Modern Mississauga and Heritage Mississauga have come together to present an ongoing series called “Way Back Wednesday’s."

We’ll share information about the history of Mississauga here and answer your questions.

Today’s topic is the history of Hyde Mill Crescent.

Hyde Mill Crescent, north of Streetsville, is a modern subdivision roadway that leans on history for the inspiration of its name. John Church Hyde (1811-1876) was the eldest son of Herman and Mary (nee Church) Hyde. Together with his brothers Nathan and Alvin, and mother Mary, the family owned a hotel on Ontario Street in Streetsville, called the Reciprocity Hotel.

The hotel was three storeys tall, and had sixty bedrooms, a ballroom on the second floor, held 500 guests, a stable that accommodated 50 horses, and a veranda. Concerts, balls and public meetings were held in what came to be locally known as Hyde’s Hall

In 1831 John also began purchasing land along the Credit River in the north end of Streetsville with aspirations of developing a significant milling complex. Over this time John built a commercial empire consisting of a flour mill, saw mill, stave factory and cooperage. His mill complex was named Ontario Mills. In connection with his enterprise, has also option a large general store, called Ontario Warehouse. Adjacent to the store was a dwelling, described as one of the finest in the village.

At the end of the Crimean War in March 1856, John like many other millers, was nearly ruined by the plunging wheat market, however his diversified interests where able to keep his head above water for some time, and in 1859 he was still described as a merchant miller, proprietor of Ontario Mills. In 1861 John sold his mill to Gooderham and Worts who converted it to a flax mill. The mill complex was lost to fire in 1867.

John Church Hyde served as the Reeve of Toronto Township from 1857 to 1859, and again in 1861. During his time as Reeve, it is said that council meetings were held in the Reciprocity Hotel.

John and wife relocated to Petrolia, Ontario in the 1860s, where John explored business interests in oil. John Church Hyde died in 1876. On December 8, 1876 the Brampton Conservator told of the final chapter in the life of John Church Hyde who had once been called the moving spirit of Streetsville. The article described him as an upright man, a true friend of the friendless, and one whose hand was always open to render assistance to the needy.