Brampton Tourism Guide
Brampton is the third-largest city in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) in the region of Peel (Ontario). The population is around 450,000 as of the 2006 census making it the 11th largest city in Canada. There are many new housing developments in the area given the available land around the city, making it one of Canada's fastest growing municipalities.
Brampton got it's name from the rural town of Brampton in England. Brampton is known as "Flower Town" due to the city's large greenhouse industry. Currently, the city's major economic sectors include advanced manufacturing, retail administration and logistics, information and communication technologies, food and beverage, life sciences and business services.
Some of the major employers located in Brampton are Loblaw Companies, Bacardi, Brita, IKO Industries, Best Buy (and Future Shop), Brafasco, The Clorox Company, Ford, Rogers Communications, Nortel, Para Paints, Coca Cola Bottling Co., Nestlé, Chrysler Canada Ltd., Maple Lodge Farms, Sofina Foods Inc, Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), Frito Lay Canada, MD Robotics, Parkinson Coach Line and Canadian Tire.
1780’s | Settlers arriving from Europe to a largely untouched wilderness. | 1900's | Many Greenhouses built to grow orchids, hybrid roses and other quality flowers | |
1820 |
Intersection of Queen and Main Streets (“four corners") was the heart of the city. John Elliott and William Lawson (both from Brampton, Cumberland, England) settled, established a strong Methodist presence and named the settlement Brampton |
1910 | population of 4000 | |
1846 | Population of 150 with two stores, a tavern, tannery, cabinetmaker, two blacksmiths and two tailors | 1948 | devastating flood of Etobicoke Creek | |
1853 | Brampton officially incorporated as a village | 1950 | Bramalea created and touted as "Canada's first satellite city” of Toronto | |
1856 | The Grand Trunk Railway constructed a rail line and a station | 1952 | opened concrete diversion channel to straighten and reroute the Etobicoke Creek | |
1867 | Brampton selected as the Peel County seat. The County Courthouse, Jail and other public buildings were constructed | 1974 | Region of Peel created and Brampton became a city | |
1873 | Brampton incorporated as a town and John Haggert was elected the first Mayor | 1980's | Large-scale industries arriving and large subdivisions developing | |
1860 | Edward Dale established a flower nursery and thereby became known as the “Flowertown of Canada” | Today | population over 450,000 and among the largest urban centres in Canada |
Bramalea
Developed by Bramalea Limited and located in the former Chinguacousy Township. The community had an extensive master plan, including a "downtown" of Bramalea City Centre, Civic Centre and library. Each phase was named with progressing alphabetical letters for the street names in each section (e.g."A" section has street names such as Argyle, Avondale, and Aloma). The "M" section is highly sought after by buyers due to the homes and quite streets.
Fletchers Meadow
One of the newer developments located in the North West of Brampton started around 2000. The Mount Pleasant GO Station is one of the attractions to the area since it joins to Toronto though the daily GO train service. A new community built by Mattamy is under development offering families everything they need for an enjoyable lifestyle all within a 5-minute walk of their home such as storefront homes with village community planning atmosphere.
Castlemore
Development since the early 1990s with many luxury homes over $700,000.
Peel Village
Many older homes and sought after by many buyers due to the peaceful community.
Heartlake
Sandringham / Springdale
The Brampton Civic Hospital (William Osler Health System) was recently built in 2007 h over 600 beds and is located in this community.
Huttonville
A small community in South-West region of Brampton
Brampton host a wide variety of cultures, with English spoken as the mother tongue at 45%. The other languages spoken as mother tongue include 27% Punjabi, 2.8% each for Gujarati and Urdu, 2.1% each for Spanish and Italian, 1.7% Tagalog, 1.6% each for Portuguese & Hindi, 1.4% Tamil, and 1.2% each for Chinese & Polish.
AttractionsGage Park Major Shopping CentresBramalea City Centre Shoppers World Trinity Common Mall Downtown area Centennial Mall Brampton Mall The Apple Factory Orion Gate Power Centre Brampton Corners Entertainment & CultureArtway Gallery |
Annual EventsFEBURARY Downtown Brampton Film Festival MARCH Taste of Downtown Brampton MAY Rotary Rib 'n' Roll JUNE Investors Group Thursday Night Concert Series - Downtown Brampton's Gage Park Free concert 7-9pm Inspirational Music in the Park Flower City Parade Downtown Farmers Market (Jun-Oct.) GardenTour JULY Carabram- multicultural festival of events, food, music and more. Carnival Day AUGUST Hot Like Pepper Caribbean Festival Savannah Festival of Rhythms Family Fun Beach Party Day - Professor’s Lake Beach Party Olympic Day West Fete: Mas in Brampton - Heart Lake Conservation Area showcasing the West Indian culture, including rhythmic music, SEPTEMBER Brampton Fall Fair - Brampton Fair Grounds demolition derby, rides, games, animal shows, exhibits and more. Brampton Day - Gage Park OCTOBER Studios of Brampton Tour - self-guided tour through studios in Brampton Desserts by Lamplight - Historic Bovaird House, seasonal desserts and gourmet teas NOVEMBER The Great Pumpkin Party - Garden Square at Rose Theatre Brampton Santa Claus Parade Annual Christmas Tree Lighting - Ken Whillans Square, City Hall |
BUSES
Local transit is provided by Brampton Transit connecting to Mississauga Transit, York Region Transit, Go Transit, and Toronto Transit Commission
"Züm" (pronounced Zoom), a new Bus Rapid Transit system along Main/Hurontario and Queen Streets, which would form the backbone to its bus network. Züm received funding from the provincial government in 2006 to begin implementation of this system. The fare is $3.00 for single adult transfer which is valid for 2 hours.
The GO Transit system has buses and Train service with 3 major train stations along the Georgetown-Union Station (Toronto) Go train line: Bramalea, Brampton and Mount Pleasant.
RAIL
Both Canadian National Railways and the Orangeville-Brampton Railway run through the city.
AIRPORT
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), is located near Brampton in Mississauga. Brampton Airport is located north of the city in Caledon region.
ROADS
East/West: Highway 401 through Toronto & Mississauga. Highway 407 (Toll road) runs along the boundary of the city in the South. Steeles Avenue, just north of the 407. Highway 7 (incorporating the West half of Bovaird Dr & East part Queen St)
North/South: Highway 410, through the middle of the city joining to Highway 403 in Mississauga.