Mississauga is a City Coated in Memories

A lively city that blossoms with diversity and empowerment proudly stands before us. A life where citizens are free to unleash their unique selves and inner voices, is seen in the welcoming land of Mississauga. Mississauga first came to be on January 1st, 1974, and citizens held the “Birth of a City Celebrations” a few months later on September 7th. On this exciting day, heartwarming musical and dance performances, active sports events, a vibrant parade, and other prideful activities echoed through the heart of the city. As the sun set and this victorious day steadily came to an end, fireworks sparked in the evening sky, and unforgettable memories were seared into the hearts of countless Mississaugans. As we now celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mississauga, we may wonder what life was truly like for Mississaugans 50 years ago. Turning the clock back to 1974, let's embark on a meaningful journey of passion, success, and self-expression.

Mississauga Song by Tommy Hunter - Cover Image - Museums of Mississauga

1974 was a time when Mississauga's well-known musicians thrived in the music industry. Canadian country singer-songwriter and guitarist, Tommy Hunter, or better known as “Canada’s Country Gentleman,” spread his love for country music through his joyful songs. When listening to his songs, a simple strum of a guitar and a tuneful melody would spill out from speakers, and his familiar, comforting voice would soothe his fans. Throughout his career, Hunter's goal was to build a deep-rooted connection with his fans. He wanted to encourage them to let go of the overwhelming responsibilities and expectations in their lives and find a moment of tranquillity in his music. Similarly, his 1974 “Mississauga” song highlighted this idea of embracing peace in life. A piece of Hunter’s meaningful song states:

Come on out to Mississauga
It’s the greatest place around
Where on a quiet evening
You can watch the sun go down
And if you should need a friend
There are plenty to be found
That’s why everybody loves
That good old Mississauga town

As he passionately sang these lyrics, Hunter showed us how the welcoming city of Mississauga is the perfect spot to settle down with families and build everlasting bonds with kind-hearted Mississaugans. He taught the world that, in Mississauga, citizens aren’t simply neighbours who live alongside each other. Instead, he shows us that citizens are a family of friendly individuals who come from different cultures and backgrounds yet have learned to grow and thrive together. A family that has slowly been learning to build a lifetime of memories with one another.

To celebrate the new glorious city of Mississauga on September 7, 1974, records of Hunter’s prideful song were sold at Port Credit Memorial Arena and listeners were able to feel a sense of gratitude for this city that they call home.

Empowering Black female R&B singer-songwriter, Shawne Jackson, is also one of Canada’s most memorable musicians. Known for her live performances in Toronto’s local clubs, Jackson's music simply made her audience feel alive. It made her audience feel confident with freely dancing to every soulful rhythm and passionately chanting lyrics that they could wholeheartedly resonate with. Jackson’s music was also all about staying attached to your community. Her concerts were a diverse space that united individuals who carried their own unique qualities and identities yet shared one common interest—their love for soul music. Working hard in her career, Jackson's hit single, “Just As Bad As You,” was listed as the sixth song in Canada’s top ten songs of 1974. Performing for Mississauga's 50th anniversary at the Port Credit harbour facility’s event “Harbourfest” in 1974, Jackson was able to continue to express her love for soul music and allow her fans to find this feeling of presence and freedom in her tunes.

One of Canada’s successful 1974 musicians, Paul Anka, has become an unforgettable artist worldwide and is greatly recognized for his intimate love songs. Anka's impactful songs pierced through the hearts of his fans and painted a picture of the importance of love. His meaningful lyrics taught his audience that love is a personal and intimate emotion that should be proudly embraced as if it were a trophy of honour. Like the consistency of his slow, peaceful melodies, love should also be constantly nurtured with an abundant supply of care and respect. Overall, through his music, Anka teaches his fans that love should be balanced with an equal level of trust and companionship. Many of his hit songs, such as “You’re Having My Baby” and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” grew in popularity not only in Canada but across countless nations. Accomplishing his career goals and forging a path filled with success led Anka to be gifted a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and a Juno Award for “Best Male Vocalist.”

Back in 1974, fashion trends mainly catered to independent young women. Fashion was about taking risks through mixing patterns and splashes of colours. It was about discovering your unique self through your choice of style. It was about not being afraid to stand out.

During the fall of 1974, skirts were a very fashionable item of clothing amongst young college girls. When getting dressed for a typical day in school, many girls would pair their pleated skirts with a tucked-in collared top and accessorize their outfits with a colourful necktie. Flared skirts that were mini or mid-length were often plaid and paired with vibrant pullover sweaters, cotton turtlenecks, and shiny knee-high boots. One of the college looks for many young girls was matching brown camel, burgundy, emerald, or navy blue flared corduroy skirts with thick knitted sweater vests. Confidently embracing the new outfits of 1974, these women sought to find reliable stores that sold a bundle of trendy skirts. Sears and Fabricland were the main go-to spots to fulfill this. Known for its “rayon” skirt—a flattering emerald and yellow floral print skirt—Sears had become a famous store that was adored by many young women.

Like the cycle of life, the trends of 1974 slowly continued to adapt. At the time, jumpsuits grew in popularity for both men and women and were sold in light blue, white, yellow, red, and many other colours that highlighted this exciting image of summer. Jumpsuits were a very easy item to throw on and their thin, lightweight material made them perfect to stay cool on a steaming sunny day. Jumpsuits included a variety of styles (such as being flared at both the bottoms and sleeves) that made them very versatile when choosing to dress up or down. Similarly, flared jeans also became an iconic item of clothing that were worn in various styles and textures and found in places such as Sheridan Mall, Square One, and Dixie Plaza. Wearing flared jeans was about embracing this idea of freedom by not conforming to the commonly worn straight-legged jeans. It was about following the beating pulse of your heart and confidently trying new pieces of clothing to craft your own personal "look." Shopping at places such as Lawrence Emporium and Lorne Park Shopping Centre also helped individuals upgrade their closets and be able to pair their turtlenecks, sweaters, or halter tops with a new stylish pair of flared jeans.

As the seasons began to change, the styles of certain coats were altered in the process. When freezing temperatures were approaching, piles of snow were forming, and glossy icicles were hanging under rooftops, thicker yet stylish coats were a necessity for Mississaugans. This started the rise of fame for women's knee-length, thick coats that were painted in colours of wine, emerald, rust, orange, and brown. Women were not only staying warm in the frigid weather, but they were also ensuring that they captured this chic image by pairing their coats with matching dresses, dressy tops, and long skirts. Over time, the chilling weather faded away and sunny skies began emerging. As the flowers began to bloom and the scent of freshly cut grass and delicious dessert spots filled the atmosphere, women were searching for trendy lightweight jackets in famous stores such as Poise ‘N Ivy and Sayvette. During 1974, lightweight trench coats, banded bomber jackets, and denim jackets became very fashionable. These different types of jackets attracted many women who wanted to enjoy the breezy, sunny weather in style.

Diving deep into the past reminds us that every decision we make and every step we choose to take crafts an endless path of memories. Although we live in a city where people are living and breathing their own stories, there will always be this invisible string that keeps us connected with one another. Like a magnet, our shared similarities (such as our musical interests, choices of style, and favourite shops) attach to this invisible string that pulls us closer together. No matter how worn out and aged the string is, it continues to carry Mississaugans' everlasting memories and keep us united for generations to come.