In connecting to our upcoming municipal election, we are going to look at street names, park names, and other commemorations that honour past elected representatives who served historic Mississauga.

Cotton Drive in Port Credit is named for Robert Cotton (1809-1885), Robert was born in Ireland, and together with his brother James, are often looked at as one of the founders of Port Credit. Robert’s remarkable home, built in the 1850s (possibly earlier), survives today as a private home on Old River Road.

Robert came to Canada in 1832, first establishing himself in Cooksville, before relocating to Port Credit in the early 1840s. Robert served as Justice-of-the-Peace from 1850-1852, and then served on Toronto Township Council. He served as Deputy Reeve from 1867 until 1871, Reeve from 1872-1879, and was also elected as a Warden of Peel County in 1873 and 1874.

Robert died in 1885 at his home in Port Credit, and is buried at St. Peter’s Anglican Cemetery in Erindale.