Visiting the Walper Hotel, Kitchener, Ontario: Designed by Abel Walper, Dating From 1893

(This short hub article is limited to some historical aspects of this heritage building in Kitchener, Ontario. For any aspect of the services of this fine hotel, contact should be made directly with its management.)

The Walper Hotel, sometimes known in the past as the Walper Terrace Hotel, has been a landmark in Downtown Kitchener, Ontario, since 1893.

Designed by its owner Abel Walper (1833-1904)(1), it has long been regarded as among the best appointed hotels in the region.

Notable features of the building include a conspicuous, well crafted cornice and a profusion of Syrian arches, complemented also by elliptical arches. Executed in red brick, this material is also used for several symmetrical pilasters.

In recent years, the building has been thoroughly refurbished (2). It is included in the the Canadian Register of Historic Places (3).

Among the building's many historical associations has been the hosting of numerous, prominent guests, including Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Eleanor Roosevelt, and many of Canada's Prime Ministers.

The Walper Hotel is situated at the intersection of King and Queen Streets, Kitchener, Ontario, at 1-11 King Street West. Interestingly, this location was the location of previous buildings which served comparable purposes; a previous hotel suffered irreparable damage by fire in 1892; and records show that the Varnum Inn was built on the same spot in 1820.

Incorporated in the ground floor of the building is a well frequented café, with tasteful furnishings.

Thus it may be fairly said that the Walper Hotel has occupied a prime site and has been a venerable venue for citizens of and visitors to Kitchener for nearly 2 centuries.

August 14, 2018

Notes

(1) See also: https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/DSD_ECDEV_self_guided_tour_brochure_Mount_hope.Pdf

(2) See also: https://www.therecord.com/news-story/6249789-makeover-of-kitchener-s-walper-hotel-to-be-done-by-june/

(3) Canadian Register of Historic Places, No. 10659.

In Kitchener itself, visitor attractions include Woodside National Historic Site of Canada, boyhood home of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King.

West Montrose (distance: approx. 20 kilometres) has an historic Covered Bridge, dating from 1880.

Elora (distance: approx. 30 kilometres); its picturesque Mill on the Grand River is a visitor attraction.

St Jacobs (distance: approx. 12 kilometres) is a photogenic village with Mennonite heritage, and a much frequented Farmers' Market.

...

How to get there: Air Canada, flies to Toronto Pearson Airport, with wide North American and other connections, from where car rental is available. (Distance from Toronto Pearson to Kitchener: approx. 88.8 kilometres.) WestJet and Bearskin Airlines fly to Region of Waterloo International Airport, from where car rental is available, from Calgary and Ottawa respectively. (Distance from Reg. of Waterloo Int. Airport to Kitchener: approx. 13.1 kilometres.) Some facilities may be withdrawn without notice. For up to date information, please check with the airline or your travel agent.

MJFenn is an independent travel writer based in Ontario, Canada.