Ajax

Ajax was incorporated as a town in 1955, but long before that, several small settlements and farms were found in the area. In 1941, the largest defence industry in North America was located in this area to provide supplies for the Allies in World War II. The founding of Defense Industries Limited (DIL) was really the start of Ajax as we know it. As thousands of workers and their families settled in the immediate area, communities developed, and a post office was needed, which meant the area needed a name. A competition among DIL employees resulted in the name Ajax being chosen, in honour of one of the three ships that in 1939 had engaged and routed the German battleship Graf Spee at the Battle of the River Plate near Uruguay.

After the war, the University of Toronto leased many of the DIL buildings for a new flood of engineering students and a new population base was added to the area. The community continued to grow and by the early 1950s it was clear that it was time for incorporation as a municipality which occurred in 1955. Twenty years later, the small community of Pickering Village and parts of Pickering Township were amalgamated with Ajax, forming the town?s current boundaries.

Residents of Ajax boast the longest undeveloped beachfront on Lake Ontario within the Toronto area. With more than six kilometres of natural lakefront, Ajax has something to be proud of indeed. It is a heritage they guard carefully, striving to preserve the delicate area waterways such as Duffins and Carruthers Creeks.

With many kilometres of walking and biking trails along with lush parkland, the waterfront is well-used. At the foot of Harwood Ave. S. is Harwood Point Historical Gardens, dedicated to the HMS Ajax, the ship after which the town was named. The Gardens are also dedicated to the DIL plant and its workers who made this area their home during World War II. The Gardens are a great place to learn some of the town?s history and to simply enjoy the lakefront. West along the lakefront is Rotary Park, the site of many cultural programs such as Music in the Park in the summer, Canada Day celebrations, and many other special activities. Rotary Park includes a playground and snack bar and is also the entry point to a long span bridge across Duffins Marsh where it enters the lake. Across the bridge, the pathway continues into the City of Pickering.

About Ajax

Population 90,000

Age Established in 1941, incorporated as a Town in 1955

Location North shore of Lake Ontario, 20 minutes east of Toronto

Highways 401 and 2 (Kingston Rd.)

Airport Oshawa Municipal Airport, Buttonville Airport, Pearson International Airport in Toronto

Public Transit Ajax Pickering Transit Authority

Education The Durham District School Board operates 17 elementary and 3 secondary schools; the Durham Catholic District School Board operates 7 elementary and 2 secondary schools; Post Secondary schools include The University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Durham College with easy access to academic institutions in Toronto.

Emergency Services Full municipal fire protection, five fire halls, 911 area coverage served by Durham Regional Police and Ontario Provincial Police

Tourist/Cultural and Recreation Facilities Full range of municipal recreation programs and sports fields, hiking trails, waterfront, parks, library, Harwood Point Historical Gardens