The History of Hespeler
 The
town of Hespeler’s story is a bit different. Hespeler
was developed primarily as an industrial community and housed
many woollen and textile mills. During the Depression of the
1930’s, management of the largest mill, Dominion Woollens
and Worsteds, ensured that at least one member of each family
living in Hespeler was employed at the mill. During the Second
World War, with much of its workforce on military duty, Dominion
Woollens recruited young women from eastern Canada and Northern
Ontario. Many of these women continued to work and live in
the community long after the war ended and today some of the
original mills are still standing, as are many of the workers
homes. Also, not to be missed is the Forbes Estate, one of
the most prominent homes in all of Cambridge. This home was
originally built for the daughter of industrialist Robert
Forbes, founder of the Dominion Woollens Textile Mill. While
the significance of the textile industry has all but disappeared,
the strong sense of community which has carried Hespeler throughout
its long history, continues to be its greatest resource.
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