Preston, nestled within Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, within the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, once thrived as an independent town until 1973. Established in 1915, its autonomy ended with the amalgamation involving Hespeler, Galt, and Blair, culminating in the birth of the municipality of Cambridge, with parts of surrounding townships also integrated. Population specifics for the former Preston remain elusive, as Census reports encompass only the entirety of Cambridge. However, combined census tracts covering much of Preston reported a population of 20,008 during the 2016 Canada Census. Claudette Millar held the honor of being Cambridge's inaugural mayor.
The amalgamation met with local resistance, fostering a sense of rivalry among the three communities. Even today, residents often identify themselves by their former community names, be it Galt, Preston, or Hespeler. Each locale boasts a unique history meticulously documented in the Cambridge City Archives.
Formerly occupying the city's western reaches at the convergence of the Grand River and Speed River, Preston's downtown core is commonly delineated by the northern entrance to Riverside Park on King Street and the southern extent marked by the King and Bishop plaza.
