May, 2016.
To mark the 100th year since Berlin's name was changed to Kitchener I propose that signs be erected on major roads to show the boundaries of Berlin in 1916.
The Region of Waterloo already has signs that show historic place names. Here are two examples.
This sign is on Huron Road between Trussler Road and Queen Street.
This sign is on Snyder's Road East near Trussler Road. (There is a Waldau Crescent that runs off of Trussler Road, just outside Kitchener's city limits.)
My proposal would see "Berlin" signs at or near the 1916 city limits. Since I don't have access to a 1916 map I'll use one from 1923 to place the signs. So the sings to mark the name change would be erected at:
King Street near Union Street
Waterloo Street and Moore Avenue S.
Victoria Street near Edna Street
Frederick Street and Edna Street
Weber Street E. near Ottawa Street N.
King Street E. near Sheldon Avenue
Courtland Avenue near Bedford Road
Mill Street and Courtland Avenue
Queen's Boulevard at St. Mary's Hospital
Highland Road near Belmont Avenue W.
Glasgow Street near Belmont Avenue W.
Union Boulevard near Esson Street
Obviously the list above would have to be fine-tuned to correspond to the 1916 city boundaries.
The signs could look like this:
Or they could look like this:
I believe that signs like this would add a level of interest other Canadian cities lack -- a city within a city. It would also be an acknowledgement of Kitchener's unique history as we go forward.
If you like this idea it would be easy enough to do. It wouldn't cost a lot of money. Just contact local politicians and see if we can do this for Kitchener's 100th birthday.