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The tremendous growth in population and industry in Upper Canada during the 1840's, resulted in the formation of new Counties and Electoral Districts along the Lakeshore. In 1851, by an Act of Parliament, l4th & 15th Victoria, Cap. 5 - which came into force January 1st, 1852, the old County of York was divided into three counties, York, Ontario and Peel. By Proclamation, March 11, 1852, Lord Elgin, declared Whitby, the County Town, and erected the Town Reeves and Deputy Town Reeves for the Ontario County into a provisional Municipal Council. For municipal purposes, (i.e. records and government admisistration), the union of Ontario and York Counties continued until January 1st, 1954. Ref: Historical sketch of County of Ontario. Roads Pickering Reeve, W. H. Mitchell and Deputy Reeve, R. A. Parker, attended the York County meeting in 1850 which dealt with the following important Municipal Acts, concerning township roads: "Resolved that the Warden be instructed to make an offer to the Government of 60,000 Pounds for the trans-fer of macadamized roads to the County Council, payable in twenty years with the understanding that the term be extended twenty years longer should the Council require it. The above sum to bear interest at the rate of five per cent. "Joseph Gould resolved, "that any new division of Counties should not be responsible for the debt unless a portion of roads extended into new division." Minutes of York County Council, 1850" In 1854, our own Township By-law 55, provided for the payment of money and the providing of statute labour for each highway overseer. The highway overseer was allowed to sell road timber and gravel, etc. Statute labour could be commuted for 2 shillings 7 pence per day for an eight hour day. In 1854, a By-law was passed to assess the inhabitants of Pickering, the sum of 400 Pounds for road building. The Kingston Road was planked only as far as the eastern bank of the Rouge River, and the toll house and poor roads remained a bone of contention for may years. The Rouge Bridge was rebuilt in 1846-47 and again in 1878. Picture: Rouge Hills and Bridge.