50 years ago, Square One and Mississauga City Centre were all farmland

Development started over 50 years ago in the late 1960s when the McLaughlin Group began to purchase the surrounding farmland, namely the Hodges, Hepton, McCauley and Davidson farms.

In 1965, the McLaughlin group unveiled a massive 25-year plan for Toronto Township (Mississauga).

Estimated at an unprecedented $150 million dollars for the time (equivalent to $1.2 billion today) – it included the development of 35 acres for industrial, 150 acres for commercial and 800 acres for residential purposes.

Raw land where the City Centre and Square One now stands with a sign announcing the new development in 1968.

Looking north where Burnhamthorpe and City Centre Drive would be.

The old Mississauga City Hall under construction.

The Univac headquarters in the early 1970s which is now the Morguard building.

The original Mississauga City Hall in the early 1970s.

Looking west to the building where Tim Hortons was before the building was demolished to make way for the Exchange District condo development.

Square One before it opened in the early 1970s

The Man Who Built Square One and the City Centre – Bruce McLaughlin.

(Photography courtesy of Ron Duquette)