Brampton - History

History

Main article: History of Brampton See also: List of mayors of Brampton, Brampton Fall Fair, and Brampton Library

Prior to the 1800s, the only building of consequence at the corner of Main and Queen streets, the recognized centre of Brampton, was William Buffy's tavern. At the time, the area was referred to as "Buffy's Corners". All real business in Chinguacousy Township took place 1 mile distant at Martin Salisbury's tavern. By 1834, John Elliott laid out the area in lots for sale, and applied the name "Brampton" to the area, which was soon adopted by others.

In 1853, a small agricultural fair was set up by the newly intiated County Agricultural Society of the County of Peel, and was held at the corner of Main and Queen streets. Grains, produce, roots, and dairy products were up for sale. Horses and cattle, along with other lesser livestock, were also sold at market. This agricultural fair eventually became the modern Brampton Fall Fair. In that same year Brampton was incorporated as a village.

A federal grant allowed the village to create its first public library in 1887, which included 360 volumes from the Mechanic's Institute (est 1858). In 1907, the library successfully received a grant from United States steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to build a new multi-purpose building, featuring what is now the Brampton Library.

A group of regional farmers in Brampton had trouble getting insurance from city-based companies. After several meetings in Clairville Hall, they decided to found the County of Peel Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In 1955, the company moved to its third and current location, 103 Queen Street West, and took the new name of Peel Mutual Insurance Company. It reigns as the longest-running company in modern Brampton. Harmsworth Decorating Centre was established in 1890, as Harmsworth and Son, operated out of the family's house on Queen Street West. The current location was purchased on September 1, 1904, after a fire destroyed their original store. Purchased for $1,400, the 24 Main Street South location is the longest-operating retail business in what is now Brampton.

Edward Dale, an immigrant from Dorking, England, established a flower nursery in Brampton shortly after his arrival in 1863. Dale's Nursery became the town's largest and most prominent employer, developed a flower grading system, and established a global export market for its products. The company chimney became a town landmark, until Brampton Town Council allowed it to be torn down in 1977. At its height, the company had 140 greenhouses, and was the largest cut flower business in North America, producing 20 million blooms and introducing numerous rose and orchid varietals and species to the market. It also spurred the development of other nurseries in the town, as the town was once home to 48 hothouse flower nurseries.

In 1963, the town established The Flower Festival of Brampton, based on the Rose Festival of Portland, Oregon, and began marketing itself as the Flower Town of Canada. On 24 June 2002 City Council established the "Flower City Strategy", to promote a link to its flower-growing heritage. The construction of the Rose Theatre as a cultural institution in the city and annual participation in the Communities in Bloom competition are part of that strategy.