Legislation passed in 1973 by the provincial government to establish the Regional Municipality of Halton. Change was well on its way to Esquesing Township, Acton, and Georgetown. The goal was to end multi-tier governing and streamline local government. The new municipalities to be formed would be the City of Burlington, Town of Oakville, Central Halton, and North Halton.

Article from the Acton Free Press announcing province’s plan to create regional governments in Halton, 24 January 1973. Click on the image to view the full text.

When the election rolled around on October 1, 1973, residents of Esquesing Township, Acton and Georgetown could vote for their new mayor and town name. Their options were Esquesing, North Halton and Halton Hills.

Residents voted for the Town of Halton Hills and on January 1, 1974, the new name and town came into effect.

Tom Hill, former reeve of Esquesing, became the first mayor of the Town of Halton Hills. He told the Acton Free Press that the first goal of his mayorship would be to “unite the three towns into one.” A Planning Advisory Subcommittee was also created in the beginning of 1974 to help with the transition.

Article from the Acton Free Press announcing Halton Hills’ first mayor, Tom Hill, and new name, 3 October 1973. Click on the image to view the full text.

The new Council first met in the Esquesing offices. But the number of Town employees meant they also worked out of different buildings across the Town. A new Civic Centre was later built in 1989.

The first Halton Hills Council is sworn in at the former Esquesing Township Council Chamber. Garnet McKenzie is in the foreground, 1974. EHS16374, Esquesing Historical Society. Click on the image for more details.

The Town of Halton Hills Council for 1974-1976. EHS12162, Esquesing Historical Society. Click on the image for more details.

Many other important projects have gone through development.

A new fire station opened in Action in 1992. Acton’s Arena and Community Centre opened in 1998 and received expansive renovations in 2015. A new library was also built in Acton in 2011.

Georgetown’s Mold-Masters Sportsplex, including Alcott Arena, received renovations and expansion in 2001. The Gellert Community Centre opened in 2004 in Georgetown South.

The Georgetown library branch, and the attached gallery and theatre, were renovated and expanded in 1981. The Town announced that the theatre would be named after the late former councilor, John Elliott. The library and cultural centre received expansive renovations again in 2013.

Halton Hills has become a popular filming location for movies, TV shows and other media due to its location and picturesque scenery. Netflix, Amazon Prime and Paramount have filmed productions here recently. The Town is also known for its support for events like Culture Days and commitment to environmental issues.

Halton Hills continues to grow while still honouring the history of the communities that came together as one in 1974.

Dominion Gardens Park in Georgetown, 2017. EHS24012, Esquesing Historical Society. Click on the image for more details.