COOKSVILLE HISTORY
DID YOU KNOW?
Cooksville was home to the Clair House vineyard and the Canada Vine Growers Association between 1864 and c1926, which was the first commercial winery in Ontario.
Cooksville was home to a renowned Master Baker, Henry Fullwood, between 1917 and 1956. He was famous for his soufflé and baked goods, and his products shipped internationally. In 1923 he won a gold medal for his Fullwood Fruit Cake in an exhibition in London, England. His bakery was known as the Model Bakery.
Cooksville was originally known as Harrisville after its first settler, Daniel Harris. In 1836 the community adopted the name of Cooksville, after Jacob Cook, one of the area’s industrious and leading citizens.
Cooksville was swept by fire on May 26, 1852. The fire started in Belcher’s Blacksmith shop and forge. Little of the village survived. The fire consumed 35 houses and businesses, 16 barns and 4 stables. The former Copeland General Store on the southeast corner of Hurontario Street and Dundas Street was built in 1852 following the fire.
The Agricultural Fall Fair was established in 1836 and ran during the first or second weekend in September until 1858, when it began to alternate annually with Streetsville. The fairs featured sport competitions, horse shows and racing, an auction, fruit stands and a famous bicycle race. When Streetsville no longer wished to “share the fair”, Cooksville formed their own fair committee in 1897. The last Cooksville Agricultural Fall Fair was held in 1951.
Confederation Parkway was originally called Hook Avenue named after Edward James Hook, who subdivided the property, and at first only ran south of Dundas Street. For a short time it was known as Royal Windsor, before being named Confederation Avenue in 1967, in honour of the centennial of Canada’s Confederation. At that time, a new public square was unveiled in front of Town Hall, called Confederation Square. In 1969 it was renamed Confederation Parkway, and in the late 1970s and early 1980s the road was extended north of Dundas Street.
Cooksville – Heritage Walking Tour Historic Image Key
Information courtesy of Heritage Mississauga
Historic images courtesy of Heritage Mississauga and the Mississauga Library System
1. Cooksville House Hotel (modern location address: 5 Dundas Street East)
This is the location of Jacob Cook’s original tavern, which was built in 1829 and burned in the great Cooksville fire of 1852. A new hotel, known as the Cooksville House, was built here in 1852. It operated as an inn, store, restaurant and bank into the 1930s. It was torn down in 1954 for the widening of Dundas Street. The present CIBC bank branch marks the location of the inn. The Cooksville House Hotel had many names over its history, including the “Royal Exchange”, the “Morley House and Post Office”, and the “King Hotel”. A later owner, George Bowers, renovated the building in 1923, making space for a barbershop and harness maker, and adding a cement verandah. At the time, the “Cooksville House” slogan was “the best 50 cent meals and excellent ice cream.” Proprietors of the Cooksville house over the years included Jacob Cook, “Ginger” Harris, Frank Morley, James King, Robert Ramsey, Sam Wilson, John Ward, George Bowers and John Braithewaite.
2. Revere House & Ward’s Drug Store (modern location address: 3024 Hurontario Street)
One of Cooksville’s most well-recognized historic landmarks was the Revere House. The building, which served at first as a hotel, was built c1830 by the Walterhouse family. The building was once smaller, but in 1891 it is believed that Edway Walterhouse had the structure moved closer to the road and added a second storey and balcony. The Revere House served the community as a hotel for many years, before becoming home to the Sterling (Union) Bank from Port Credit in 1907. In 1911 Bell Telephone’s first local exchange office for Toronto Township opened in the building. The Revere house later became home to Ward’s Rexall Drugstore, operated by Alfred Ward. The Revere House was rented to a succession of jewelry stores and beauty salons and Bill’s Men’s Wear. The building was torn down in 1965 when the intersection was widened.
3. Copeland General Store (modern location address: 10 Dundas Street East)
Built in 1852 by Jacob Cook, this two-storey, red brick building is Cooksville’s oldest surviving commercial building. Jacob Cook oversaw the operation of the general store amongst his many other enterprises until his death in 1873. George McClelland rented the building in 1873 from Jacob’s son, Miles Washington Cook, and operated a general store. George’s business prospered. In 1910 Alfred Scott purchased the store and renamed it Scott’s Grocery. Alfred had the first gas pump installed in front of the store in 1911. In 1912 the store was purchased by William Copeland. Renamed Copeland’s General Store, the building operated as a grocery and feed store, and William became Cooksville’s Post Master in 1922. As more and more cars began to appear, William opted to sell his corner lot to the British American Oil Company. In order to continue the grocery business, the store was moved 80 feet to the east in 1927. In 1948 William’s son Charles took over the store, and daughter Violet became the Post Mistress. The old store continues as a commercial enterprise today.
4. Crofton Villa (modern location address: 60 Dundas Street East)
Crofton Villa was originally the home of Miles Washington Cook, Jacob Cook’s son. It was built around 1890. In 1903 the property was purchased by George Shepard, who had a successful clothing business in Toronto. In 1922 Martin Crofton purchased the property and converted the large house into an inn, restaurant and banquet hall. In 1947 the property was acquired by Edward Waller, who operated Waller’s Restaurant and the Cooksville Rod & Gun Club. A new building was built next door in 1968, and the old Crofton Villa was torn down.
5. Cooksville Jersey Dairy (modern location address: 3025 Hurontario Street)
In November of 1933 Jimmy Newman purchased Hillside Dairy in Cooksville, which had been established by Price & Sayers in 1924. In 1938 Newman expanded his operation, retiring the horse and wagon, and purchased delivery trucks. He also equipped his operation with modern pasteurization and homogenizing machinery, becoming one of the first dairies in the Province to do so. Milk from the dairy was delivered every morning in Cooksville, Port Credit, Dixie and Streetsville. In 1949 an ice cream parlour was added, and Cooksville Jersey Dairy became a popular place to visit. By the late 1950s, the dairy employed some 50 people and operated 30 milk trucks, serving most of southern Peel. Newman sold the dairy business in 1969, and the dairy was torn down for the building of a new post office building.
6. Walterhouse Blacksmith Shop (modern location address: 3038 Hurontario Street)
Historic Cooksville was home to several blacksmith over time. In 1807 John Belcher operated a blacksmith shop, followed by Michael Readman in 1832. In 1850 Isaac Walterhouse ran a large blacksmith shop at the northwest corner of Hurontario and Agnes streets. Isaac passed on the blacksmithing trade to his son Lewis. Frank Walterhouse, Lewis’ son, was the last to run the blacksmith shop in 1920. The building was later converted to a house, and was eventually torn down about 1978.
7. (Fullwood) Model Bakery (modern location address: 19 Dundas Street West
Throughout its history, Cooksville has been home to several bakery establishments, but perhaps the best known was Henry Fullwood’s Model Bakery. Henry Fullwood arrived in Cooksville in 1917, and his business was an immediate success. In 1918 the building was lost to fire. By 1921 Fullwood was back in operation with his Cooksville Model Bakery. He specialized in fresh bread, mince pies, butter tarts and soufflés. In 1923 he won a gold medal in London, England, and at the bakery he added a tea room and refreshment parlour. By 1928 the Fullwood Fruit Cake was shipping abroad, including to American markets. Henry Fullwood retired in 1958 due to ill health, and briefly the building became home to a shoemaker, and was demolished in 1958.
8. Pardy Harness Shop (modern location address: 25 Dundas Street West)
Philip Pardy was born in Somerset, England, and settled in Cooksville in 1888, where he opened a harness shop. Philip and his wife Jemima were active members of the Cooksville Methodist Church. Philip Pardy’s Harness shop operated for over 40 years, and while his primary business was with making and repairing harnesses and saddles, he was also known to repair shoes. Philip was well-liked by all who knew him, and children from the village often gathered to watch him work and listen to his stories. In 1934 Philip celebrated his 83rd birthday while still working at his craft: “I have good health. I have never got rich, but neither have I been poor. I always have enough to eat and plenty of work, because I always do the best possible job for a reasonable price, making a fair profit.” Philip Pardy passed away in 1935.
9. Cooksville Post Office (modern location address: 47 Dundas Street West)
In 1839, a post office was opened in a house at the northeast corner of Dundas and Cook streets with J.H. Savigny listed briefly as Post Master, followed by Frank Morley. With the registration of the Post Office, Cooksville officially received its name. Frank Morley was succeeded by John Peaker in 1871, who built a new post office building on the same location. This building was in turn purchased by Herbert Shaver in 1898, who, in addition to being the Post Master, also ran a tinsmith shop from the small addition on the side. Herbert Shaver built the present building in 1914. The small side addition may have enclosed the original post office and tinsmith shop. The building later became a doctor’s office.
10. Cooksville Methodist Church (modern location address: 93 Dundas Street West)
Early parishioners travelled for religious services to Dixie Union Chapel, a short distance to the east along Dundas Road, which had been established in 1816. In 1821 the Methodists of Cooksville held their first services in a small log cabin that belonged to a group associated with the Independent Order of Rechabites. In 1844, the Methodists decided to build their own meeting place and constructed a lath and plaster building on Agnes Street. This new church was formerly opened in 1845. Services continued in the Agnes Street church until 1886, when the congregation decided to erect a new church on the south side of Dundas Street. This church was badly damaged in the cyclone of 1923, but was quickly rebuilt.
Samuel Harris bought the old Agnes Street church building and moved it adjacent to his home on the north side of Dundas Street, where he used the building for commercial purposes. After 1924, his son Gordon Harris carried on a Real Estate Business from the old building. It later became home to the Cooksville Library for a short time. The old church survived the fire of 1852, and was torn down in 1991.
11. Cooksville United Church (modern location address: 78 Dundas Street West
In 1886 a new Methodist Church was built here, replacing the 1844 church on Agnes Street. In 1925 the church became the Cooksville United Church. In 1957 the congregation built a new church building, which was officially opened in 1961. The 1886 church was used by the Toronto Township Public Library prior to the demolition of the building in 1963
12. Toronto Township Town Hall (modern location address: 104 Dundas Street West)
When Toronto Township incorporated in 1850, the first council meetings were held in the old Rechabites Hall. A new Township Hall was built in 1873, with the first Township Council meeting held on October 4, 1873 under the direction of Reeve Robert Cotton. The Township Hall was adjacent to the fairgrounds, and the Agricultural Fall Fair was an annual tradition between 1836 and 1951. In 1952 a new municipal building was built in front of, and attached to, the old Township Hall. Opened in 1953, the new Town Hall and Confederation Square became a focal point for municipal politics. The old Township Hall was home to offices for the Toronto Township Police and municipal records departments. In 1969 the old Township Hall was destroyed by fire. The second Town Hall, which had been opened in 1953 and enlarged in 1961, served as municipal offices until 1971.
13. Burrow’s House & General Store (modern location address: 113 Dundas Street West)
This was once the site of Ethel Burrow’s general store, which was located at the corner of Dundas Street and Ogden Street (now Novar Road) and Dundas streets. Ethel’s father-in-law, William Burrows, had delivered bread and cakes for the Canada Bread Company with horse and wagon, and the family was well-known in the Cooksville area. The Burrow’s General Store was typical of many small commercial establishments in rural communities, and offered a small selection of dry goods, groceries and hardware.
14. Clair House Winery (modern location address: 169 Dundas Street West)
Rear-Admiral Sir William George Parker purchased a farm lot west of Cooksville in 1841, and built a large house for the family which was dubbed “Clair House.” William’s sons, Henry and Melville Parker, planted grapes here, possibly by 1858. They connected with Justin De Courtenay, and collaborated to form the Canada Vine Growers Association in 1864. At the height of production in the mid-1860s, Clair House produced as much as 50,000 gallons of wine and a considerable amount of brandy. Clair House Winery was the first commercial vineyard and winery in Canada. Over time the vineyard was managed by Solomon White, George Torrance, Benjamin Murray and Andrew Aikins. The property was later acquired by Achilles Roumegous, who, together with his son Leopold, produced wine until 1926. In 1932 Clair House was lost to fire and the Canada Vine Growers Association had ceased to operate. The “Welcome to Cooksville” signs and nearby Parkerhill Road recall Clair House and the birth of the Ontario wine industry.
15. Cooksville Fairgrounds (modern location address: 78 Dundas Street West)
The Agricultural Fall Fair was first established in 1836 and ran the first or second weekend in September until 1858, when it began to alternate annually with Streetsville. The fairs featured various sports, horse shows and racing, ploughing matches, an auction, various competitions, fruit stands and a well-known bicycle race. There are even pictures of “auto polo” being played at the fair. When Streetsville no longer wished to “share the fair”, Cooksville formed their own fair committee in 1897. The last Cooksville Agricultural Fall Fair was held on September 14, 1951.
16. Intersection of Dundas & Hurontario (modern location address: roadway intersection)
To many people today, the name Cooksville simply refers to the busy intersection of Dundas and Hurontario Street, and rarely noticed are the small collection of old buildings that dot the Cooksville landscape. Bits of historic Cooksville do still show, giving a glimpse into Cooksville’s past.
The first settler in the immediate Cooksville area was Daniel Harris, who arrived in 1809. Over time Cooksville gained popularity as a “jumping-off-place” for weary travellers going between Niagara and York because of its central location and the confluence of two early and important roads. The village became a thriving place that consisted of several stores, multiple hotels, blacksmith shops and a saw mill. In time Cooksville developed into an important hub of activity in the early township until 1852 when a fire razed many of the homes and businesses. The community began to rebound with expanded ventures into winemaking, oil refining and brick making. In 1873, Cooksville was chosen as the new site for the Township Hall, and later as the site of the first Town Hall for Mississauga, and first Mississauga Central Library.
Originally dubbed “Harrisville”, the community was formally named Cooksville in 1836 after its most prominent early resident, Jacob Cook (1796-1873). By 1819, Jacob had established his home at the southwest corner of Hurontario Street and Dundas Street. In 1820 Jacob received the government contract to carry mail once a week between York and Ancaster. In 1829 he built the first hotel in the village and began a stagecoach service, together with his expanding mail contracts. At its height, the stagecoach and mail routes went to Kingston, Hamilton, Toronto, Queenstown, Niagara, Brantford, Galt, Preston, London, Goderich and throughout Peel and Halton Counties, and Cooksville was the centre of his marvellous network. Cooksville became part of the Town of Mississauga in 1968.
Dundas Street was first surveyed as a military road in 1796, and Hurontario Street was surveyed in 1818. The intersection of these two early and significant roads was a significant building block in the story of Cooksville. Hurontario Street was also known locally as Centre Road. The route eventually extended to Collingwood and was formally renamed Hurontario Street, linking Lake Huron and Lake Ontario.
17. Royal Bank of Canada (modern location address: 2 Dundas Street West
This site was once the location of Jacob Cook’s home, which was built in 1819 and was lost to fire in 1899. The site has been home to a Royal Bank since 1927. A second bank building was built here in 1969, and was in turn replaced by the current building in 1995