About Oakville

Oakville is a quaint community nestled among Lake Ontario, as part of the Greater Toronto Area.  It’s population is approximately 165,613 (2006), in the Halton Region. Oakville is considered one of the more affluent towns in Canada.

History of Oakville

In 1805, the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada purchased lands between Etobicoke and Hamilton from the Mississaugas, an aboriginal tribe in the area.  However, they did not buy the land at the mouths of Twelve Mile Creek, which is now known as Bronte Creek, Sixteen Mile Creek, and along Credit River.  It wasn’t until 1807 that British immigrants began settling in the surrounding Dundas Street areas and along Lake Ontario, which would later be considered the town of Oakville.

The Crown eventually purchased the area around the waterways in 1820.  These 960 acres was later auctioned off to William Chisholm in 1827, who allowed his son Robert Kerr Chisholm & brother in law, Thomas Merrick to tend to the development of the land.

Oakville was first industrialized for shipbuilding, wheat farming, and timber shipment.  During the economic recession in the 1850s, the foundry, which was considered the most important industry in Oakville, closed.  Basket-making became a crucial industry in Oakville.

Later, Oakville eventually began opening Cities Service Canada (now known as Petro Canada) and Shell Canada oil refineries, and the Ford Motor Company’s Canadian head quarters and plant.  These were all located close to the Canadian National Railway and the QEW between Toronto and Buffalo.

It wasn’t until 1962 that Oakville merged with Bronte, Palermo, Sheridan, and Trafalgar Township, which were previously small neighbouring villages. This amalgamation became the new town of Oakville, which extended northwards to Steeles Avenue in Milton.  1973 saw the Halton County be restructured to Halton Region, which moved the Oakville border southwards to just north of Highway 407.

Oakville Today

Oakville is considered one of Canada’s more affluent communities, but is also rich in culture with a small-town feel.  Planners who developed the town of Oakville have kept original neighbourhoods intact, which are now various communities of the larger town.

Oakville is well known for its waterfront festivities, which take advantage of the beautiful waterfront area along Lake Ontario.

Oakville has one of the highest private schools to student population ratios in the country, and also is the location of Sheridan College, best known for animation, illustration music & theatre programs.

Looking to find out more about the town of Oakville?

Oakville Transportation
Oakville Festivals & Events
Oakville Recreation & Culture
Oakville Real Estate Information

Neighbourhoods in Oakville

There are many great and diverse areas within the town of Oakville that everyone should take the time to explore and find out more about.  Click each neighbourhood link to find out more about each neighbourhood in Oakville: