Over the years, Walper Terrace Hotel has had the privilege of hosting many of Canada's Prime Ministers, the Queen Mother, stars from the Stratford Festival, visiting stars from The Centre in the Square, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bob Hope, Liberace, Duke Ellington, Will Rogers, Art Carney, Pierre Burton, Gordon Sinclair, Nana Mouskouri, Rudolph Nureyev, Jean Chretien, James Brown, Louis Anderson, Louis Armstrong and Guy Lombardo. Most recently, popular entertainers/groups such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, David Copperfield, the Nutcracker Ballet, Cats, Les Miserables, Marcel Marceau, Tony Bennett, Bob Newhart and Jane Goodall were our guests.

One of the very first commercial buildings erected in Kitchener was in 1820 when the community was still called Sandhills. The land was at the corner of what was then Schneider's Road (Queen Street South) & Preston Road (King Street). Phineas Varnum leased this boggy land from one of Kitchener's founders, Joseph Schneider, and erected the "Varnum Inn." Mr. Varnum built a blacksmith's shop and put up a log cabin behind the Inn for Mennonite immigrants coming to the country with little or no money. They were allowed free use of the tiny building until they could build their own homes.

The corner of King and Queen became the town-gathering place between 1835 and 1845. There was a pump and water trough on the Queen Street side and this became a favourable spot for trading with the Indians of the area who were offering woven baskets, mats and lovely beaded ornaments and jewelry in exchange for more practical things such as tools, clothing and food.

In 1836 Frederick Gaukel purchased the Inn, enlarged it and called it "Gaukel's Hotel." The next owner was James Potter who renamed it "The Great Western." He then sold it to John Roat who operated it for a number of years as "The Commercial Hotel." His wife managed it for a year after his death, before C.H. (Curry) Walper took over in 1886. Still known as "The Commercial Hotel," the building was destroyed by fire in 1892. In 1893, after the fire, Abel Walper had the building erected as a four-storey, high-class hotel with a tower at a cost of $75,000.00.

In 1908 Joseph A. Zuber bought the hotel for $74,500.00. At this time $4.50 a week supplied the guest with a room, meals and a maid to fill the water pitcher, while beer and whiskey sold for five cents a glass! Hotel rooms were lit by gas jet, only two rooms had baths, and there was only one telephone and it was in the lobby.

In 1925 the Walper Hotel underwent many changes. The Crystal Ballroom and two floors of guest rooms were added. The Star Theatre went out of business, and as a result, the space was converted to the men's beverage room. A formal dining room and a parking lot had replaced the only dining room and stable.

The American Plan of charges for room and meals had been dropped and the European Plan of room and meals charged separately became standard.

The rooms also took on major changes. They were carpeted and all had running water. Some had baths and showers and there were telephones in every room. Food was simple up until 1925, but that year food became more elaborate with capons, lobster, champagne sherbet and meringue glacee. However, tastes had not caught up, and roast beef and apple pie were still best sellers.

In 1929 Joseph Zuber, Sr. installed Kitchener's first neon sign at the hotel, suspended at King and Queen Streets. The sign was retired on December 4, 1969.

In 1935 Joseph A. Zuber, Sr. died and his son, Joseph Zuber II took over. His son, Joseph Zuber III, joined the business in 1952 with a B.A. in Hotel Administration and made a number of changes to the hotel, including the conversion of the former beverage rooms into the "Hofbrau."

The hotel's chef, Edward Ruppe, prepared meals for the guests of the Walper for 48 years, and in 1969 MacLean's Magazine rated the Walper's Baroque Room as the " Top Eating Place" in the province.

In April 1969 the Zubers celebrated their 75 years in the hotel-keeping business. Shortly afterwards, in 1971, Joseph Zuber III died of cancer and his father retired after selling the business to his two daughters. In 1978 Joseph Zuber II died.

The Walper had two owners after the sisters sold the hotel a few years later. However, they both met with financial difficulties. The Walper Hotel closed its doors to the public on October 18, 1979 just after Oktoberfest.

Three years later in November 1982, Mr. Fred LaFontaine purchased the Walper and began restoring it back to its 19th-century North American hotel style.

Fred LaFontaine sold the hotel in 1992.

Today, the hotel features 79 beautifully appointed guest rooms, including suites and fully furnished efficiency apartment suites with kitchenettes, all of which have been renovated in 2002. Common to all rooms are the historic architecture, high ceilings and unique layouts.

The newly added lobby, located at street level, and complete with fireplace has a Victorian ambience. With the preserved architecture present throughout the hotel, a real European influence is evident and visitors will enjoy its uniqueness.

The magnificence of the Victorian-style Crystal ballroom with its 11 chandeliers and hardwood flooring is a popular venue for wedding receptions. With eight meeting/banquet rooms in total, groups of 10 to 200 can be accommodated.

In addition, the Terrace Café, and The Walper Pub complement and enhance each stay.

Experience the warm friendly atmosphere of the Walper Terrace Hotel… Where Excellence is a Tradition.