An Emerging Town:
The initial development of the land of the Dundas valley didn't start for quite a number of years later, with the arrival of Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe. Simcoe ordered in 1793, that a road be built from Cootes Paradise to the Thames River, and that a town be situated on a 60 acre plot on one end. This road today is known as Governor's Road. The road would be called Dundas Street. This street and eventually the town itself, can be assumed that they were named after the Honourable Henry Dundas (Secretary of State for Home Affairs in 1793) who was a close friend of Simcoe at the time.

In 1800 Richard Hatt moved to town and bought his first plot of land. It wouldn't be long before he owned over 1200 acres of land in the valley. Richard Hatt built the first grist mill of Dundas with his brother, being the first industry to come to town. The grist mill of Dundas quickly attracted the attention of the farmers from the surrounding area as the closest mill, which lead to the building of taverns and other such local businesses. The second major business which came to town a few years later, was the textiles industry. Wool came first and was followed soon after by the production of flax and then cotton.

Dundas was founded in 1801, as a growing town that was beginning to make it's mark. Unfortunately the incorporation of the town was held back due to the events of the war of 1812, which slowed progress and eventually lead to the legislators choosing Hamilton as the County Town in 1816. This marked one of the major drawbacks from the progress of Dundas. However, regardless of this turn of events, the town of Dundas was granted a post office in 1814.

In 1820, William Lyon Mackenzie settled in Dundas and began operating a warehouse, importing business, and a drug store. In 1823 he sold his shares, however, and moved to Queenston where he got involved in politics. During the rebellion of 1837, MacKenzie was exiled from Canada. At this time Mackenzie is said to have fled from the Montgomery Tavern and hid in caves in the escarpment overlooking Dundas for a while before fleeing to the United States. MacKenzie was later pardoned and returned to Canada.