Mississauga Off The Beaten Path

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This conservation area is named after the lake, which is the focal point. The lake is a naturally occuring kettle lake that is a legacy of the last galacial age in Southern Ontario.

The dense forest surrounding the lake makes it very wild even though the area is located few minutes away from the city of Brampton. The dense forest was our focal point though we had a whole day devoted with our relatives to boating, fishing, playing and bbqing.

There are over 8 kilometers of scenic natural trails within the conservation area. We found them to be less used and quite wild. Light values were low and we could not take many pictures.

We rented a boat for fishing. We thought that we were lucky in having the boat because of the big demand for them, but in the end we found out that fish were more lucky. We did not catch much. The lake is stocked with fish reared in the hatcheries of Glen Haffy Conservation Area. In order to reach the lake, we had to climb down about 40 steps of a wooden stair.

We occupied one picnic spot (there are 14 of such sites) and prepared the bbq, while the younger lot played football and soccer.

In order to get to the area, take Highway 410 north from Highway 401, which becomes Heart Lake Road. You will find the Conservation Area on your right hand side at 10818 Heart Lake Road.

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We continued driving north on Winston Churchill for 2 kms after Terra Cotta to reach the Conservation Area on our right hand side.

Since the entrance offices are usually unmanned, the parking fee of $5.00 has to be paid manually by inserting exact amount in one of the envelopes piled up under a shade. The receipt has to demonstrated across the dashboard, because the watchman do check the vehicles parked inside the area for payment of fee.

When we visited the conservation area in mid-September 2006, it was raining, visibility was low and humidity was high. There were many trails to take and there is a link to the well-known Bruce Trail, as well as trails suitable for cross-country skiing. Its trails also connect with those of Silver Creek Conservation Area and Scotsdale Farm, just to the south. We decided to take the one going around the lake. The hike turned out to be quite exciting.

Terra Cotta Conservation Area consists of 408 acres of rugged terrain on the Niagara Escarpment. It provides habitat for a wide variety of wetland plants and animals.

We took the Creditview Road from Steeles Avenue West in Brampton and drove in northerly direction. The road twists and turns through beautiful riverside homes and tall trees of Brampton. One has to be careful, because there are many blind turns. Children seem to play in sprawling lawns in summer months and bicyclists abound.

However, unfortunately, we had to take a detour when Creditview Road reached Bovaird Avenue. We had to turn right to Chincagousy Road and then turn back to Creditview Road after Bovaird.

Once we left Brampton, the views along the road became very beautiful. For one, the road itself started going up and down the hilly area. The bicyclists here were seen toiling but enjoying every bit of it. Ultimately, we reached Caledon Hills where there were horse stables on both sides of the road. This area was a haven for hikers and bicyclists.

The road climbed a sharp rise with a sharp turn, continued for 5 more kms and then dropped sharply along a bend (a double trouble) to meet with LaGrange Road. We turned east on LaGrange and ended up on Hurontario Road (i.e. Highway 10). We headed south from here back to Brampton and then Mississauga.

The entire Peel District offers many spots for observing wildlife and birds. Birds, especially, can be observed at many conservation parks, gardens, and even in the backyards of residential homes.

Mammals are difficult to sight, but if you are patient, mother nature will reward you with a sighting of coyotes, deers, skunks, woodchucks, and even beavers.

May and October are the best months for watching birds as they migrate through the region.

As spring comes, so does the Red-Tailed Hawk (see picture), which can be observed sitting on telephone cables and on top of electric poles for long periods of time waiting for prey on the ground. A pair of Canada Geese will be often seen with their chicks following them even on busy roads. Put a birdfeeder in your backyard and Cowbirds, Common Gackles, doves, Toohies, and even shy Blue Jays will flock in.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. In 2005, my husband decided to take snapshots of birds in our backyard. We counted 15 different species in peak summer months. But do remember that many species do not visit backyards.

This would be BEATTY-SKALIN HOUSE built c. 1825 (1125 Willow Lane).

This structure is possibly the oldest remaining house in Meadowvale Village, although somewhat altered from its original appearance. John Beatty may have built it, and it later belonged to James Crawford before Crawford sold his mill and holdings to Francis Silverthorn in the 1840s. Willow Lane was once known as Water Street, which was appropriately named since Water Street homes were severely flooded by the Credit River on many occasions during spring thaws. The flats behind the homes along Willow Lane were once the site of many of the village's biggest industries. By the 1850s, the Johnson brothers were operating their Mammoth Iron Works and Foundry here, and an extensive cooperage was needed to support the operations of the grist mill. There was also row housing for the coopers which was known as "Quality Row". There was a carriage maker, a blacksmith and a Mr. Stillman who operated a successful cheese factory on the Willow Lane flats around the turn of the century.

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The lazy course of the Credit River belies its importance to the establishment of Meadowvale village. The founding of mills in 1845 at Old Mill Lane along the course of the river provided the single greatest incentive to the growth of the surrounding community. The early mills operated by Simpson and Crawford paved the way for new growth. Francis Silverthorn, son of one the Township’s first pioneers, arrived in Meadowvale, purchased a portion of John Crawford’s mill allowance, and entered into competition with John Simpson. He built a dam and millrace and erected a large sawmill. Silverthorn expanded his complex in 1845, constructing a large grist mill. In 1853 tragically the mill and its 10,000 bushels of wheat burned. With new financial backing from the Bank of Upper Canada, Silverthorn quickly rebuilt. Unluckily the wheat market collapsed in 1860 following the Crimean War, and the firm of Gooderham and Worts took over operation of the mill. After the departure of Gooderham and Worts in 1880, the grist mill fell into disuse by the 1950s and was demolished in 1954.

They called APPLE TREE INN establish c. 1858 (7053 Pond St.) a Tea Room because serving alcohol was illegal.

Luther Cheyne, who served as the village’s first postmaster in 1854, built this residence in 1858.
Throughout most of its existence, the structure has served as a private home. In 1920, however, Miss Yates and Miss Beardmore acquired the house and opened a tea room, which remained in business until 1944. The proprietors had the distinction of offering the only place in the village
where a visitor could find a room and refreshment after the prohibition movement had forced the closure of the other public houses in Meadowvale. During the summers of 1920 and 1921, the tea room catered to the students of the Ontario College of Art who traveled to the area to sketch and paint the local scenery. The Apple Tree Inn is now a private family dwelling.

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This is ORR-MEAD HOUSE built c. 1870 at 1101 Willow LaneThis property exhibits an interesting history, and past owners include several prominent families in the history of Meadowvale Village, including the Gooderham, Orr, Southern and Mead families. The large main house is the newest addition to the property, having been built in 1999 by the Mead family, incorporating parts of an 1890s inn that was originally in South Carolina. Also on the property
are the buildings that served as Johnson’s wagon shop and blacksmith shop, built circa 1870. An earlier residence, built circa 1860, also remains.