Malton, Mississauga

1820–1936

The Second Purchase from the Mississauga Indians on Wednesday, October 28, 1818, was for 648,000 acres. Toronto Township received 34,556 acres, increasing its total acreage to 64,125. The Toronto Township expansion included Malton Village.

The village of Malton took up the east half of Lot 11, Concession 6, East Hurontario Street (EHS). This was the 100-acre land grant of Joseph Price that was designated in 1821. Most sources say Malton was first settled in 1819 or 1820.

The northeast corner of Toronto Township was first settled in 1820 by Richard Halliday. There is no Halliday listed in the Land Registry papers, so he probably was a squatter and then rented, or his purchase was not registered. Halliday was the local blacksmith and innkeeper, and he named the settlement Malton, after his home in England, Malton, North Yorkshire.

Another early settler was Joseph Tomlinson. His land petition was dated August 25, 1819. He and his wife Mary came to Malton in August 1820 to claim his 100-acre land grant; the east half of Lot 10, Conc. 7. Joseph built a cabin 16x20, cleared and fenced 5 acres, cleared the roadway in front of the property within 18 months to comply with the conditions of his land grant.

Other early settlers included:

In the 1840s, the Blanchard family cleared land northwest of the Four Corners and the area became the Village of Malton.

In 1850, when Toronto Township was incorporated, Malton had a population of 350. The introduction of the Grand Trunk Railway in 1854, allowed better access to Toronto markets for local farmers and Malton thrived as a result. The village of Malton was subdivided in 1855. The population was 600 in 1864. Malton was chosen as the county seat in 1867, but Brampton contested the decision and was awarded the county seat a year later. Its economic prosperity declined, as did the population, to 200. The opportunity for advancement was dealt another blow when the Credit Valley Railway came to Dixie, Streetsville, Meadowvale and Churchville in 1879. Malton suffered with the drop in shipping business.

Malton was incorporated as a Police Village in 1914.

1937–1945

In 1937, Malton experienced a major shift from agricultural to an industrial economy when 13 farms were selected to become the location of a 'million dollar, world class airport' (now known as Toronto Pearson International Airport) and location for a new Aircraft manufacturing Industry.

In April 1937, Land agents representing the Toronto Harbour Commission approached the farmers of Malton who owned Lots 6-10 on Concession 5 and 6 to acquire land for Malton Airport. The farmers were:

In 1937 the agreements were drawn up for a total purchase of 1410.8 acres (including 108 acres for National Steel Car and 243.73 for Department of National Defense).

Airport

The Chapman Farm house was the first airport terminal (1937). In 1939, a wooden terminal that was identical to the one built at Toronto City Centre Airport, replaced the Chapman Farm House as the airport terminal.

Malton Airport was also the site of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facilities during the war-time years.

Aircraft industry

National Steel Car built a manufacturing plant in 1938. On November 4, 1942, the Federal government expropriated National Steel Car and set up the crown corporation called Victory Aircraft. Victory Aircraft produced Avro Lancaster bombers from 1942 to 1945.

Victory Village

In 1942, the Canadian Government expropriated the north part of the former Fred Codlin farm and built 200 military-style houses for war-time workers. “Victory Village” streets had war-time references; Victory, McNaughton (Andrew McNaughton, commander of the Canadian Forces in the UK), Churchill and Lancaster (Avro Lancasters were built at Victory Aircraft from 1943 to 1945). Victory Community Hall was built shortly after (at Victory Park) and was renovated in 2010.

There were two other streets in the Village, Anson Ave. & Merrit Ave. Anson ran horizontally at the top of Lancaster. Merrit ran behind Churchill Ave.

1945–1969

Originally on the border (Airport Road) between Toronto Gore and Toronto Townships, Malton was ceded to Toronto Township in 1952. Along with the rest of Toronto Township, it became part of the town of Mississauga in 1967. Mississauga became a city in 1974.

Airport

The Trans-Canada Airport terminal replaced the wooden terminal in 1949. The Trans-Canada Terminal was replaced by the Aeroquay Terminal in 1964.

Aircraft industry

A.V. Roe Canada Limited was established on December 1, 1945 and assumed control of Victory Aircraft. In 1946, A.V. Roe acquired Turbo Research Limited, which was later renamed Orenda Engines. On August 10, 1949, the Avro Jetliner made its first flight. On January 19, 1950 the CF-100 Jet Interceptor/Fighter made its maiden flight.

By 1958, Malton acquired an international reputation as a leader in aeronautical design and manufacturing. Malton was the home of the famous Avro Arrow, Canada's first supersonic aircraft, still believed to have been years ahead of its time. On February 20, 1959, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker terminated the project and the five completed Arrows were dismantled. After the cancellation of the Avro Arrow program in 1959, the plant was operated by de Havilland Canada (1962), Douglas Aircraft (1965) McDonnell Douglas Canada (1981), and Boeing Canada (1997) before being demolished in 2005.

Housing

The Ridgewood subdivision was built in the mid-1950s. Ridgewood (Justine Drive, Capricorn Crescent, Michaud Avenue, Honeysuckle Avenue, Sonja Road, Minotola Avenue, Etude Drive, Lipomanis Drive (Cambrett) and Hermitage Road) was originally called "Malton Defence Homes Subdivision".

Marvin Heights subdivision was built in the late 1950s (Redstone Road, Bonaventure Drive and Chinook Drive).

The Westwood subdivision was started in the mid-1960s (Morning Star Drive, Darcel Avenue, Dunrankin Drive). Laddie Crescent was established in 1967. Darla Drive, Discus Crescent, Lockington Crescent, Monica Drive, and Rockhill Road are listed on the 1968 Voter list 16242. Wrenwood Crescent and Yuma on 16243. Corliss Crescent, Darcel Avenue, Wyewood Road, Custer Crescent, Meyer Drive, Morningstar Drive, Bayswater Crescent, Madiera Road, Magic Court, Harwick Drive, Topping Road, Wainbrook Road, Dellaport Drive, Woodruff Crescent and Crabtree Crescent also appear on the 1968 Voter lists.

Gas explosion

On Saturday, October 25, 1969 at 2:55 PM a natural gas line leak caused an explosion and fire at the “Four Corners” (the intersection of Airport and Derry Road) of Malton. The “blowtorch” flame was 150 feet high and the heat was estimated to be 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. Consumer's Gas finally shut the gas off about 4 hours later.

The Avronian Restaurant, Langford's Variety, Malton Hardware and Baker's Lumber were blown apart. The fire consumed Pat's Steak on a Bun and Sit n' Eat restaurants and damaged the Bank of Nova Scotia, Malton Fruit Market (Longo's), Abell's Drug Store and Shirley's Pool Hall.

75-year-old Jean Perigo was killed instantly and 20 other people were injured. Two houses, 17 businesses and 49 cars were destroyed. 18 families who live in apartments above the stores were homeless. Over 350 families were evacuated. The total damage was estimated to be $1.5 million. Reconstruction took place over a 10-year period at a cost of $6.5 million. Some businesses re-opened and others closed forever. The “Four Corners” of Malton never regained its former vitality.

Aircraft industry

The office and manufacturing plant facilities, on the Southwest corner of Airport and Derry Road, that was built by National Steel Car 1938-1942, and subsequently used by Victory Aircraft (1942–1945), A.V. Roe Canada (1945), de Havilland Canada (1962), Douglas Aircraft (1965), McDonnell Douglas Canada (1981), and Boeing Canada (1997) was demolished in 2005.

Orenda Aerospace Division, Magellan Aerospace Corporation continues to operate at 3160 Derry Road east.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industry Canada Aerospace, Inc. (MHICA) celebrated their 10-year anniversary in May, 2016. MHICA is a recognized North American Tier 1 heavy aerostructure manufacturer.

Airport and transportation

In addition to the airport, Malton has great importance as a transportation link between Toronto and its suburbs to the west, particularly Brampton and the other parts of Mississauga. Among other things, the tiny neighbourhood borders the airport, Brampton, Vaughan and Etobicoke. As such, it is very strategically placed and important to the flow of people and goods throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

Demographics

The predominantly British town saw an influx of Italian and Polish immigrants from the immediate post-war period through the 1960s, and its proximity to Pearson International Airport (known as Malton Airport from 1939–1960) made it a magnet for immigrants from India (including a large Sikh community) and continues to attract them to this day.

Malton Public School closed in June 1981 and became the Guru Singh Sabba Community Centre.

Malton is now a working-class neighbourhood that includes people of many backgrounds.

Hockey

The Malton Minor Hockey Association MMHA was founded in 1949. Malton Arena was built in 1968. The arena was renamed Paul Coffey Arena on September 23, 2016. The MMHA became defunct in 2005.

Lacrosse

Malton Renegades ran a very successful minor lacrosse program however it also folded in 1982 when they joined with Erindale, Cawthra to form Mississauga Minor lacrosse. Clarkson, the last remaining separate minor club within the City limits would also join in the late 80's. A Jr "C" team also played out of the Malton Arena for a number of years.

Public schools

Malton is served by the Peel District School Board, which operates secular English-language public schools. The Conseil scolaire Viamonde operates regional French-language secular public schools.

Elementary schools

Secondary school

Catholic schools

Malton's Catholic community is served by the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board, which operates English-language Catholic schools. The Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud operates regional French-language Catholic schools.

Elementary schools

Development

As of 2010, a new bus terminal was built on the corner of Morningstar Dr. and Goreway Dr. An overbridge at railway crossing on Goreway Drive has been started and will soon begin construction. Malton Route 107 travel times will be reduced once the Mississauga Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) transitway is complete.

A new Punjabi/Indian shopping plaza has been constructed at Drew Road and Airport Road.

There are two new pools under construction at the community centre, two new ambulance stations on either side of Malton and one new fire hall.

Notable people