Milton, Ontario
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Milton (2006 population 58,700) is a town in southern Ontario, Canada, about 40 km west of Toronto on Highway 401, and is the western terminus for GO Transit's Milton Line commuter train and bus corridor.
Milton is part of the Greater Toronto Area and is the seat of Halton Region, and is on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO world biosphere reserve and the Bruce Trail.
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[edit] History
The town took root out of a settlement by Konrad Hillenaar, along the Sixteen Mile Creek, who immigrated from Newcastle, England with his wife Sarah and two sons on May 17, 1818. Hillenaar was granted 100 acres (405,000 m²) of land, from the Crown in 1820, designated Lot 14, Concession 2, Township of Trafalgar, Halton County, in the District of Gore. Martin later built a grist mill along the creek and created a pond, known as Mill Pond, to power his mill. The mill became the centre of settlement for others as they settled in the region. In 1837 the area had a population of approximately 100 people and was named Mill Town. The town, as it is today, soon after became known as Milton, although not because of the homonymic similarity to Mill Town. The Hillenaar family were instead paying tribute to author John Milton. The two principal property owners of the young town were the Martins and the Fosters. The current site of Milton's town hall was donated from Mr. Hugh Foster (and thus, Hugh Foster Hall).[1]
Milton was incorporated into a town in 1857, after being chosen as county seat for Halton. In 1974, the present municipal structure was created when the Regional Municipality of Halton, replaced Halton County.
The new town of Milton added parts of the former township of Esquesing (most of this township comprises Halton Hills), all of Nassagaweya Township including the village of Campbellville, and the northern sections of Trafalgar and Nelson from (a 1962 annexation of the former townships) Oakville and Burlington respectively.
With the addition of the Niagara Escarpment lands, tourism, recreation, and heritage conservation have increased in importance. The Halton Region Museum which has a large number of historic agricultural buildings and the Halton County Radial Railway museum are located in Milton, as is Country Heritage Park (formerly the Ontario Agricultural Museum). Five large parks operated by Conservation Halton reside in the town and Mohawk Raceway is located near Campbellville.
[edit] Demographics
According to the Canada 2001 Census there were 31,005 people living in Milton. (The population of Milton as of 2006 is 58,700). As of 2001 there were 10,933 Housing units. The average population density per square kilometer was 85.9 persons.
Age population was: 26.4% of the population was 19 and below, 63.1% of the population ages 20-64 and 10.5% 65 and older.
The median income for a household in the town was $39,795. The average household income for a family with two earners was $94,384. With one earner in a family, $64,043. Males had an average income of $60,069 versus $40,897 for females.
27.1% of the population had completed high school. 11.4% a Trades certificate or diploma. 22.9% College. 22.9% University. 15.7% of the population had not completed high school.
The linguistic makeup of the town was English as a mother tongue for 89.7% of the population. French as a mother tongue for 1.2% of the population and 0.4% of the population English and French. 8.7% of the populations mother tongue was a language other than French and or English. 90.8% of the population could speak English only, 0.0% of the town could speak French only and 4.8% of the population could speak English and French. 0.3% of the population could not speak English or French.
3.3% of the population consisted of visible minorities.
[edit] Local Events
Every labour day weekend in Milton the annual Milton Steam-Era takes place. Steam-Era is the annual show produced by the "Ontario Steam & Antique Preservers Association" held at the Milton Fairgrounds. Steam engines from the turn of the century silently puff their way around the grounds. Hundreds of tractors and stationary engines along with antique cars, models and agricultural displays recreate life in the rural country a 100 years ago.
The Milton Fall Fair happens every year on the last weekend of September. The Fall Fair has been a tradition in the town for over 60 years. Events include: Agricultural show, midway, livestock, entertainment, the Demolition Derby and other traditional county fair events. The event takes place at the Milton Fairgrounds located in the historic subdivision area of Milton.
A farmer's market operates on Main St. in downtown Milton on Saturdays 8:00am - 12:00pm from May through October. The section of Main St. that hosts the market is closed off to vehicles during the event. Local Farmers proudly display "picked fresh this morning" produce and the streets come alive with artisans and flower vendors.
[edit] Education
Milton's public elementary and secondary schools are part of the Halton District School Board. Milton's Catholic elementary and secondary schools are part of the Halton Catholic District School Board. There are also several private schools in Milton that belong to various independent school organizations.
- Private Schools:
- Milton Christian School (JK-4)
- Hitherfield Preparatory School (JK-8)
- Keswick Sutherland School & Equestrian Center (JK-8)
- Milton Heights Academy (JK-8)
- Halton Waldorf School (JK-8)
- Halton Catholic District School Board:
- Bishop Paul Francis Reding Catholic High School (9-12)
- Guardian Angels Catholic School (J-8)
- Holy Rosary Catholic School (JK-8)
- Our Lady of Victory School (JK-8)
- St. Peter's School (JK-8)
- Halton District School Board:
- Brookville Public School (JK-8)
- Bruce Trail Public School (JK-7)
- Chris Hadfield Public School (JK-8)
- E.C. Drury High School (9-12)
- E.W. Foster Public School (JK-5)
- Hawthorne Village Public School (JK-7)
- J.M. Denyes Public School (JK-5)
- Martin Street Public School (JK-5)
- Milton District High School (9-12)
- Robert Baldwin Public School (JK-5)
- Sam Sherratt Public School (JK-8)
- W.I. Dick Middle School (6-8)
[edit] Recreation
Milton has many conservation parks, campgrounds and recreational areas. The conservation parks in the Milton area are owned by Conservation Halton, a conservation authority.
- Bruce Trail
- Conservation Halton
- Crawford Lake Conservation Area
- Drumquin Park BMX track & Oakville Model Flying Club
- Glen Eden Ski & Snowboard Centre
- John Tonelli Sports Centre
- Kelso Conservation Area
- Milton Mill Pond & Rotary Park
- Milton Heights Campgrounds
- Milton Leisure Centre
- Milton Memorial Arena
- Milton Sports Centre Arena
- Mohawk Raceway
- Mount Nemo Conservation Area
- Mountsberg Conservation Area
- Rattlesnake Point
[edit] Development
The town has very easy access throughout the GTA by Highways 401 and 407 towards Oakville, Burlington and Hamilton on the town, or by the former Ontario Highway 25 (Halton Road 25). There are two key freight railway routes ( both by CN and CP ), passenger services from GO Transit, and VIA Rail passenger connections in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor in both neighbouring Oakville and Georgetown. There is close proximity to Toronto Pearson International Airport along Highway 401 (under 40 km from 401/Halton 25 exit).
Milton Transit was reorganized in 2004, to provide public transportation service throughout the urban centre, as well as a feeder route for GO Transit trains and buses. Milton is currently renting buses from Oakville Transit.
While most of the development is suburban in nature, larger lots are being developed closer to the Escarpment. The major industries in Milton are automotive, advanced maufacturing, distribution and food production.
Residential growth has increased substantially over the past several years due to completion of "The Big Pipe" project; designed to deliver water to the town from Lake Ontario. Since this time, Milton has developed 4 new subdivisions and several new ones are under development by Mattamy Homes and various other builders. Two new grade schools have been built as well as the Crossroads Centre shopping plaza that includes a Wal Mart, a Canadian Tire, a Montana's Cookhouse restaurant and several other smaller scale stores. An eight screen movie theatre is operated by Cineplex Entertainment under their Galaxy Cinemas brand and opened on June 30, 2006. The population in Milton countinues to rise. It has been forcasted that by 2021, the population of Milton will have risen to 106,000.
[edit] Notable figures
Since the town's inauguration there have been many famous residents. The list includes:
- Chris Hadfield, NASA Astronaut;
- Chris Charles, Renowned Molecular Biologist;
- David James Elliott of TV's JAG,
- Bruce Hood, Hockey Hall of Fame member, and retired NHL referee, travel agent, and aspiring politician,
- P.L. Robertson, inventor of the Robertson screwdriver,
- James W. Snow, politician.
- John Tonelli, retired NHL hockey player
- Tom Hnatiw, Television personality on Dream Car Garage
- Bardey Wakler, retired op painter,
- Darren Haydar, NHL player for the Atlanta Thrashers
[edit] Representation
Town Council 2006-2010
- Mayor: Gordon Krantz
- Local Councilor Ward 1: Richard Day
- Local Councilor Ward 1: Brian Penman
- Local Councilor Ward 2: Mike Boughton
- Local Councilor Ward 2: Mark Curtis
- Local Councilor Ward 3: Cindy Lunau
- Local Councilor Ward 3: Jan Mowbray
- Local Councilor Ward 4: Wendy Schau
- Local Councilor Ward 4: Paul Scherer
Halton Regional Council
- Local and Regional Councilor Wards 1 and 3: Barry Lee
- Local and Regional Councilor Wards 2 and 4: Colin Best
Milton is listed under the Halton Riding
- Member of Parliament Garth Turner (Independent)
Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
- Member of Provincial Parliament Ted Chudleigh (PC)
[edit] External links
- Town of Milton
- Milton Chamber of Commerce
- Milton Farmers Market
- Milton Champion Newspaper
- Escarpment Country Tourism
- Official site of the Milton Fall Fair
- Official site of the Steam Era event
- 820 Chris Hadfield Air Cadet Squadron
| North: Guelph-Eramosa | ||
| West: Puslinch, Campbellville | Milton | East: Halton Hills, Mississauga, Toronto |
| South: Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville |
