Kitchener City Hall 2002

The City of Kitchener is located approximately one hour's drive west of Toronto, adjacent to highway 401, one of North America's busiest transportation corridors.

Founded by Pennsylvanian Mennonites in 1807, early pioneers were drawn to the Kitchener area for its fertile soil, plentiful forests and rivers, and "room to grow". Originally called Sand Hills, the small community soon took the name Ebytown after bishop Benjamin Eby, one of Kitchener's founding fathers. An influx of
German settlers to the area prompted the most significant name change in the 1830s -- and the town of Berlin was born. With the coming of the railway in 1856, the town of Berlin quickly grew into a city of major industrial and economic importance. Ultimately, misguided patriotism during the height of World War One would prompt the city's ultimate name change to Kitchener in 1916.

Today, Kitchener is multi-ethnic community, equally proud of both its Mennonite and German heritage. It's not an uncommon sight to see Mennonite horse and buggies driving side-by-side on city streets; and Mennonite foods and crafts feature prominently at the weekly Kitchener Farmer's Market. Kitchener is also the home of Oktoberfest, North America's largest Bavarian-style festival. Tens of thousands of people from across the continent and around the world enjoy this nine day festival every October.

Part of Ontario's burgeoning "Technology Triangle", Kitchener is now a fast moving, fast growing community of nearly 200,000 inhabitants.