Port Credit, Ontario
| Port Credit | |
|---|---|
| — Unincorporated community — | |
 |
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| Coordinates: 43°33′7″N 79°35′4″W / 43.55194°N 79.58444°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Regional municipality | Peel |
| City | Mississauga |
| Established | 1798 |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Forward sortation area | L5G and L5H |
| Area code(s) | 905 and 289 |
| NTS Map | 030M12 |
| GNBC Code | FCHYR |
Port Credit (pop. 10,260 as of the 2001 census) is found at the mouth of the Credit River on the north shore of Lake Ontario, within the south-central area of the city of Mississauga. Port Credit's boundaries are the Queen Elizabeth Way to the north, Seneca Avenue and the western edge of the Adamson Estate to the east and Godfrey's Lane and the townhouse complex located on the west side of Shawnmarr Road to the west.
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History
The name "Port Credit" came from its roots as a trading post where goods were traded or bought on credit. The earliest reference is on a map drawn in 1757 by La Broquerie at Fort Frontenac, a fort built by the French at the mouth of the Cataraqui River, the site of the city of Kingston. Its harbour, at the mouth of the Credit River, was once a working fishing port and a regional trading centre for grain and other agricultural products. A lighthouse was in use from 1882 to 1918 and remained standing until destroyed by fire in 1936.
The first permanent structure to be built in the village was the Government Inn (1798–1861), once located on the east bank of the River. Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe had ordered construction of the Inn to serve as a way station for travellers by land and lake, and it was leased to a succession of residents until its destruction by fire. The village plan was laid out in 1834 and for several years, Port Credit was a thriving harbour community. It acquired the status of "police village" in 1909, and town status in 1961.
The port was supplanted as a trading centre for shipping by the coming of the railway. Later in the 19th century, it became known for its stonehooking trade.[1] Other industries such as the St. Lawrence Starch Works (1889–1989)[2] and the Port Credit Brick Yard (1891–1927) provided employment for many local residents. In 1932 L.B.Lloyd built an oil refinery on the old brick yard site and operated by a succession of operators culminating in its purchase by a division of Texaco who operated it until its closing in 1985, when Texaco opened a new much larger facility at Nanticoke on Lake Erie.[3][4]
There was a large munitions factory in Port Credit staffed almost exclusively by women during the war[when?].[5]
Starting early in the 20th century, particularly after the paving of the Lakeshore Highway in 1915, Port Credit had become an attractive location for business, travelers and people wishing to leave the city of Toronto in summer. In 1960 the Don Rowing Club moved to the banks of the Credit River.
Port Credit did not amalgamate with its neighbouring settlements in southern Peel County when the Town of Mississauga was created from the former Toronto Township in 1968. Port Credit maintained its independence until the City of Mississauga was incorporated in 1974. Today the harbour has been redeveloped into a marina on the east bank and a charter fishing centre and public boat launch facility on the west bank under the lighthouse. Port Credit Harbour Marina is the largest public marina in the region. The RIDGETOWN (launched June 24, 1905 as WILLIAM E. COREY, a Lake Bulk freighter) has been a structure of Port Credit since June 21, 1974, when she was loaded with stone and, with her cabins and stack still in place, sunk as a breakwater for the Port Credit Harbour.
The tallest structure in Port Credit used to be a 320-foot-tall (98 m) smokestack[6] at the St Lawrence Starch plant which has since been demolished. The stack falling marked the change of Port Credit into a residential area from the former industrial hub.
Community
The Port Credit arena was constructed between September 10, 1958 and the official opening on October 4, 1959. Built for $360,000, it is the second covered arena in the current city of Mississauga, the first public arena built, and is the oldest surviving arena in the city. It is the home of the Port Credit Storm hockey teams.
A replica of Port Credit's lighthouse was built by the Lions Club of Credit Valley atop a sewage pumping station; it is the home of the local BIA and Tourist Bureau and the logo for many local organizations.
The Port Credit Library, located on 20 Lakeshore Road East, sits beside the Credit River and a large public park. Along with the Lorne Park and Lakeview branches, the Port Credit Library was redeveloped as part of the Ontario Government's Infrastructure Stimulus Fund beginning in 2009. [7]
Tourism
Port Credit is commonly referred to as Mississauga's "Village on the Lake" along Lake Ontario. The area hosts several festivals and events, notably:
- Waterfront Festival which occurs at the end of June[8]
- The Port Credit In-Water Boat Show. An annual event, to be held in August, at the Port Credit Harbour Marina. Ontario's largest in-water boat show[9]
- Southside Shuffle, an annual three day Blues and Jazz festival in September, founded in 1999 by Chuck Jackson[10]
- "Port Credit's Busker Fest" held in August[11]
Transportation
Port Credit started as a shipping centre in 1834 with harbour improvements paid for by the government. In 1855 a branch of the Great Western Railway was added.
Lakeshore Road, formerly Highway 2, runs along the lake and Hurontario Street, formerly Highway 10, runs northwest to downtown Mississauga and Brampton.
Port Credit had access to the nearby Queen Elizabeth Way from the upgrading of the old Middle Road from Highway 27 to Highway 10 to a divided highway in 1931.
Over the years the railway has expanded to three tracks; its prime importance to Port Credit is the GO Train service carrying residents to and from Toronto. The majority of the residences are within walking distance of the Port Credit GO Station just north of the intersection of Lakeshore and Hurontario Street. This is a transportation hub of Southern Mississauga, linking both the city's bus system and GO Transit.
Notable people
Port Credit was the birthplace or home of:
- Anthony Adamson, architect, educator, descendant of the Adamson family
- Jill Barber, musician
- Matthew Barber, musician
- Don Biederman, former NASCAR Grand National race car driver
- Dave Hilton Jr., professional boxer
- Winnie Roach Leuszler, first Canadian to cross the English Channel
- Christian Potenza, actor
- Kyle Schmid, actor
- Matt Stajan, professional ice hockey player
- Michael Young, Olympic bobsledder
References
- ^ [http://www.oakvilletrails.com/bronteharbour-essay5.htm
- ^ http://www5.mississauga.ca/heritage/new/stlawrence.htm
- ^ http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/Documents/Scanner/05/04/default.asp?ID=c008
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ http://www.teperman.ca/projects.html
- ^ "Building Our Future Mississauga". http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/cityhall/fundingprograms. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
- ^ http://www.themwf.com/
- ^ [3]
- ^ See Southside Shuffle website; www.southsideshuffle.com.
- ^ http://www.portcreditbuskerfest.com/
External links
- portcredit.ca - Mississauga's Web Site on the Lake - Community Web Site
- Port Credit - Mississauga's Village on the Lake - Port Credit Business Association Web Site
- Southside Shuffle - Blues and Jazz festival held every September
- Mississauga Canoe Club - Located on the west bank of the Credit River north of Lakeshore Rd. W.
- Don Rowing Club - Don Rowing Club's home on the Credit River
- Paint the Town Red - Canada Day in Port Credit
- Transit Toronto - History of Transit linking Port Credit to Toronto
- Canoeing The Credit River - Port Credit to Orangeville for the hardy
- Historical photos - Pictures of Port Credit in the Mississauga Heritage Collection
- History of Canadian Ports on Lake Ontario - History of Toronto area ports
- Government House Plaque in Memorial Park - Number 33
- portcreditliving.tv - Port Credit Living TV - Video interviews with individuals who live and work in Port Credit
- PortCreditBoatShow.ca - Held annually the last weekend in August in the Port Credit Harbour Marina. Ontario's Largest In-Water Boat Show for both new and used power and sailboats.
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Coordinates: 43°33′07″N 79°35′04″W / 43.55194°N 79.58444°W
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