When Ajax was incorporated on January 1, 1955, it was already a place with a unique origin story. The town was born out of wartime necessity, its very name a tribute to HMS Ajax, the Royal Navy cruiser that, alongside HMNZS Achilles and HMS Exeter, successfully overcame the German ship Admiral Graf Spee at the Battle of the River Plate in 1939. In choosing Ajax, the community anchored its identity to a story of resilience and resolve at sea, a name that carried both the weight of sacrifice and the promise of strength for the generations who would call the lakeside town their home.

For Mayor Shaun Collier, that moment marked a turning point. “In 1955, its incorporation marked a shift from a munitions-based industrial hub to a planned community with a clear vision for growth. That founding identity, rooted in resilience, innovation, and strategic land use, has shaped our trajectory ever since.”

Ajax’s early years were marked by adaptation and reinvention. The massive Defence Industries Limited (DIL) munitions plant, no longer needed after the war, was transformed to meet postwar needs. “From the fall of 1948 to the summer of 1953, the DIL buildings found another use as housing for people displaced from Eastern Europe,” Mayor Collier explains. “Later, from 1946-1949, some of the DIL buildings were repurposed for the University of Toronto Faculty of Engineering.” These examples of adaptive reuse set the tone for a community that would continually repurpose its assets to meet the needs of new generations.

That spirit of resilience has carried forward to Ajax’s 70th anniversary. To mark the milestone, the town has unveiled a new logo and interactive digital timeline. As Mayor Collier puts it, “The new logo and website are more than commemorative; they’re a celebration of where we started and where we are going. The interactive timeline and digital storytelling showcase our growth and resilience, sending a clear message to investors and entrepreneurs: Ajax is open for business and built for the future.”

Growth and Transformation

Over the past seven decades, Ajax has transformed demographically, economically, and culturally. “Over the past 70 years, the Town has grown from a small majority-white wartime suburb to one of Canada’s most racially diverse municipalities,” says Collier. Since the late 1960s, waves of immigration have brought communities from around the world, enriching the town’s culture and economy. “Economically, Ajax has also shifted from its industrial roots to a more diverse economy of manufacturing, services, and the professional sectors, shaped in large part by the contributions of racialized and immigrant workers.”

The town’s trajectory has also been shaped by pivotal planning and infrastructure decisions. From the creation of the Ajax Plaza in 1951, believed to be Ontario’s first strip mall, to the establishment of the Ajax and Pickering General Hospital in 1966, the town invested early in civic and cultural institutions. The Ajax Community Centre, opened in 1967, became another anchor for community life, while the arrival of the Ajax GO Station tied the town more closely to Toronto’s economic orbit. “Together, these decisions have shaped Ajax into a town that balances historical legacy with modern progress, where thoughtful planning continues to support a thriving, inclusive community.”

Anchored in Heritage, Looking Ahead

Ajax’s connection to its history is visible throughout the community. Veterans’ Point Gardens, with its naval-inspired design, commemorates the town’s wartime roots while serving as a gathering space for events and remembrance ceremonies. The Greenwood Conservation Area and Ajax Waterfront Trail embody the town’s commitment to nature, recreation, and quality of life. “They’re not just recreational assets, they’re economic drivers. They enhance quality of life, attract tourism, and support our branding as a nature-forward, family-friendly town,” notes Collier.

Heritage in Ajax is not treated as something separate from progress. “We treat heritage as a strategic asset. By integrating historical storytelling into our branding and urban design, we preserve identity while embracing innovation,” Collier says. Whether through adaptive reuse of historic buildings or weaving heritage themes into public art and wayfinding, Ajax sees its past as an anchor for its future.

Celebrating 70 Years

The anniversary year has been marked with events designed to unite residents and showcase Ajax to visitors. The grand opening of the Ajax Fairgrounds, highlighted by the town’s first-ever drone show, symbolized that blend of tradition and innovation. “Hundreds of synchronized drones lit up the night sky, choreographed to music and forming dazzling scenes that depicted key moments from Ajax’s past,” recalls Collier. Other highlights included the Tour d’Ajax cycling route, Silver Screen Sundays, and free community swims and skates, all designed to stimulate local commerce and civic pride.

For Collier, these events are not only celebrations but also investments in the town’s future identity. “Each of these events has been thoughtfully planned to draw visitors to local businesses and showcase the unique amenities of our town.”

Vision for the Next 50 Years

Looking ahead to the town’s 120th anniversary, Collier envisions Ajax as a community that balances inclusivity, opportunity, and innovation. “I hope we’re remembered for laying the groundwork for a smart, inclusive, and economically robust town; that we’ve built infrastructure that lasts, fostered entrepreneurship, and created a culture of innovation.”

That vision includes ensuring Ajax remains a welcoming community for newcomers and a place where heritage is embedded in everyday life. “If fifty years from now, Ajax is known as a community that is resilient, welcoming, and always looking ahead, then I believe we will have truly made our mark for generations to come.”

Ajax in Three Words

Asked to describe Ajax in three words, Mayor Collier is quick to respond: “Vibrant, Diverse, Historic.” It is a succinct summary of a community that began as a wartime settlement, grew into a planned town, and has become one of Canada’s most dynamic municipalities. As Ajax celebrates its 70th anniversary, it does so with pride in its past and confidence in its future.

For more information, please visit www.ajax.ca/ajax70