From the archives: The evolution of Vaughan

Jan. 30, 2023 1:00 p.m.
​Learn more about the city’s history from the Vaughan Archives

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. The City’s popular monthly series continues, with historical content from the Vaughan Archives being shared.

Scroll through memory lane, learn about the city's past and explore the places, people and events that were pivotal to the development of the Vaughan we know today. This month, the City is highlighting the evolution of Vaughan.

The city of Vaughan is situated on the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, acquired by the British government through Treaty 13, as well as the ancestral territory of the Huron-Wendat and the Haudenosaunee. As the indigenous inhabitants of this land, the Mississaugas of the Credit were the stewards of nearly four million acres of land, water and resources across southern Ontario.

Vaughan also traces its roots back to the historic communities of Concord, Kleinburg, Maple, Thornhill and Woodbridge, as well as other smaller villages.

In 1850, the area was first incorporated as a township with a population of more than 6,000 residents and the municipal system came into operation with the election of a Reeve and five Councillors. Prior to the 1849 Robert Baldwin Act, communities in Upper Canada had no corporate existence and were overseen by the Crown.

In 1971, the Township of Vaughan and the Village of Woodbridge merged and became the Town of Vaughan. The Police Village of Thornhill was divided between the Township of Vaughan and the Township of Markham. During this time, the Regional Municipality of York was also established replacing York County.

On Jan. 1, 1991, Vaughan was the first municipality in York Region to become a city. This event marked a significant change to Vaughan’s presence on a global scale, with international partnerships and City Twinnings that started in 1992. The 1990s also saw Vaughan continue to grow and develop as over 60,000 new residents came to call it home.

In 2016, Vaughan observed its 25th anniversary as a city, with celebrations taking place throughout the year. It also marked the creation of the Order of Vaughan – the City’s highest honour to recognize individuals who have made significant and enduring contributions to the community.

Today, Vaughan continues to be a growing and prosperous city with a population of 341,600. Major city-building projects like an emerging downtown – the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, Canada’s first smart hospital – the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, and the 900-acre North Maple Regional Park continue to generate great momentum and excitement. 

As well, Vaughan is a vibrant and prosperous community and one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. Its globally-competitive economy includes more than 19,000 businesses, employing approximately 236,000 individuals.

ABOUT VAUGHAN ARCHIVES
Established in 1988, the City of Vaughan Archives is home to more than 600 collections, consisting of both City records and cultural records about Vaughan from 1860 to the present day. Records include, but are not limited to:

  • City business records with long-term legal and administrative value, such as Council meeting minutes, by-laws, assessment rolls, financial records, reports and official correspondence
  • church, community and school records
  • census records
  • historical photographs
  • land records
  • historical maps, plans and aerial photographs
  • newspapers
  • personal papers of past residents and founding families, such as diaries, family histories, journals and letters
  • records of local organizations both past and present

VIEW VAUGHAN'S ARCHIVES ONLINE!
The City's Archival Collection is on digital display for all to explore! The below galleries are now available in the City's online gallery on Flickr:

  • Early Communities of Vaughan
  • From Township to City: The Evolution of Vaughan
  • Featured Artists of Vaughan
  • Historical Families of Vaughan
  • Historical Figures: Lord Beaverbrook
  • Historical Photography
  • Recollections of Rural Vaughan
  • The Mary Wood Collection
  • The Way We Were: Representations of Vaughan's Past
  • Vaughan Working Environments
  • Vaughan Through the Ages: Medicine
  • Vaughan Through the Ages: Music
  • Vaughan Through the Ages: Sports and Recreation
  • Stories of Remembrance
  • Vaughan's Forgotten Heroes
  • Early Churches of Vaughan
  • Historical Schools of Vaughan

A personal Flickr account is not required to access the City's online gallery, which contains only a small selection of the full archives collection. If you are looking for a particular image, original file, primary source record or more, please visit the Archival Database, or contact the Vaughan Archives by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing archives@vaughan.ca.

By managing and preserving both City and community records, the Enterprise Information Management Services team ensures that Vaughan's rich and varied history will continue to be available for future generations. Learn more at vaughan.ca/archives.
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