History of Oshawa, ON

Historians believe that the Oshawa site began as a breeding ground for the wool trade. Beaver and other animals that had been skinned by local natives were sold on the Coureurs des Bois (pedestrians). Furs were loaded onto boats by natives of Mississauga in the port of Oshawa and taken to commercial centers west of the mouth of Credit River. About 1760, the French built a trading post near the harbor this was abandoned a few years later, but its ruins provide accommodation for the first settlers of what became Oshawa later. Most notably, one of the fur sellers was Moody Farewell, the first public official to change his name.

Oshawa is the headquarters of General Motors Canada, with major manufacturing and administrative functions in the city, and employs thousands of direct and indirect thousands. From Windsor, Ontario, headquartered in Chrysler Canada, both cities have a friendly dispute entitled "Automotive Capital of Canada", now owned by Oshawa. While the role of the company that was once important to the local economy has diminished, it remains the largest local employer. In November 2018, General Motors announced the closure of the plant, with the layoffs of paid and hourly workers.

Downtown Oshawa has been identified as the Center for Urban Growth in the Ontario Government Growth Center. More than 5,000 working people and more than 2,400 university students are studying in the city center. The town center is home to the Regent Theater and Tribute Communities Center, food (50+ restaurants and fine restaurants [14] and culture (The Robert McLaughlin Gallery and Canadian Automotive Museum). Oshawa is home to the Regional Innovation Center. and provides services for start-ups for small businesses and affiliates, with partner offices located in the city center.