin restautant on 24, the mall in hespler had savette store in fron i t was great also jeryy lewis theater iwas in it.proud to be a cambridge galt girl
This made me feel old! Amalgamation did not occur until after I started university. I was a Preston girl. John Galt Mall did not exist until the same time frame. Preston Public was still Central Public School . When someone heard your name, they questioned whether you were related to…, even with a rare name like ours. You finished high school with many of the same students that you began kindergarten with – and some of those you are still on Facebook with today. Many of the same teachers taught multiple family members. You walked everywhere. No schoolbuses. You worked at, or attended the Kinsmen Carnival at the arena, before it moved to Riverside Park. Roller skating at the old Preston arena location. Major Hoople’s. The spots to go for a drink were the Kress Hotel, Leisure Lodge,and Nick’s Tavern. The Knotty Pine and the Jacques family were well known. If you wanted to dine in the steakhouse on the lower level, men were expected to wear a tie. Loved their hibachi appetizers. The Preston Tea Room, Foote’s Jewellers, Sid Somers, the Paris Shop, Bill’s BBQ, the Pioneer BBQ in it’s original location, the Sunset Drive-in : so many memories!
Hi Tina
It’s been a while!
Just happened to stumble on this – it brings back a lot of memories!
I remember the Scout House Band. What ever happened to Wilf Blum and Paul Bauer?
7’s about the only thing I can relate with while I was living in brandford
So many memories!! Was King’s fries and GRAVY mentioned because wow! And when going to a 7pm showing at Twin theatres in hespler if you lived in Galt we’d always have to walk home cuz the last bus ran just before we got out. Many adventures along the way though 😉
The Metropolitan store on Main St. Nagges Bros grocery store. Griffins Sport. George Brown Sports. Hutchings Sports on Beverly St. Howard the Jeweller.The old (small) swimming pool at the Y. The YMCA Circus every year. The Library with the the children’s section on the top floor. Alison Park e.school.Royal Metal at the Delta. The foundry at Shade and Kerr St. The COE. Patterson’s Drug Store.
The Malleable Iron on Shade …
George Brown was my uncle. My first bike was made up of spare parts from his shop, it’s all we could afford. It was too big for me . He’s passed away now.
I remember storing Hespeler hockey sticks in our basement for him during the ‘74 flood.
P.S. I’m from Galt , not Cambridge.
Canadian General Tower. Scroggins Shoes. Pemberton’s Egg Grading Station. Teather’s Variety. Uncle Ben’s Variety at Westgate Plaza. “Chopper”, the Vice Principal at Southwood. The deer pens in Victoria Park. Man, I miss the old days.
Dixon Dairy delivering milk with a horse and wagon in the 1950s. Fisher’s Bread also delivered to your door. Hancock Pool. Crane’s Garage. The “Pig’s Ear” (Overland Hotel).
The egg grading station on Grand Ave at St Andrews …
I used to feed that horse when I lived on Ainslie St only 2 doors down from the Legion. Had to go past the Pig’s Ear (or down the lane) to get to Bill’s Booth for Ice Cream and smokes for dad. (with a note of course).
That horse was well fed, I think. 😉
I would feed him when his route took him down Rose St.
You have bedbugs.
The Gooseneck Pond on Cheese Factory Road
The Right House before it was Woolco.
The Grand River Department Store
Jack Shuttleworth and his chest waders – his son Jim at Cambridge Memorial Hospital …
The Front Hespler highway AND the Back Hespler …
John Dobos – and Dickson Bowl when it was upstairs on Dickson (if you see this John, Dutch would want me to say hi)
The HLI annual reunion and family picnics
The Iroquois Hotel
Mothers on the Front Hespler
The Carnegie Library on Water St
The sound of the clock sticking the hour from City Hall late at night
The Mad Hatter Tea Parties at The Sulphur Springs Hotel …
Reid’s Candy Store used to have the best cheese chips!
The Coffee Bar restaurant!
My friends, the Neff brothers, their dad ran the Hostess Chips factory.
The old bus station in Galt at Ainslie and Main.
Mr. Willard’s house.
Knowing what 18 for 2 means and weirdly thinking that the elderly man who created it was a celebrity when you saw him sitting by the front window when you picked it up.
The one hall mall with miracle mart at each end.
Feeling like you are about to drive into a giant lion’s mouth going south on water st.
The small strip mall at the top of St. Andrews st. I remember when there was The Bi Way, Staceys Arcade, Pizza Delight, Beckers, and there once was a bank in there and that became a Swiss Pantry Donuts which then became Buds Place.
Also, Glens Variety used to have a small restaurant which had the best banana milkshakes.
-Newfie Village
-Scallions
-little big horn }
-Rock 24 }
-Fiddlers green} Come on Cambridge!! Where has our Nightlife disappeared to.????
-The Mirage }
-the old west gate plaza
-records on wheel
Getting drunk at the Matador at 15, passing out in every corner of the Old Post Office Restaurant, and Ballingers, and Nick’s Tavern, and Cafe 13, and Branson’s, and The Central, and ‘that’ Pizza joint’s after hours bar, and the Cave. JP’s late-night bootleg beer delivery for $45 a case. The Newfie Wall; a drive-thru weed auction. Motorcrossing in the Baja on a Honda Super Sport crotch rocket to get away from a cop in a cruiser and winning more then once, and losing one final time. Drag racing to A&W on Hespeler Road to feast on Bacon Mozza Burgers and poutine after last call.
Damn, this was a great town to grow up in.
I’s Peel Village, not Preston Heights.
Going to detentions at GCI presided over by”DN”-always had to do math problems!
You drank under age at the cave, found anything you ever needed at the buck, ate at mothers pizza (bonus if you remember Ernie Whitt was one of the owners). You remember when Jacob high school was for ‘special kids’, you know where the black church on cheese factory road was, you attended a bush party in Sheffield.
-Working at the 401 Fina/Enroute
-Remember where Hespler hockey sticks and St.Mary’s bats were made.
-Watching the Hespler Shamrocks play their old rivals from Preston at the old Hespler arena.
-Friday and Staurday nights at the A&W on the front Hespler Hwy. I remember working one summer night when a group of 25-30 riders “streaked” through the parking lot on their bikes. LOL
-Fish and chips were wrapped in old newspaper from the “Hilltop Fish n Chips” in Hespler.
-Taking the old green school bus to GCI in Galt, before the yellow school buses were around. I think they were used as Galt Transit buses after the school run.
-The old fire siren in downtown Hespler, to alert the firefighters of a call.
-The old Hespler City Hall housed; police dept, fire dept, hydro office and others.
-The first year our family moved to Hespler from Galt, there was a Christmas party at the City Hall and every child got a 3 lbs gift bag of candy.
-Does anyone remember staying late after the Saturday afternoon showing at the Galt Theater and picking the up trash, just to get a free pass for the next week ??
-Yes, I do remember Bluff’s subs in Preston, best pepperoni subs ever made !!
Boy … have I had a few laughs reading this list and lots of memories …. Thanks everyone !!!
the choices were Blair, Twin Rivers and Cambridge
Growing up in Preston – Jack Harris and his Pixie Dust!!
Riverside Billiards, The Baja , Dances at Grand River shopping plaza, Gentleman Jims restaurant, Griffiths Sports The Sulpher Springs hotel, the hill behind Glenview park hs cheap draft beer on nearly every corner in downtown Galt. The Albion, The Iroquois, The Overland, The Royal
What will be finished first in Cambridge? (A) The Hospital (B) The 401 (C) The LRT or (D) The multiplex
what about hoover…is hoover park in Cambridge>??yea…snake rd
Putting dimes in the juke box at Tim Hortons at the delta, playing “Funny Face” by Donna Fargo when you were 10 years old with a bunch of bikers sitting there watching you, and none complained.
Getting free donuts at the same Timmy’s because your friend’s Mum worked there.
Eating fries at Hennings.
Swimming at the swimming place at Soper Park ( On the actual creek, not the swimming pool)
Sliding down the hot slide at Soper Park on a hot summer day.
Road hockey on Kimberly.
Yelling,, GO HORNETS GO at Shade Street arena
Watching John Bell in his mother ( Olga) ‘s clothes, ride his bike past your house and laughing at him.
Making up stories about John & Olga Bell’s house.
Still say you are from Galt Ontario, not Cambridge 🙂
The Shades Mill Restaurant- The Shady Deal and the live bands playing there. Live bands every Thurs, Fri and Sat night at Nick’s in Blair, bar hopping in Preston between sets, punk bands at the Sulpher, dancing at the Matador, the one summer the Leisure Lodge re-opened, Blue Rodeo, B.B. Gabor at Ballinger’s I didn’t realize how great the night life was until I moved away. I really miss live bands and still hate karaoke with a passion.
USED TO LIVE IN KITCHENER WATERLOO IN THE 60’S NOW LIVING IN TEXAS USA. I MISS ALL OF THOSE DEAR PLACES, GALT, PRESTON, HESPLER AND KITCHENER WATERLOO. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME THE NAME OF A LODGE-INN THAT USED TO BE EITHER IN HESPLER, OR GALT PRESTON. IT WAS KIND OF SITUATED IN THE WOODS. IT WAS A MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE, IT HAD DANCING UNDER THE STARS OUTSIDE AND INSIDE DANCING TO BIG LIVE BANDS. IT WAS A UPSCALE PLACE ON LARGE GROUNDS AND VERY NICELY INSIDE, SERVED GREAT DRINKS, FOOD AND NICE ENTERTAINMENT. I HEARD YRS. AGO THAT IT BURNED DOWN. I WOULD SO APPRECIATE IF SOMEONE COULD FIND OUT THE NAME OF IT. I HAVE FOND FAMILY MEMORIES OF MY LIFE IN ONTARIO CANADA.
THANK YOU KINDLY
RENATE JACKSON.
Hi Tex ,,, That would be Leisure Lodge just outside Preston back in the day. Cheers. AB
Leisure Lodge
Shade St Arena, Ron Shaver, Linda Ward and Neil Carpenter, Soper Park and the Ball Diamonds
After a Preston Jesters game doing the circuit, Tudor tavern, Matador, Nics Tavern or the Breslau for a final final
Little girls’ clothes from the Patricia Shop, and haircurs at the BonTon.
Going to the original Bennies when it was a jr. high. (grade 7 to 10)
Riding dirt bikes alongside the ditch on Dunbar road on the way to the Baja.
Riding dirt bikes along the ridge all the way up to the Eat n Putt.
Exploring the haunted house off Dunbar road, getting wood from it to build rafts on the pond behind it.
Cheeseburgers at Corsady’s on Hwy 8.
Creaking floors at the Savage Shoes outlet.
Buying candy at Massel’s (not sure how it was spelled) near Coronation and Concession.
Bumper jumping on snowy days when parents picked up their kids from school.
Anyone remember Lennen’s store on Rose St.? Pea shooter and a 25 cent bag of white peas, entertainment for the day! Some days the street would be white with peas….
Anyone remember Chit Chat Variety store in the Highland plaza? We would hang out in front of there after dirt biking at the sand pit ( which is now a homeless camp) . Galt City Honda on Elgin st. E&R Enterprises in Preston, The Sulpher Hotel, Travellers Motor Inn how about Hooches or Landrys Video hut on Shade st. open 24hrs for all your party needs. Riverside Billiards. Capitol Theater to many great places gone and only great memories. To bad for the kids of today I don’t think they will have much to look back on.
I remember Chit Chat Variety. Also remember The Buck Variety. Funny, now that I live in BC, everyone calls them “convenience” stores, lol!
Chit Chat was where my dad bought British papers and magazines. And he’d bring home fish and chips from the place next door.
Guys I need help. I need a list of clubs in Cambridge from the late 80’s/90’s that had live bands and big name concert acts.
( not thinking of Lulus. )
My sister and I seen Dr. Hook there and we cannot think of the name of the club.
It was in the corner of a plaza, and the plaza I believe was brown. lol
There were too many comments to read through, so I apologize if these have been mentioned already! I nodded my head so many times! The rocket on Hespeler Rd. The Black church on Cheese a Factory Rd. The drive through A&W on Hespeler Rd. The Woolco downtown Galt..fries and gravy and a milkshake at the Formica counter tops in the restaurant. Beach days spent at Shades Mill. Cafe 13. Thanks for writing this…it was a real trip down memory lane!
Cambridge Dirt Riders behind John Galt Mall. Wednesday night races with the boyz
Riding my BMX over the arches downtown Galt
Throwing my paper route papers in the Grand River
Life at Southwood in the early 80s
Going to the cottage in Meaford on weekends, and skiing at Blue
Went to Southwood in 1970. Currently live in Meaford. And yes, Evening Reporter in the Grand! Did not ride my bike over but ran over many times the Arches on Main over the Grand.
Did not see any mention of Nick’s Pool Hall. I can still remember the first time I was allowed to go down those stairs and play with the “big boys.”
Playing in the swamp behind Elmwood Ave and getting freaked out seeing ghosts after dark. Listening to CFTJ at lunch with music for my lady. Meeting at the Log Cabin and cruising to Brownies, Hennings and the Frost Top. Drag racing on Pinebush. Playing pickup baseball at Manchester after supper and on the weekends. Watched Gerry Hopcraft hit base balls off the back of the school without hitting any windows.