Milton, Ontario

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coordinates: 43°30′N, 79°55′W

Town of Milton
Milton from escarpment
Milton from escarpment
Official logo of Town of Milton
Logo
Nickname: Mill Town
Coordinates: 43°30′N 79°55′W / 43.5, -79.917
Country Flag of Canada Canada
Province Ontario
Region Halton
Established 1818
Government
 - Town Mayor Gord Krantz [1]
 - MPs Garth Turner
 - MPPs Ted Chudleigh
Population (2006)
 - Total 53,939
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
Area code(s) L9T
Website: Town of Milton

Milton (2006 census population 53,939) is a town in southern Ontario, Canada, part of the Greater Toronto Area, located 40 km (24 miles) west of Toronto on Highway 401, and is the western terminus for the Milton line commuter train and bus corridor operated by GO Transit. Milton is the seat of Halton Region, and is on the edge of Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO world biosphere reserve and the Bruce Trail.

Milton received a tremendous amount of publicity following the release of the results of the 2006 Census, which indicated that Milton was the fastest growing community in Canada, with a 71.4% increase in population between 2001 and 2006. In 2007, the population has been estimated nearing 75,000, although this the town signs do not reflect this.

Contents

[edit] History

The town took root out of a settlement by Jasper Martin along the Sixteen Mile Creek; Martin immigrated from Newcastle, England with his wife Sarah and two sons on May 17, 1818. Martin 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 center 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. 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]

The historic Milton town hall in Victoria Park.
The historic Milton town hall in Victoria Park.

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.

Main St. Downtown Milton
Main St. Downtown Milton
Apartment Buildings in Milton across from Milton's Mill Pond
Apartment Buildings in Milton across from Milton's Mill Pond

[edit] Demographics

According to the Canada 2001 Census there were 31,005 people living in Milton. (The population of Milton as of 2006 is 53,939). 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] 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.

Rural Milton as seen from the summit of Rattlesnake Point, one of Milton's many conservation parks.
Rural Milton as seen from the summit of Rattlesnake Point, one of Milton's many conservation parks.

[edit] 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)

[edit] Halton Catholic District School Board

[edit] Halton District School Board

  • Brookville Public School (JK-8)
  • Bruce Trail Public School (JK-8)
  • Chris Hadfield Public School (JK-8)
  • E.C. Drury High School (9-12)
  • E.C. Drury School for the Deaf (JK-12)
  • E.W. Foster Public School (JK-5)
  • Hawthorne Village Public School (JK-8)
  • 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] Public Library System

Milton is served by a recently renovated main branch located in the downtown core. A site has been secured for the library's first branch with architect selection and construction and occupancy in 2008.

Milton Public Library provides the community with materials, programs and services to support and encourage informal learning. Special emphasis is placed on providing a collection of popular materials and meeting the information needs of the public by providing a link to other resources.

[edit] Library Roles

  • Independent Learning Centre
  • Popular Materials Library
  • Preschoolers' Door to Learning
  • Broker / Link to other Resources

In 2005, the Milton Public Library celebrated its sesquicentennial year.

[edit] Government

Town Council 1980-Present

  • 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: Greg Nelson (as of June 14, 2007)
  • 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

Canadian House of Commons:

Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

[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.

View from the Niagara Escarpment near Rattlesnake Point
View from the Niagara Escarpment near Rattlesnake Point

[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] 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 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 manufacturing, 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, including Hawthorne Village, 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 various major retail stores and restaurants. 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 continues to rise. It has been forecast that by 2021, the population of Milton will have risen to 106,000.

Growth and development have been a divisive issue for the city, sparking resentment of original town residents, and newer residents. In regards to Milton's growth and decline of it's downtown core, Mayor Gordon Krantz said "... You can't survive on sentiment and emotions, that's for sure. It might sound hard-hearted, but that's the hard reality of it."[2]

[edit] Notable Figures

Since the town's inauguration there have been many famous residents. The list includes:

[edit] References

  1. ^ Town of Milton
  2. ^ TheStar.com | News | Milton's boom a bust for some

[edit] External links

Guelph-Eramosa
v • d • e
 
Campbellville, Guelph, Kitchener, Cambridge North Halton Hills, Mississauga, Toronto
West   Milton    East
South
Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville
v • d • e
Municipalities of Halton Region, Ontario
v • d • e
Greater Toronto Area
Largest City: Toronto
Regions Toronto
Cities
Towns and villages
v • d • e
Subdivisions of Ontario
Regions
Counties
Districts
Regional municipalities
Durham · Halton · Muskoka · Niagara · Oxford · Peel · Waterloo · York
Single-tier municipalities
Separated municipalities
See also