Pickering celebrates 25 years as a city!
On January 1, 2000, Pickering officially became a city.
To honour this momentous occasion, residents and visitors are invited to celebrate, reflect on, and explore the vibrant history and dynamic evolution of Pickering, a place so many are proud to call home.
'You woke up in a city today' graced the cover of the January 1st edition of the Pickering News Advertiser 25 years ago (Read the full article from 2000 here). In recognition of its historic status as the first new city of the 21st century, Pickering officially trademarked the name “Millennium City” in Canada, a bold declaration of its forward-thinking vision. While the excitement of the millennium has since passed, these efforts played a critical role in helping to forge a new identity, vision, and sense of purpose for Pickering, laying the foundation for the dynamic, progressive, and leading city it is today. Pickering’s achievements have not gone unnoticed—it has proudly secured a place on The Globe and Mail's list of Canada’s 100 Most Livable Cities for two consecutive years.
Learn more about your City right here, or take the time to share your own unique photos and experiences through our Stories Tool.
Follow @CityofPickering on Facebook, X, and Instagram this year for Pickering's biggest and most meaningful community stories from the past 25 years. Residents are encouraged to use the hashtag #Pickering25 to share unique memories and explore highlights throughout the year.
To provide meaningful municipal services to Pickering’s growing and diverse community, efficiently, effectively, and responsibly. Learn more about Pickering's Vision and Strategic Priorities.
From its transformation from a Township (1811–1973), to Town (1974–2000), and now City (2000–present), Pickering’s story is one of resilience, progress, and community spirit. The lands that make up present-day Pickering also hold deep historical significance, with roots extending hundreds of years before this milestone.
1800-1973: Pickering and Pickering Township Council
While members from Pickering joined in an 1803 meeting held in conjunction with Whitby Township’s meeting, Pickering’s first independent Council was not held until March 4, 1811. At this first meeting, issues discussed included Major General Isaac Brock preparations to defend Upper Canada from American invaders and David Thompson’s exploration and surveying of the Pacific Ocean for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Officers elected include a Town Clerk, two Assessors, a Collector, four Pathfinders, two Poundkeepers, and two Wardens. The position of the most authority was the Town Clerk.
Image 1: Township of Pickering Council. Portrait collage. Circa 1887. Pickering Local History Collection. X2022-004-001.Image 2: Pickering Township Council. Portraits. 1929. Pickering Local History Collection. 2007-00004.
In 1854, the first Pickering Township Hall was opened at 3545 Brock Road in the Hamlet of Brougham, one block south of Highway #7 on the east side. This Township building served as a space for Council meetings and other matters. Prior to this, Council meetings were held in a variety of homes and local taverns. Council meetings were held primarily at this location until 1967, when a new municipal building was established on the Northeast corner of Brock Road and Kingston Road.
The Township of Pickering experienced substantial growth, as well as changes to its boundaries throughout the 20th century. In 1941, Ajax was established in the southeastern area of Pickering Township to service a munitions plant built on a 1,200-hectare site.
Following the war, a “displaced persons” camp is in operation from 1949 to 1953, with Ajax incorporated as a town in 1955. Communities from the Township of Pickering – including South Greenwood, Duffin’s Creek/Pickering Village, and Pickering Beach – became part of Ajax. In 1973, changes to Pickering’s borders happen again but in the west end. At this time, the area on the west side of the Rouge River was annexed by Scarborough, removing the areas of Port Union / West Rouge from the Township of Pickering. This move coincided with Pickering’s status change in 1974, in which Ontario County became the Regional Municipality of Durham, and the Township of Pickering became the Town of Pickering. Read more.
Each of Pickering’s historic hamlets has a distinct history and were officially named when post offices were introduced to the communities. Explore the history under the photos tab, titled, 'Pickering of the Past and Present.'
Early History 1500-1800
The land now known as Pickering has long been taken care of and sustained by several distinct First Nations. The primary First Nations that historically occupied this area include the Huron-Wendat, the Anishinaabe, and the Haudenosaunee. The Wendat (Huron-Wendat) inhabited the St. Lawrence Valley and estuary and land to the Great Lakes region from the mid-1500s. During the fur trade, the Wendat were allies of the French and enemies of the Haudenosaunee. Following a series of armed conflicts, the Wendat were dispersed around 1650 by the Haudenosaunee. The Haudenosaunee occupation in the area began around 1665 with the establishment of several Haudenosaunee villages along the north shore of Lake Ontario. At this time, the Seneca Village of Ganatsekwyagon was established at the edge of the Rouge River. It was an active village, located centrally along useful transportation routes and used primarily for fur trading with the French. Read more.
Resources
Pickering Local History Collection Digital Archive
The Pickering Local History Collection is a documentary collection (archival materials) that tells the story of Pickering from its earliest people to today’s growing City by collecting, preserving, and making available Pickering’s recorded history to the community. The PLHC is accessible through the Digital Archive, which allows you to research local history and genealogy in the City of Pickering, former Township of Pickering, and beyond. It includes over 20,000 digitized newspapers, books, photos, maps, and more from the collection.
Pickering Local History and Genealogy
Find local history books, genealogy events, and more.
Pickering Township Historical Society
Pickering Township Historical Society was co-founded by John Sabean. Time Present and Time Past Written by John W. Sabean for the Pickering Township Historical Society is a book that traces Pickering through photographs rather than a chronological history. Commemorating the people that helped make the modern City of Pickering, this book serves as a pictorial celebration of Pickering at the end of the century and millennium.
Pickering Artifact Collection
The Pickering Museum Village collects material culture, by donation or purchase, pertaining to the history of Pickering Township up to 40 years prior to the present year, in order to understand and interpret the community's past, present and future.
Region of Durham
Durham Region was created on Jan. 1, 1974, under The Regional Municipality of Durham Act, 1973. The new bill introduced a regional level of municipal government, which would include eight area municipalities, now known as: the cities of Oshawa and Pickering, the towns of Ajax and Whitby, the Municipality of Clarington, and the townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge.
Share your stories
We invite you to share your special memories, pictures, and stories of Pickering over the past 25 years and beyond.