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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKitchener's Farmers MarketCity of Kitchener Corporate Archives Kitchener's Farmers' Market fonds 1869-2012 Prepared by: Hilda Sturm January 2011 KITCHENER'S FARMERS' MARKET fonds - 1869-2012- 3.5m of textual records, 1 m of photographs, 40m of videos, 60cm of artifacts, and 20cm of plans/blueprints. For over 140 years there has been a farmers market building in the city of Berlin/Kitchener. At its peak, the market was known as one of the best farmers markets in North America. The market was frequently visited by many people who came back regularly to the same vendors over the many years. Busloads of people came to the Saturday market and it was one of the main attractions in Kitchener. The market buildings have changed and have been modernized over the years. There has been controversy associated around the market but today it still operates a Saturday market. The Kitchener Farmer's market has changed locations over the many years but the tradition of the market still continues to be a part of Kitchener's cultural identity. There has been a market held in the city going as far back 1839. Jacob Y. Shantz was the pioneer of the first market building in Berlin. In 1869 for under $4,000, he erected a two story building that not only held the market but the council chambers and post office. On Saturday mornings farmers traveled to the market by horse and buggy to sell their items. In 1872 a long, low building was erected behind the original building. For the next 35 years, farmers came to sell produce, livestock, vegetables and other items in the market building. In 1907 a larger building was required and a two story red brick building was erected for just under $18,000. For over 60 years the market was held inside and outside of this building. The market was thriving in the 1950's and 1960's. There were as many as 350 farmers and over 500 tables inside the building and 150 tables outside the building for regular venders. Vendors arrived as early as 5 a.m. to set up their stalls. Outside stalls cost $40.00 to $60.00 and inside stalls ran from $20.00 to $150.00. Meat, poultry, eggs, vegetables, fruit, cheese, flowers, plants, baked goods, bread, crafts were many of the food and other items sold. In the 1960's refrigeration was suggested for the perishables items. The idea was not met with much support. Vendors did not want to be forced to add refrigeration to their counters. Council approved an idea to cover 40 of the outside market stands. Discussions were taking place on the possibility of the market moving from the location behind city hall. A survey was taken of market customers and King St. merchants. Market customers were asked if the market was moved to the outskirts of Kitchener, would they visit more, less or the same amount. No specific location was given as to where the market would be located. The results were that they would visit more or about the same if the market was moved. King St. merchants were overwhelming in favour of not moving the market out of the downtown core. The decision was made by Council not move the market at that particular time. Rental rates were increased in 1971. Inside stall rose to between $35.00 to $200.00 and outside stalls rose from $75.00 to $95.00. In 1971 the city council announced the plans to demolish the old market building and the city hall. The market would be relocated to the new shopping complex that would be built on the land. This became a very controversial matter in the downtown redevelopment. The plan was to keep the look of the inside of the new market similar to the old market. The interior of the new market would have wood pillars and beams, plaster walls on the lower floor and brick walls on the upper floor. Proper refrigeration facilities would be added for all perishables. The final market day in the 1907 building was held on August 1, 1973. An estimated crowd of 8,000 people attended the last market before demolition. A farewell to the old building was commemorated by a `Tradition on the Move' luncheon for the vendors and guests. A market bell was presented for installation in the new building. A plaque commemorating the markets' move was also presented. Vendors and guests received a brick with a plaque as a memento. On August 4, the market was moved to the parking garage where it continued operations until the new structure was completed. More than 13,000 souvenir bricks were sold for $1.00 a piece over several months. On June 29, 1974 the new market was open for business and over 10,000 people attended the opening day market. The market was an overwhelming success in the first month after opening. Crowds ranged from 17,000 to 20,000 on Saturdays up from between 12,000 to 14,000. On Wednesdays the attendance was up to 9,000 from 5,000. The official opening of the new market was held on October 12, 1974. Premier Bill Davis rang the market bell to commemorate the opening. The market continued to operate from this site for 30 years. In the late 1990's, the long-term Market Square lease was about to expire and the city began a search for a new location. The city began to buy up the land bounded by King, Eby, Duke and Cedar Sts. A 2001 survey was complied to ask residents questions regarding the new market. The `Your Kitchener Market' opened on May 22, 2004 on King St. E. The Kitchener market today continues the tradition started over 130 years ago. Today, it is called the Kitchener Market and the International Cuisine and merchant upper level market vendors are open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a. m. - 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. The lower level Farmer's Market and the artisans and crafters on the upper level are open Saturday's 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. The fonds consists of minutes, historical information, plaques, drawings, blueprints and photographs. Other items are books, a bell, and bricks. The records consist of seven series and the series are arranged in chronological order. Title based on contents of fonds. Records transferred from Records Centre and city staff. 1: Minutes/Reports -1886 -1981. 60cm This series consists of the minutes and reports of the market. An index is available in Appendix A 2. Textual Information - 1900's - 2008. 60cm This series consists of newspaper articles, newsletters, books, and correspondence. An index is available in Appendix B 3. Photographs - 1898 - 2005. 100cm This series consist of photographs, albums and mounted photographs. An index is available in Appendix C. 4. Videos, Cassettes and CD's -1990 - 2006. 4cm This series consist of various videos, cassettes and cd's. An index is available in Appendix D. 5. Artifacts - 1874 - 1981. 20cm This series consist of plaques and two bricks and a bell. An index is available in Appendix E. 6. Drawings/Blueprints - 1960's - 2006. 20cm This series consist of architectural drawings, blueprints and floor plans. An index is available in Appendix F. 7. Ephemera - 2004 - 2012. 2cm This series consist of posters and brochures. An index is available in Appendix G. Appendix A Series 1: Minutes/Reports Title Date Volume/Item Box Minutes - 1973 1-1 12608 Market Technical Advisory Minutes - 1973 1-2 12608 Market Design Advisory Minutes -Market 1975 1-3 12608 Operating Minutes -Market 1976 1-4 12608 Operating Minutes -Market 1977 1-5 12608 Operating Minutes -Market 1978 1-6 12608 Operating Minutes -Market 1979 1-7 12608 Operating Minutes -Market 1980 1-8 12608 Operating Minutes -Market 1981 1-9 12608 Operating Regulation - 1931-1959 1-10 12608 Fruit Branchers Regulations - 1939 1-11 12608 Live Stock Products Committee Minutes 1946-1947 2-1 12083 - Volume 35 Committee Minutes 1948-1949 3-1 12079 - Volume 37 Committee Minutes 1950-1951 4-1 12077 - Volume 38 Committee Minutes 1952 5-1 12072 - Volume 41 Committee Minutes 1953 6-1 12070 - Volume 42 Committee Minutes 1954 7-1 12066 - Volume 44 Committee Minutes 1955 8-1 12062 - Volume 46 Committee Minutes 1956 9-1 12069 - Volume 49 Committee Minutes 1957 10-1 12063 - Volume 52 Committee Minutes 1958 11-1 12061 - Volume 53 Committee Minutes 1959 12-1 12054 - Volume 57 Committee Minutes 1960 13-1 12050 - Volume 59 Committee Minutes 1961 14-1 12057 - Volume 62 Committee Minutes 1886-1911 15-1 12049 - Volume 66 Committee Minutes 1900-1911 16-1 12038 - Volume 72 Appendix B Series 2: Textual Information Title Date Volume/Item Box Farmers Market 1986-1987 17-1 11191 Study Promotional 2001-2006 17-2 11191 Information Promotional 2001-2006 17-5 11191 Information Background 1839-1997 18-1 10946 Information Book "The Story of 18-2 10946 Kitchener" Miscellaneous 1958-2000 18-4 10946 Information 125 Anniversary 1994 18-7 10946 Certificate Market Clerk 1981-1986 19-1 10942 Position Magazine Article 1966-1974 19-5 10942 Newsletter 1994 19-6 10942 Market Business 1995-1999 19-8 10942 Plans Newspaper Articles 1980-1999 20-1 10934 "My Old Order 1982 20-2 10934 Mennonite Heritage" -Book Scrapbook 1971-1972 22-1 11093 Market Future Is Its 1989 23-5 9390 Past -article "The Kitchener 1975 24-1 10358 Market Fight" - Book Newspaper Article 1973 26-2 14310 on Demolition of Market Farmer's Market Booklet 2000 27-1 11143 Ontario Superbuild Report 2003 27-2 11143 Newspaper Articles 2008 27-3 11143 Kitchener Market - Round 1 application 1978-1980 31-3 11999 Memorabilia 1984-1992 32-3 10944 Guest Books 1979-1991 32-4 10944 Promotional Information 1995-2001 36-1 12544 Newspaper Articles 1960's 37-1 10143 Newspaper Articles 1970's 37-2 10143 Market Postcard 1950's 60-1 10906 Appendix C Series 3: Photographs Title Date Volume/Item Box Photographs 1970's-1990's 18-3 10946 Photographs 1990-1990's 18-6 10946 Slides 1969-1991 18-9 10946 Photo Albums (4) 1981-1995 19-4 10942 Photographs 1898-1906 19-7 10942 Photographs 1980's 20-3 10934 Photo Albums (3) 1980's 20-4 10934 Market Vendors 1960's 21-1 11723 Market Photos 1960's-2001 23-2 9390 Market Photo 1950's 28-1 10925 Photograph 1960's 30-1 11862 Photograph 1955 30-2 11862 Photograph 1900 30-3 11862 Photographs 1970 31-1 11999 Photographs Vendors 1980's-1990's 31-2 11999 Photographs 1960's-1980's 32-1 10944 Bicentennial Photograph 1984 32-2 10944 Photo Albums (2) 1995-2005 33-1 12289 Framed Photo 1980's 39-1 CH 0009 Framed Photo 1950's 40-1 CH 0010 Framed Photo 1950's 41-1 CH 0011 Framed Photo 1950's 42-1 CH 0012 Framed Photo 1800's 43-1 CH 0013 Framed Photo 1950's 44-1 CH 0014 Framed Photo 1930's 45-1 CH 0015 Framed Photo 1950's 46-1 CH 0016 Framed Photo 1900 47-1 CAO 0214 Framed Photo 1900's 48-1 CAO 0217 Framed Photo 1900's 49-1 CAO 0237 Oil Painting 50-1 0239 Photographs 1983-1994 51-1 10948 Photographs 1960's-1990's 52-1 12811 Story Boards 2003-2004 56-1 CH Your Kitchener Opening 2004 57-1 11843 Slides n.d. 58-1 12996 Photographs n.d. 59-1 CH Appendix D Series 4: Videos, Cassettes and Cd's Title Date Volume/Item Box Market CD 2001-2006 17-4 11191 Market Tapes 1991-1997 18-8 10946 Your Kitchener Market Opening CD 2004 29-1 10908 Your Kitchener Market CD 2005 33-2 12289 Cassettes 2002 53-1 14544 Videos 1990-2002 53-2 14544 Videos 1994-1996 54-1 14548 Cassettes 1991-1998 55-1 14549 Appendix E Series 5: Artifacts Title Date Volume/Item Box Plaque 1981 19-2 10942 Plaque n.d. 19-3 10942 Bell 1874 25-1 shelf Bricks 1973 26-1 14310 Triptech art 1976 34-1 Market Plaque 1973 35-1 GR Plaque -Jacob Shantz 1977 38-1 CH 0008 Appendix F Series 6: Drawings/Blueprints Title Date Volume/Item Box Sketches 2001-2006 17-3 11191 Market Square Blueprints 1985 18-5 10946 Drawings 1960's-2001 23-1 9390 Market Square Floor Plans 1980's 23-3 9390 Market Blueprints 1980's 23-4 9390 Appendix G Series 7: Ephemera Title Date Volume/Item Box Posters 2007-2012 61-1 11281