Heritage Mississauga Heritage Guide

Founding Villages
Meadowvale Village
Established c1836
Meadowvale Village Sign
Heritage Mississauga
The story of Meadowvale Village begins
in 1819 when twenty-nine families, led by
John Beatty and Joseph Cater, emigrated
from New York State and settled in this
area. The “founders” of the village are
considered to be John Beatty, James
Crawford, John Simpson and Francis
Silverthorn. Beginning in 1833 Beatty’s
large land holdings were purchased
by James Crawford, who in turn sold
these properties to Aaron and Francis
Silverthorn. Crawford, followed by
Silverthorn and Simpson, established the
strong milling traditions of Meadowvale,
and laid the framework for the village
that emerged after 1836. The village streets
and lots were surveyed in 1856, although
several buildings pre-date this survey.
By the 1860s, Meadowvale boasted a
general store, post office, shoemaker,
two blacksmiths, a carriage and harness
maker, wagon shop, cooperage, carpenter,
schoolhouse, cheese factory, two sawmills,
a chopping mill, and the large grist mill.
Meadowvale was also home to a literary
and debating society known as the
“Fortnightly Club”, who produced the
Meadowvale Mirror newspaper. In 1968
Meadowvale (now known as Meadowvale
Village) joined with the other villages of
Toronto Township to form the Town of
Mississauga. Due to the well-preserved
historic character of the area, Meadowvale
Village became Ontario’s first Heritage
Conservation District in 1980.
Meadowvale Miniature Village & Museum (on Private Property)
Terry Wilson
www.heritagemississauga.com 31