Southern Ontario: History
The French explored and colonized Territorial Southern Ontario in the 17th century and forged relations within the Huronia region with the Wendat people based around the Georgian Bay/Lake Simcoe area. Other Iroquoian-speaking people to the south were the Petun and Neutral Nation, and further northeast in Anishinaabewaki, Algonquins inhabited the upper Ottawa River/Madawaska Valley areas and the Mississaugas moved south from northern Lake Huron, settling lands in both the Kawartha region and just west of Toronto.
Following the Seven Years' War, the British wrested control of Southern Ontario, and more significant colonization efforts were spurred on by the arrival of United Empire Loyalists brought on by the American Revolution.
Southern Ontario was where a large portion of the battles took place during the War of 1812, and was a major destination for escaping slaves using the Underground Railroad.
Following the enactment of Prohibition in the United States in 1919, Southern Ontario immediately became a hotbed of smuggling alcohol (spirit) across the border.