Heritiage and Archaeology

Proposed Pickering Lands Heritage and Archaeology

The Proposed Pickering Airport Lands have considerable historical value.

The following link will take you to the Draper Site pages detailing the find of a 1500AD Huron Village

The First Nations have a long standing legacy on the Rouge. Find out more here...

Wapiti Circle Information Pages

Also, some extensive research has been done on more recent history, as outline in the following articles.

"A little Rebel help would be welcome about now" Article, Feb 26, 2005
By any definition, the Tullis cottage in Brougham can easily be defined as a 'heritage' property. Not only in Pickering or Durham Region, but all of Ontario and Canada. Yet its owners have put the paperwork in motion to evict the home's tenants before July and have stated they will demolish it next. So much for the historic significance of the property as the federal Public Works department and Transport Canada see it, as their actions are proving this month. This despite the City, with provincial backing, designating the home as a heritage property in Pickering.

"Loss of history would be a shame" Article, Feb 26, 2005
The landscape of north Pickering is on a collision course with change. The area north of Hwy. 7 that was expropriated in the 1970s to build an airport stands as a window to another time. As of now it has remained free of the cookie-cutter subdivisions and big box stores that blanket the rest of Durham and the GTA. Many know the days are numbered for this pristine landscape if the airport proposed by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority is approved, but residents, concerned groups and politicians began mobilizing recently to prevent a more imminent change.

"Historic home faces demolition" Article, Feb 22, 2005
"One of Pickering's most historically important buildings is facing demolition - again. Public Works issued a dozen notices last week to tenants living in homes on the federal lands in north Pickering to vacate, including Laurie and Gary Barclay who live in the Tullis cottage. (Public Works manages the properties for Transport Canada, which owns the land). The home on Seventh Concession Road, just west of Brock Road, was designated as a heritage property in December by Pickering council. The Barclays received their latest eviction notice Feb. 16 and are to be out by June 30. They had previously received and fought one in 2001."

"Slow down and let Pickering save its history" Article, Feb 17, 2005
They're just derelict buildings to the federal government, but to many people in Pickering the 25 buildings slated for demolition on the federal lands are more than that. They hold history inside and outside their aging wood and crumbling brick walls. But still, once again, Public Works and Government Services Canada, the department entrusted with managing the federal lands in Pickering for Transport Canada, is moving quickly toward what they deem a necessary demolition.The job is out to tender and potential contractors for the project received a look at the scope of the work with a tour of the site this week. However, they found more than vacant houses when they arrived.

"Heritage homes shouldn't be demolished" Article, Feb 15, 2005
"You hit every nail squarely on the head and managed to bring in many facets of the struggle to save our heritage. From the volunteer commitment of groups like the Pickering Museum Village Foundation and the restoration of the Brougham Central Hotel, to the essential support of Pickering council and the non-support of the federal government, to the efforts of activist groups like the newly formed Land Over Landings, which is fighting to keep these lands, buildings and communities occupied with farmers, tenants and families. What a fitting kick-off to National Heritage Week."

"Federal land holds a multitude of history" Article, Jan 4, 2005
"For months of the year fields of corn and canola dot the land that is divided by dirt and gravel roads. The open land is home to the occasional barn, many Ontario classics and several tiny school houses. It sounds like a step back in time, but this scene can be found just a short drive from the busy city north of Hwy. 7 in Pickering.