Early Pioneers of Vaughan

From the traditional territories of the First Peoples of Turtle Island to a farmland community, to a bustling city centre and everything in between – Vaughan's transformation is a story worth telling. Beginning in the 1790s, and more steadily after the War of 1812, the area we now recognize as Vaughan saw an influx of immigration and settlement, occupying lands that were previously home to Misssisaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous Peoples. By 1840, all farmable land in Vaughan was occupied, attracting other businesses including millers, blacksmiths, merchants, and carpenters.
This exhibit highlights select pioneers from the area and comments on notable firsts. Many settlers came to Vaughan from England, Scotland, and the United States, bringing their unique cultures along with them and impacting the area’s development. However, many of the remaining resources that document this time are from a male Anglo-Saxon perspective and do not adequately reflect the experiences of all settlers.

Exhibit and photographs courtesy of the Enterprise Information Management Services Unit, Office of the City Clerk, City of Vaughan.