| While many cities in Canada can boast roots that go | | | | after leaving the state of New York, settled the |
| right back into the 18th and even 17th centuries, not | | | | village itself in the 1820s. Because of its proximity to |
| many can point to physical evidence of their long | | | | the Credit River, the village naturally lent itself to the |
| lives that still remain. Most of the towns and cities in | | | | milling industry, which quickly became the main |
| Canada that have been long established are located in | | | | economical driver in the town. In fact, Meadowvale |
| Ontario and Quebec, and for the most part they are | | | | continued to mill peacefully until the middle of the |
| today major cities (one thinks of Toronto, Montreal, | | | | 20th century, when the transportation boom caught |
| and Quebec City, for example). While these cities still | | | | up to it and highways began to be constructed all |
| retain many of their old town characteristics, much of | | | | around. |
| the physical building that occurred in their infancy has | | | | The village was locate close to Highway 401, and |
| been replace by more modern structure. | | | | therefore in 1968 Meadowvale itself was incorporated |
| While French Canada has managed to retain many of | | | | into the new city of Mississauga. A mere 12 years |
| its old buildings, even in major cities, the same is not | | | | later, in 1980, Ontario government and municipal |
| true for Ontario. Ontario’s growth rate, in | | | | officials began to listen to the petitions of |
| particular during the last century, has meant that the | | | | Meadowvale residents to protect their heritage home |
| old has been replace by the new in many areas. One | | | | from developers. In fact, Meadowvale was unique; |
| exception is the village of Meadowvale, a town that | | | | almost all of the homes standing in the village had |
| has its roots in the early 19th century. Today, the | | | | been built in the mid 1800s, and many of them were |
| village is a part of the city of Mississauga (yet | | | | still standing. |
| another thriving Ontario metropolis) and is located | | | | Because of this claim to fame, Meadowvale Village |
| next to some of the richest business districts in the | | | | was officially recognizes as Ontario’s first |
| country. Yet Meadowvale Village has retained many | | | | Heritage Conservation District. The buildings in the |
| of its historical features, including many of its original | | | | Village are protected from development and the |
| homes. Let’s take a look at some Meadowvale | | | | region itself is recognized as a unique preservation of |
| history. | | | | important parts of Canada’s past. |
| Immigrants of Irish stock, who arrived in Canada | | | | |