5 Hidden Facts About Mississauga

History is fascinating, and so is the city you live in!

Learn more about Mississauga with these interesting, and some very dark, facts about the city that are guaranteed to tantalize your mind. And I know you haven’t heard these before.

Here are five hidden facts about Mississauga.

5.  There Is An Elephant Buried In Mississauga Somewhere

In 1912, A.W. Miles,  a Toronto undertaker, established a country home and private zoo in Mimico but was soon forced to relocate Miles Park Farm just west of what is now Erindale. Out of his many different animals, the most popular was a Burmese elephant named Tootsie. On February 14th, 1943, a fire struck the farm, and 70 animals, including Tootsie, were killed. Toosie’s bones are still buried on the property, perhaps in modern Brookmede Park.

4. Mississauga Could Have Been Named Something Else By The Public

Stonehenge, Xebec, Westoville. No these aren’t made up names; these are the names that were among the top contenders for names for modern day Mississauga. A 1965 call for public input on naming the town received thousand of different suggestion. Many other names came through such as Go-A-Head, Erehwon (nowhere backwards), Canadiana, Ookpik, Mapleton, Mapleleaf and Newflag. However, in the end, Mississauga received 486 nominations.

3. Cherry Hill Is Haunted

Cherry Hill is one of Mississauga’s most haunted properties. According to the Southern Ontario Paranormal Society, the Cherry Hill House is one of Canada’s top haunted landmarks. The youngest Silverthorn son, George, had gone to California to seek his fortune in the gold rush and returned home to marry. After the ceremony, guests were gathered in the home celebrating the nuptials when they heard a knock on the door. George answered and went outside to discuss something with the visitor. He was never to be seen again, and no trace of him was ever found. It was said that whenever his disappearance was ever discussed in Cherry Hill, the front door would open and close on its own. There are also many rumours from the residents of Mississauga.

2. Mississauga Used To Have The Biggest Marine Transportation Centre

Port Credit used to be the biggest major marine transportation centre. Port Credit then became a home base for commercial fishermen. In the 1960s, the harbour was a package freight terminal. Now, the marina area is busy with recreational boaters and sports anglers.

1. Mississauga Had A Serial Killer

Mississauga Serial Killer Doug Moore killed two young men — Meadowvale resident Robert Grewal and Milton resident Joseph Manchisi — because he believed that they had broken into his Meadowvale home earlier that year and robbed him of over $4,000 worth of legal and illegal goods. He also killed a 15-year-old teenager named Rene Charlebois for unknown reasons. He was named one of Mississauga’s first serial killers.

BONUS:

Fort Mississauga In Niagara-on-the-Lake

It may not be in Mississauga, but something that shares the city’s name has a rich history. Before Fort Mississauga, which is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, was built, it was used by three Native American tribes, the Neutral, Seneca and Mississauga. In 1804, the first lighthouse on the Great Lakes was built which was known as Mississauga Point. It was dismantled in 1814 to make Fort Mississauga, which used stones from the lighthouse.

Photo courtesy City of Mississauga.