Settlement initially began in Clarkson in 1806, shorly after the first Mississauga Purchase.  Among the first settlers were the Bradley, Greeniaus, Hammond, Jarvis, Merigold, Monger, and Thompson families, many of whom were United Empire Loyalists and were among the founding families of the Merigold's Point settlement here in Mississauga.  Warren Clarkson arrived in 1808 at the age of 15, and in 1819 he built a house and farm; the house still stands and is believed to be on of the oldest surviving buildings in Mississauga.  The Clarkson family also operated a general store and post office.  In 1855 the Great Western Railway came through the area and the station "Clarkson's corners", later shortened to "Clarkson".  In its heyday, Clarkson was known as the 'Strawberry Capital of Canada', and strawberry socials were a focal point of life in the early community.  Both of the Museums of Mississauga, Bradley Museum and Benares Historic House, are located in Clarkson.