Pickering celebrates 25 years as a city!

The City of Pickering marked a significant milestone in its 25th anniversary celebrations with the unveiling of specially curated art banners, now prominently displayed on the exteriors of Pickering City Hall and the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (CHDRC).

Artwork Description

“On the Path Forward” honours the deep connection between the people and the land that have shaped Pickering. While attention is often focused on the future, it is essential to acknowledge and respect the origins of the city. The values of community, sustainability, and innovation continue to inspire and guide Pickering’s growth. Pickering has long been a place where individuals and families have chosen to live, contribute to the local culture, and thrive.

The opportunities available today are deeply intertwined with the natural beauty of the city, from the serene shores of Lake Ontario to the wetlands and forests that surround its peaceful suburbs. At the forefront of this piece is the community, walking not only toward the city’s natural landscapes but also toward a tribute to those who have shaped Pickering’s rich history and those who continue to shape its future. This includes the Mississaugas of Scugog Island, whose cultural traditions and contributions are integral to the region's heritage. The artwork also acknowledges the contributions of early inhabitants who played a key role in the development of Pickering’s historic neighborhoods — a legacy that remains visible and educational today.

As the city continues to grow, with expanding suburbs and evolving infrastructure, the spirit of innovation and community remains steadfast. This piece is part of a project commemorating the 25th anniversary of Pickering’s transition from a town to a city. By reflecting on its past, Pickering moves forward with a renewed sense of purpose and potential, ensuring that the city’s exceptional qualities are preserved for generations to come. It stands as a celebration of 25 years of transformation and the continued promise of a bright future.

Artist Biography:

Taylor is an illustrator born and raised in Pickering. Starting her career as a background painter inanimation, she enjoys putting a focus on visual storytelling, and using locations to take viewers on these journeys. Everyone, humans and animals alike, leave behind their history in the world around them. From landscapes to living rooms, she experiments with colour, light, and shapes to immerse you in the places she’s created and to tell the tales of those who have existed throughout them.

The design for the 25th Anniversary identifier highlights Pickering's City Hall and clocktower - an architectural landmark serving as a symbol of governance, community, and public service. The clock itself represents the passage of time, which is very fitting in a milestone year.

The water and trees pay tribute to Pickering's strategic objective of leading environmental innovation and resilience by recognizing the importance of the natural environment as an integral part of any complete, world-class city. Council, staff, and members of the public continue to collaborate on meaningful initiatives that work to preserve, protect, and enhance Pickering’s natural heritage features including our beautiful trails, parks and open space, urban forests, and the jewel of the city – our shimmering waterfront.

The pedestrian bridge, recognized by Guinness World Records, is an icon of engineering and sustainability for millions of residents, drivers, passengers, and transit users. Not only does it physically connect our communities, but it also connects our past to our present and to our bright future.

History of the Crest

The original crest was designed to represent the municipality.

The following list explains each aspect of the crest:

• the atom represents atomic energy
• the gear represents industry
• the sheaf of wheat represents agriculture
• the wavy lines at the bottom represent our location on Lake Ontario
• the leaves represent our greenspace

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.

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.

It was around this time in 1669 when French Jesuit Missionary, François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon, noted reaching what he called the village of “Gandatsetiagon” at the mouth of the Rouge River. Gradually, other missionaries and surveyors were sent to this area by the French and then later, the English. Tensions between Haudenosaunee groups and the French led to several conflicts over the course of the 1600s. Whether the French destroyed Ganatsekwyagon and other villages on the North Shore of Lake Ontario during conflicts in 1687, or the villages were abandoned when the Seneca moved south is not known. By 1687 the Haudenosaunee were restricted to the south of Lake Ontario and Ganatsekwyagon was abandoned.

At the time of the arrival of Europeans in this area, the Anishinaabe – specifically the Mississauga – inhabited the north shore of Lake Ontario. The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation moved into southern Ontario from their former homeland north of Lake Huron around the year 1700. From time immemorial, Mississauga people secured all their needs from the surrounding environment; hunting and fishing and harvesting plant materials for food and medicines. For nearly 100 years, the Mississauga people thrived in this land until the en masse arrival of the Europeans.

In 1763, the British defeated the French in Seven Years War and the area was transferred from French to British control. This begins the arrival of British colonial settlers, who began to migrate into the area from eastern parts of Canada, as well as Loyalists who sought refuge in the area after the American Revolution. In 1791, Augustus Jones undertook a survey of the area for the Government of Upper Canada. During this, he notes the name of several areas, including Duffin’s Creek, and establishing the baseline and some of the concession Roads. At this time, the area is called the Pickering Home District and it is transferred to the newly created province of Upper Canada.