When was the last time you took a walk around Queen’s Square and soaked up the history?

In my 40 years living in Cambridge – the last 13 of those years in West Galt – I am now convinced that the square at the west end of the Main Street bridge is the most historic crossroads of the city.

It’s where Galt’s founder, William Dickson, planned the village’s western gateway, welcoming visitors on foot, on horseback in stagecoaches, for community fairs, sports, stage shows, and movies; and political gatherings, church services, and parades, says Andrew Taylor his 1970 local history book, Our Todays and Yesterdays.

Who remembers the Queen’s Hotel, Scott’s Opera House, and the early Galt arena on the Square?

Trains rumbling down the middle of George Street to the big factories along Grand Avenue?  

Did you learn to swim at the YMCA pool – or do you splash in the Gore Centennial Fountain on hot summer days?  

Do you gather silently on the Square every November, shoulder to shoulder with thousands of your neighbours, for Remembrance Day services around the cenotaph?

They’re all what I’ve learned is part of nearly two centuries of history that Queen’s Square is built on, as described by Jim Quantrell in his chronology book, Time Frames, published in 1993.

Free Walking Tour

Join me on Saturday, September 26, 2026 for a 90-minute walking tour around the square.  I’m leading the walk, organized by the Cambridge Public Library.

It’s set to start at 10:30 a.m. at the Queen’s Square branch.  There’s no cost, but you must register in advance to join the tour at: https://events.cambridgepl.ca/event/17218602

And bring along your stories about the square to share with your neighbours.  

The more I talk with people, the more history I learn about the square.

References

Quantrell, Jim. Time Frames: Historic Chronicles of Galt, Preston, Hespeler and Cambridge (2nd edition) City of Cambridge Archives,1993. Cambridge Public Library call number: 974.344 Qua Catalogue link; https://cambridgepl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S207C1117203

Taylor, Andrew. Our Todays and Yesterdays: A History of the Township of North Dumfries and The Village of Ayr, 1970. Published for the North Dumfries and Ayr Centennial Committee. Cambridge Public Library call number: 971.344 Catalogue link: https://cambridgepl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S207C1041626