The Founding of Dundas
In 1793 Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe authorized a townplot in this vicinity at the then eastern terminus of Dundas Street. Its original name, "Coote's Paradise", was derived from that of the adjoining marsh, a haunt of waterfowl, and the favourite hunting ground of a Captain Thomas Coote. West of the townplot mills were built, which became the nucleus of a community known by 1801 as "Dundas Mills". The community's location at the head of navigation on Lake Ontario attracted settlers. About 1808 streets were laid out by Richard Hatt and William Hare. The village's growth was further stimulated by the completion in 1837 of the Desjardins Canal, and the Town of Dundas was incorporated in 1847.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Ontario Plaques. Full page here.