Finding Mississauga in Collingwood, Ontario

Hurontario Street sign near Glen Huron.

Whenever we travel, I find myself drawn to making connections back to Mississauga. This past weekend we had a quick trip to Collingwood for a short getaway. We took a meandering road trip along the way, with several short stops. It gave us an opportunity to explore places we had seldom been to before, and, in the process, find some tidbits that connected back to Mississauga.

Collingwood Harbour, foot of Hurontario Street.

The first “find” of our trip that connected back to Mississauga occurred in Creemore, where we had a quick and delightful visit to what is reportedly the smallest jail in North America. Dubbed the “Little Lock-up”, the jail was built in 1894 and is a celebrated part of Creemore’s history. Located nearby is the National Historic Site of Claverleigh, which was built in 1871 as a rectory for Reverend William Rabbath Forster (1828-1887). St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Creemore was built under his direction in 1887. So, what the Mississauga connection? On May 24, 1850, William Rabbath Forster purchased 100 acres in Lot 32, Concession 2, NDS (North of Dundas Street), shortly after he arrived in Canada. In 1855, the property here in historic Mississauga was sold to his brother, Frederick Forster. That property is where the Millenium Grove and Dunn Park along Erin Mills Parkway, north of Burnhamthorpe Road, are located today. As for Reverend William Forster, he arrived in Creemore in 1870, built Claverleigh in 1871, and was buried in Creemore after he suddenly passed away in 1887.

Centre Road - Hurontario Street near Mulmur.

From Creemore, we travelled through the community of Singhampton, where a delightful and surprising find awaited us. We stumbled across the Singhampton Sculpture Forest. Talk about an immersive nature experience as you wander the grounds on a self-guided journey that features scenic woodland pathways and eclectic and whimsical art displays created by artists Marion Bartlett and Richard Bino. Truly a wonderful and surprising nature walk! And the Mississauga connection? A hat on a post the carried the name “Port Credit” – a random find in a forest!

Hurontario Street Road Sign, Collingwood.

Our journey then brought us to Collingwood where we spent a musical weekend with the Nashville takeover. Collingwood’s historic “main street” is Hurontario Street. Hurontario Street was surveyed between Port Credit (on Lake Ontario) and Collingwood (on Lake Huron) between 1818 and 1823 to encourage inland settlement. You can easily follow Hurontario Street (Highway 10) from Port Credit to Orangeville. At Orangeville, however, Hurontatio Street and Highway 10 separate. North of Primrose, you can follow portions the historic route of Hurontario Street (in some places called Centre Road). The route is segmented now, and only portions are passable, but it still offers a fascinating trip back in time. Highway 124 and Hurontario Street merge as you reach Collingwood. The road signs alone make an interesting connection back to Mississauga and highlight a shared history that helped to guide colonial settlers over 200 years ago.

Port Credit hat in the Singhampton Sculpture Forest.

Once in Collingwood, Hurontario Street ends at the shoreline of Lake Huron (Georgian Bay) and the former Collingwood shipyards and harbour. Historically Collingwood was a significant shipbuilding, transportation and commercial centre. Many ships that traversed the great lakes were built in Collingwood over the years, including a couple of schooners that sailed out of Port Credit, including the John Wesley (1885) and the Nahma (1923).

The last connection (on this getaway) to Mississauga came in people that we met along the way. Random seating at a couple of the venues saw us meet people with Mississauga connections: one grew up on Fifth Line West near Dundas Street West, while the other spent part of their youth in Lorne Park and Erindale, opening the door for conversations about Mississauga while being away from home. It is endlessly fascinating (at least to me!) to find bits of home while travelling elsewhere!