Historic black-and-white photograph of the waterfront in Galt, Ontario — Photo: Jay Morrison

Berlin (Kitchener) & Galt

Shortly after Carl Ahrens’ birth in Winfield, his family settled in Berlin, Ontario, which is now called Kitchener. He had deep ties to this community. Ahrens' great-grandfather, Frederick Gaukel (1785-1853), a prominent businessman, was one of the first settlers of Berlin. Frederick and Gaukel streets in present-day Kitchener were named after him. Ahrens’ grandfather was Karl Henirch von Ahrens (1803-1854), the first treasurer of Waterloo County. Ahrens Street in present-day Kitchener is named after him.

Much of Ahrens’ childhood was spent in Berlin, and he returned to Waterloo County throughout his life, sometimes living near his friend Homer Watson in Doon. From 1923-1925, he lived in a stone farmhouse outside of Galt, which is part of present-day Cambridge.

Historical Family Photographs from Waterloo County

Historical portrait of Karl H. Ahrens — Karl Heinrich Ahrens (1803-1854), the first Waterloo County Treasurer. Karl was the grandfather of painter, Carl Ahrens.

Historical portrait of Frederick Gaukel — Frederick Gaukel (1785-1853), great-grandfather of painter, Carl Ahrens.

Historical portrait of a woman and man from the Roschman family — Richard Roschman (1848-1930) owned the button factory in Waterloo. He is photographed here with his wife, Nancy Ahrens, who was the artist’s aunt.

Historical sepia portrait of Dr. Alfred E. Ahrens wearing a fur hat and coat — Dr. Alfred E. Ahrens (1851-1929) was the brother of Carl's father, Herman. Carl apprenticed under him at his practice in Stratford, Ontario, in the early 1880s.

Sepia photograph of young Carl Ahrens standing with an older child — Carl Ahrens at around age 2 – he is the younger of the boys in this photo. Picture likely taken in Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario in 1864, The older boy’s identity is unknown as Ahrens was an only child.

Sepia portrait of young Carl Ahrens outdoors at about ten years old — Carl Ahrens in the early 1870s in Berlin, Ontario.

Historical black-and-white photograph of the stone Big Trees house — The Ahrens family lived at "Big Trees" from 1923-1935. This photo was taken in 1934.

Carl Ahrens standing in the doorway of the Big Trees house in 1934 — Carl Ahrens at "Big Trees" in 1934.

Present Day Photographs From Waterloo County

Historic Homer Watson House surrounded by trees — The Homer Watson House and Gallery is located in the former home of artist Homer Watson in Kitchener, Ontario. Ahrens would have been here often.

Tree-lined Old Mill Road in Doon during autumn — Old Mill Road in Doon, just south of Kitchener. This is very close to Homer Watson's old house and would have been familiar to Ahrens.

Kitchener Pioneer Tower in a grassy landscape — Pioneer Tower in Kitchener, Ontario.

Landscaped urban scene in Kitchener-Waterloo — The Kitchener/Waterloo Art Gallery in Kitchener, Ontario, was the site of both the 1984 exhibition of Ahrens' prints and the Carl Ahrens Day event in 2007.

Historic red-brick Walper Hotel in downtown Kitchener — The Walper Hotel in Kitchener, Ontario. Ahrens' great-grandfather, Frederick Gaukel, owned the original hotel on this site, back when the town was called Berlin.

Historic Waterloo Button Factory building — In the 1880's this Waterloo building was a button factory owned by Carl's uncle, Richard Roschman. Carl worked there for a couple of years. He was in charge of dyeing the buttons.

Ahrens Street and Queen Street intersection sign in Kitchener — Kim Bullock standing at the corner of Queen and Ahrens Streets in Kitchener, Ontario, in 2004. Ahrens Street was named for Carl Ahrens grandfather, Karl Heinrich Ahrens, who was among the earliest industrialists of the area.

Sunlit interior window with lace curtains at Big Trees — Ahrens' view

Exterior window with black shutters at Big Trees — Ahrens' favorite window from the outside.

Big Trees house photographed in 2004 — "Big Trees" as it appeared in 2004.

Group standing beside a large tree at Big Trees — Family shot at Big Trees in April of 2007. From left to right, Chris Keith, Fred Downes, Deborah Downes, Kim Bullock, Keila Baca and Siegie (Downes) Baca.

Woman seated in the branches of a large heritage tree in Doon — Kim Bullock in a tree in Doon Heritage Village in 2004.

Wooded valley at Homer Watson Park in Waterloo County — Overlooking the Grand River in Homer Watson Park. In the 1890's, Ahrens used to canoe this stretch of the river.

Wooded trail at Homer Watson Park in Waterloo County — Deep in Cressman's Woods. Ahrens often painted here throughout his lifetime.

Black-and-white wooded path at Homer Watson Park — 1934 or 2024? This section of Homer Watson Park was once called Cressman's Woods. Ahrens and Watson often came here to paint.