Local author launches new book on 'Flower Town'

Although the City of Brampton uses a single stylized rose as its logo, few people know the history behind the identification Brampton has with flowers, especially roses. This has been rectified by Caledon author Dale O'Hara, who has meticulously researched and written Acres of Glass: The Story of the Dale Estate and How Brampton Became 'The Flower Town of Canada,' which is to be released to the public Sept. 13.

In the 20th century, the Dale Estate was a company that dominated the floral industry of Brampton as well as all of Canada, the United States, and Europe, earning itself the distinction of being the largest greenhouse operation of its kind in the world. Spanning 100 years, the worldwide fame of the Dale Estate led the small town of Brampton to international recognition as "The Flower Town of Canada."

Behind every great enterprise there is also a story. Acres of Glass is the story of an Englishman from humble beginnings, who had a deep-seated love of roses, and who was filled with the entrepreneurial spirit that marked Canada in the early years of immigration. It is a story about a family that experienced personal tragedies as well as triumphs. It is about the building of a floral empire, known for over a century throughout the continent for its highly prized, award winning autographed roses, its over 500,000 orchid plants, and its 40 acres of glass greenhouses. It is also the story of its sudden collapse that occurred within a span of 10 years; their acres of greenhouses were abandoned; their international reputation was forgotten and not a trace of the former company remained.

Brampton, no longer a small town, struggled through to the 21st century, searching for an identity to differentiate itself among the Greater Toronto urban sprawl, its glorious past all but forgotten by the rapid increase in population and development. It is only recently that the City of Brampton has begun to reestablish its connection with its floral heritage through initiatives such as the Flower City Strategy and winning accolades in the annual Communities in Bloom competition.

In Acres of Glass, the story of the Dale Estate causes us to reflect on events from the past as we move toward to a rapidly changing future. As the author said; "if we don't know where we came from, it is difficult to know where we're going to."

The book details the extent of the expertise, quality and dedication that symbolized the Dale Estate's business and social values that continue to influence the citizens of the presentday Flower City.

The official book launch for Acres of Glass is being held at the Peel Heritage Complex, 9 Wellington Street East in downtown Brampton Thursday, Sept. 13 from 5-8 p.m. The author, Dale O'Hara, will be present to sign copies of the book, which will be available for purchase. Mayor Susan Fennell and City Council members will be present as well as members of the Brampton Arts Council, co-sponsors of the book. There will be an ongoing slide show of the over 130 photographs used in the book as well as refreshments and an opportunity to meet old friends and acquaintances. The public is invited to come to the book launch and take a walk down the memory lane of the once small town of Brampton and the great enterprise known as the Dale Estate.

For further information, please contact the Brampton Arts Council at 905-874- 2919, the Region of Peel Archives at 905-791-4055 or the author, by e-mail at deohara@allstream.net.

Dale O'Hara is a 5th generation Bramptonian and the great-granddaughter of the founder of the Dale Estate. A first-time author, she lives in Caledon with her family and her garden of more than 45 roses, one of which is an original Dale rose bush.