We Built This City: Uncovering Mississauga’s Hidden Stories for its 50th Anniversary
Mississauga – Mississauga, known for its historical significance and cultural vibrancy, is celebrating its 50th anniversary by sharing untold stories that have shaped the city. In honor of this milestone, Visit Mississauga has partnered with award-winning journalist Lisa Hrabluk, who originally hails from the city, to curate a series called We Built This City. This collection features 50 fascinating, little-known stories about the people, events, and organizations that have contributed to Mississauga’s evolution.
The series captures Mississauga’s diverse history, from being the birthplace of Canada’s aerospace industry to being the home of historical figures like Colonel Sanders. Through blogs and podcasts, We Built This City aims to shed light on compelling tales of passion, heartache, intrigue, and even a bit of rock and roll, showcasing the city’s transformation over the past five decades.
The blog series launched online earlier this year, with new chapters released weekly, delving into different aspects of the city’s legacy. The stories cover a broad range of topics, including moments of triumph and tragedy, untold anecdotes, and the unique contributions of residents and groups. The blog has drawn attention for its engaging storytelling and dedication to highlighting Mississauga’s lesser-known history.
Exciting news! Your favourite column, “We Built this City”…now has a podcast!
Dive into the incredible stories of the people and groups that have shaped Mississauga into its vibrant cultural canvas.
New episodes drop weekly: https://t.co/jOrbxpCbIU #Mississauga50 pic.twitter.com/S2n5m1odwO
— City of Mississauga (@citymississauga) October 18, 2024
In early October, We Built This City expanded to include a weekly podcast series, created in collaboration with Podstarter, where Lisa Hrabluk shares some of these captivating stories. The podcast is accessible on all major streaming platforms, offering an auditory journey into Mississauga’s past and present. Each episode dives into a different story, providing listeners with new insights and historical context about the city.
For those who prefer the traditional format, all 50 stories will also be compiled in a special anniversary print edition of Your City magazine. This limited-edition publication will be distributed for free across Mississauga later this fall, giving residents a chance to collect a piece of the city’s history. To secure a copy, interested readers can place their orders online to reserve the memento.
Visit Mississauga, the city’s official destination marketing organization, has been instrumental in developing and promoting the project. The initiative aligns with the city’s broader efforts to celebrate local culture and attract visitors through events and tourism development. As Mississauga marks its 50th anniversary, the project serves not only as a tribute to the past but also as a way to foster a sense of community pride and engagement.
To explore the We Built This City series or learn more about Mississauga’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, visit visitmississauga.ca or follow Visit Mississauga on Instagram, Facebook, and X. The city’s official website, mississauga.ca/50, offers additional details about upcoming events and ways to participate in the festivities.
