Waterloo in Waterloo Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Abraham Erb

1772-1830

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 31, 2024

1. Abraham Erb Marker

Inscription. Like many pioneers of this district, the founder of Waterloo was a German Mennonite from Franklin County, Pennsylvania. In 1805 he purchased 900 acres of bush land on the site of this town. He settled here in 1806 and erected the first sawmill two years later. His gristmill, built in 1816, remained in continuous operation for 111 years and formed the nucleus and social centre of a thriving municipality.

Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1805.

Location. 43° 28.028′ N, 80° 31.782′ W. Marker is in Waterloo, Ontario, in Waterloo Region. It is on no nearby street. The marker is in Waterloo Park, accessible from the parking lot approx. 300 metres from the Young Street West entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waterloo ON N2L N2L, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Huron-Perth-Waterloo-Wellington Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Log Schoolhouse (a few steps from this marker); The One Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of Waterloo as a Village (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line);

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The First Lutheran Seminary in Canada (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Wilfrid Laurier University / Université Wilfrid Laurier (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Dominion Life Assurance Company (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); The University of Waterloo (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Kuntz/ Carling/ Labatt Breweries (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Peter H. Roos (approx. 1.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterloo.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 31, 2024

2. Abraham Erb Marker

Entrance to Waterloo Park from Young Street West image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 31, 2024

3. Entrance to Waterloo Park from Young Street West

Abraham Erb’s grist mill ca late 1800s image. Click for full size.

4. Abraham Erb’s grist mill ca late 1800s

Source: Waterloo Region Generations (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 443 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 2, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.