1800-1973: Pickering and Pickering Township Council

23 Dec 2024

Many of the early settlers from the 1800s onwards arrived in Pickering with the aid of land grants from the Crown. Due to this growth, the Mississauga in the area were forced out of their communities. While some early discussions and negotiations were had between First Nations and the Europeans (see Williams Treaties: Historical Background) the Treaties for this area were signed in 1923. At this time, the Governments of Ontario and Canada signed the Williams Treaties with the Anishinaabe Chippewa of Simcoe (communities of Beausoleil, Georgina Island and Rama), and the Anishinaabe Michi Saagig of the north shore of Lake Ontario (Alderville, Curve Lake, Hiawatha, and Scugog Island.) These Treaties transferred the title of large tracts of land – including Pickering – from the Williams Treaties First Nations to the Ontario and Canadian governments and terminated their right to hunt, fish, and trap outside of allocated reserve lands.

As settler arrivals increased, lands were cleared of trees and roads forged from trails. By 1849 half of the area had been cleared and was under cultivation. In that year, Pickering Township also achieved the political status it held until 1974 as the Township of Pickering. 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, 2 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.