Paris man releases final volume of five book series that unfolds the rich tapestries of the area of Paris called ‘The Junction’

By Cate Breaugh

Local historian and long-time Paris resident Bob Hasler has just finished the 5th in a series of books about an area of Paris commonly known as “The Junction”. And he’s eager to share.

Two railway crossings define the area of Paris that roughly runs from the Nith River to Silver Street in the north. It starts on the east side of Adam Street and runs west to the old railway line that ran from Buffalo to Stratford and Goderich. Also included are parts of Banfield and Capron Streets because there was a school located on nearby Jury Street (dubbed the Junction School). The Paris Junction is sometimes also known as Paris Station because there once was a train station located there. Bob is quick to point out that others may define the Junction area differently than he does. But for the purposes of his books this is the definition that worked best. Full disclosure, Bob and this writer are both volunteers and keen supporters of the Paris Museum and Historical Society (PMHS). PMHS’s mission is to collect, preserve and make accessible Paris’ rich heritage

And we are delighted and honoured to support Bob’s efforts to make stories of this specific neighbourhood of Paris widely available to its citizens and the wider world.

Bob’s book writing adventures began with an idea that he would investigate and write the stories of his wife’s family. Pat HaslerWatts has deep roots in this area Bob and Pat live in her family home Her family came from England and ended up living in the Junction and he decided to record their genealogy in book form. Bob has dedicated his books to Pat, saying that without her support the books wouldn’t have been made.

As Bob dug up information for that first book, not only did he learn about Pat’s family ancestry, but he also became aware of some fascinating tales rooted in the area itself. And he came to realize that there was a whole rich history of this community within a community that needed to be told.

This is how it is with stories. One thing very swiftly leads to another. And another. And once people find out that you’re interested in what they know, they are often eager to tell their tales. That’s how one book leads to four more books. Until you find like Bob did, that you’ve spent the last 30 years of your life writing books about local history.

He’s not wrong. The stories fairly flow out of him. His mind an endless repository of details that he has woven into a series of rich tapestries of the area of Paris that he calls home. The whole series of books covers the years from 1848-1960 The first book is pre 1900 and the subsequent four books span the period from 1900 to 1960.

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