[2] It was directly west of but not part of the City of Toronto (which was named York at the time of the township's establishment), and its land area makes up the majority of present-day Mississauga.
More than a dozen small communities grew in this area, most of which were located near natural resources, waterways for industry and fishing, and routes leading into York.
[3] In 1873, in light of the continued growth seen in this area, Toronto Township was incorporated as a rural municipality and a council was created to oversee the affairs of the various villages that were unincorporated at that time.
The council's responsibilities included road maintenance, the establishment of a police force, and mail delivery service.
[4] Mississauga became a city seven years later in 1974,[5] and ceded its northernmost area (and thus lands formerly part of the township) to Brampton.