Our Heritage

The Betzner farm was originally part of a large tract of land set aside by the British Crown in 1784 as a reserve for the Six Nations. In 1796, Six Nations sold 38,000 hectares to Colonel Richard Beasley a United Empire Loyalist. Beasley in turn offered the land for sale and although it was far inland and away from centres of commerce, it appealed to a group of Pennsylvania Mennonite farmers who were looking for inexpensive land where they could freely practice their religious beliefs.

In 1899, Samuel Betzner Jr. purchased 160 ha. from Beasley on the west side of the river. Joseph Schoerg purchased 105 ha on the east side of the river, approximately 3 miles upstream, and Samuel Betzner Sr. purchased 60 ha adjacent to the Schoerg property. Together the Betzner and Schoerg (later spelled Sherk) families established the first permanent, non-aboriginal settlement in what would later become Waterloo Township, the birth place of modern Waterloo Region.

The Betzner House was built circa 1830 by John Betzner, son of Samuel Sr. It is of post and beam construction built in the Georgian Mennonite style. A rectangular plan, two and a half stories high with a simple gabled roof and a central door with equal window spacing.

The Betzner farm was previously the home of Dawn Glo Stables. For over 30 years the Easton family ran Dawn Glo as an equestrian farm and had horse training, boarding and trail rides. Dawn Glo eventually ceased and the land was planned to be developed as part of the Deer Ridge Community. The City of Kitchener and the developer designed the new subdivision so as to retain the Betzner home on a new lot. The house and small drive shed (also circa 1830) are now designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act and the property is encumbered with a Heritage Conservation Easement.

John and Victoria Ariens purchased the Betzner house and lot from the developer in 2003 and proceeded to plan and design the rebuilding and renovations. Armed with the appropriate Heritage Permits and approvals, the construction commenced on March 1, 2006 and on Dec. 17th, some 9 and a half months later, the Ariens family was able to move back in.

The conversion to a B&B provides the public with an opportunity to stay in one of the oldest post and beam frame dwellings in Waterloo Region.