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

Sir Adam Beck’s Birthplace

Photographed by Tim Boyd

1. Sir Adam Beck’s Birthplace Marker

Inscription. Founder of Ontarios public hydro-electric system, Adam Beck (1857-1925) was born in Baden. He lived in this community until 1885 when he moved to London, Ontario. Beck was elected mayor of that city in 1902 and the following year was appointed to a provincial commission to investigate the development and distribution of power from Niagara Falls. He served as a member of the Ontario legislature where in 1906, he introduced the bill which set up the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario. As chairman of that body 1906-25. he was largely responsible for its successful establishment and growth, and was knighted in 1914.

Erected by the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 43° 24.295′ N, 80° 39.614′ W. Marker is in Baden, Ontario, in Waterloo Region. It is in Wilmot. It is at the intersection of Snyder’s Road East

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and Whiting Way, on the right when traveling east on Snyder’s Road East. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baden ON N3A 2V6, 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 13 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Castle Kilbride/ Le Château Kilbride (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); The First Amish Settlement (approx. 2.9 kilometers away); Rev. Frederick William Bindemann (1790-1865) (approx. 5.1 kilometers away); The Founding of New Hamburg (approx. 5.1 kilometers away); The Nith River / La rivière Nith (approx. 5.2 kilometers away); Hartman Bridge (approx. 5.2 kilometers away); St. James Anglican Church (approx. 7.9 kilometers away); Plattsville Park History (approx.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 11, 2024

2. Sir Adam Beck’s Birthplace Marker

11.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baden.

Also see . . . Dictionary of Canadian Biography - Beck, Sir Adam David.

The Prometheus of Canadian politics during the first quarter of the 20th century, Sir Adam Beck brought the inestimable benefit of cheap electric light and power to the citizens of Ontario through a publicly owned utility, the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario. He had to fight continuously to build Hydro, as it came to be called, but supported by municipal allies he succeeded in creating one of the largest publicly owned integrated electric systems in the world. Brusque and overbearing, he made many enemies in the process, even amongst his friends, as he rammed his projects forward, frequently over the objections of the governments he notionally served.

(Submitted on June 17, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 11, 2024

3. Sir Adam Beck’s Birthplace Marker

At the entrance to Sir Adam Beck Community Park

Sir Adam Beck, ca 1910 image. Click for full size.

circa 1910

4. Sir Adam Beck, ca 1910

(Public domain)

Sir Adam Beck Memorial in Toronto image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, February 6, 2023

5. Sir Adam Beck Memorial in Toronto

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 327 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 17, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.