The city has recently proposed a plan to modernize and develop the current run-down area of Cooksville into luxury residential areas, consisting of high-rise condos, offices, and other urban hot spots. While this plan is good and promising, there is a serious lack of historic preservation in this endeavor, and if the development continues without that in mind, then the history of Cooksville will truly be buried forever. I propose that along with the development of a modern urban center, the plan should also include a revival of Cooksville’s historic past.
Cooksville has a richer history than any of the other villages within Mississauga. The city was formerly named Toronto Township, and predates many of Canada’s great cities, such as Toronto itself. Toronto Township was built by some of the earliest settlers, and Cooksville was amongst one of those founding communities and is now considered one of the oldest villages in Peel. Up until the late half of the 1900s, Cooksville was the economic and political hub of the city, as it thrived as the heart of Mississauga. In fact, the original town hall was located in Cooksville, along with other prominent banks. However, by the late 1900s, city center was moved and through the lack of preservation, the historic town hall was demolished and now sits as a vacant lot of a bankrupt condo company. If the disappearance of old town hall was not tragic enough, across it was a memorial park dedicated to William Pierce Howland, a father of Confederation and a resident of Cooksville. Similar to old town hall, the park was also taken down and is now an empty field of weeds and trash that have accumulated over decades. In the past 50 years, there have been an unfortunate loss of history in a pivotal part of Mississauga, but the new development plan provides a new opportunity for its revival.
I propose to turn Cooksville into a historic site that is similar to Streetsville and Port Credit, and by doing so, the area will see an increase of tourism. Because, let’s be honest, there is an undeniable allure in vintage towns/villages. I believe this revival of historic Cooksville can be done through two ways. The first will be to restore William Pierce Howland Park to its former glory (or even expand it!). The creation of a recreational space will inevitably attract families and residents to the area, as it provides a space for community events and festivities. The second task should be the restoration of the Howland family’s shop, located adjacent to the memorial park (now a Latino Pharmacy). I propose to not only restore the building, but also convert it into a museum that will house the documents and artifacts of historic Cooksville, and also commemorate Howland and his contributions towards the creation of Canada as a country.
I believe that these proposals to revive the historic side of Cooksville will not hinder the modern developments planned by the city. In fact, I believe that the synthesis between modern and old will add new flavors to Cooksville and bring back life to a community that have been overlooked for decades.