You would be forgiven if, while zooming along the QEW past Winston Churchill Boulevard today (on a good traffic flow day), you did not recognize the few physical reminders that remain on the landscape from the historic crossroads hamlet of Sheridan.

The Model Bakery in Cooksville opened relatively quietly in April of 1917. The bakery was an immediate success, and became known for its pies, breads and exceptional cakes.

When German troops invaded Belgium in 1914, Marie Therese was a beautiful, dark-eyed girl in her early 20s.

The “great chase” as it was dubbed lasted some nine miles, with over 50 shots being fired. Detective Burrows’ car was struck by bullets nine times.

Thankfully, tornadoes are infrequent here in Mississauga and our immediate surrounding area, although they have happened.

I paused at the intersection of Isabella Avenue and Parker Drive and recounted what I knew of the history of the Parker-Gordon families and the development of the Gordon Woods subdivision beginning in the 1920s.

Hard to imagine Robin Hood in the wilds of historic Mississauga, so what on earth are those name references doing here?

He had lived in the Dixie area for over 40 years and was described in his obituary as a “typical Irishman – blunt, outspoken and at times aggravating, but warm-hearted, generous and forgiving.”

Exploring three heritage landmarks here in Mississauga that have an early Irish connection.

The stories are inspiring and limitless and also highlight the importance of preserving and celebrating our collective heritage.

Darkness and violence came in the early morning hours of February 4, 1880 and what befell one family continues to ring down through the years.

By 1850 land was acquired from the Street family, and in 1851 a one-room red-brick schoolhouse welcomed its first students

Harold Shipp, following his father Gordon Shipp, left a legacy behind that transcended development and helped to shape our city for generations of residents.

Following on the theme of New Year’s wishes, we spent a bit of time perusing old newspapers to see how the new year sentiments were shared in the past.

Christmas of 1917 also saw 70 soldiers from the Port Credit area receive Christmas care boxes courtesy of the Port Credit Women’s Patriotic League and the Red Cross.