One of the oldest stores on Newmarket’s Main Street is the William N. Starr Building, located just south of the old Central Hotel, and later, the McCauley Block, which was destroyed by fire in 1968. It is a pre-Confederation building, constructed in about 1863, replacing a frame structure on the site. You will remember in…
Tag: Interview
Ontario’s First Female Apothecary Had Main Street Store
One of the casualties in the debate over the future of the Clock Tower building in downtown Newmarket on Main Street was the historic building to the south, known as the Charles Hargrave Simpson building. Boarded up and neglected, and with a demolition company’s sign now posted on it, this building was once home…
King George Hotel Remains ‘Grand Old Lady’ Of Main Street
Given the excitement about the renovations being undertaken by Mike and Donna D’Angela, owners of the historic King George Hotel on the southwest corner of Main and Timothy streets, I’m sharing a little of the history of this incredible Main Street treasure. Said to be the oldest operating hotel in York Region, the iconic King George…
Prohibition Comes To Newmarket
NewmarketToday.ca brings you this weekly feature about our town’s history in partnership with Richard MacLeod, the History Hound, a local historian for more than 40 years. He conducts heritage lectures and walking tours of local interest, as well as leads local oral history interviews. You can contact the History Hound at thehistoryhound@rogers.com. With the debate over whether Newmarket should or…
Famed Forestry Magnate, And Author Had Roots In Newmarket
This week we return to our look at some of the “historic characters” from our community who you may never have known were from Newmarket. I am profiling two people who, while they made their contributions elsewhere, got their start here. I would like to think their time spent in Newmarket contributed to their successes…
Carter, Luesby Pillars Of Historical Community
I pay tribute to my mentors, Terry Carter and George Luesby, who can take credit for not only ensuring Newmarket’s heritage has been preserved but for igniting a respect and passion for history in our community The pursuit of local history is an endeavour requiring a passion that is quite often lit by a personal…
Constant Threat Of Fire Prompted Town’s First Fire Brigade In 1858
Fire and the threat of fire was the scourge of life in our town since its beginnings in 1801. One of the first things we did as an incorporated village was to form our own bucket brigade. Consisting of a small hand pump with which we could draw water from the various wells or from…
Radial Railway From Toronto To Jackson’s Point Flourished Until 1930s
The old adage “location, location, location” is most certainly true when we consider the growth and prosperity of any urban centre in history. This is most certainly true of the village, soon to be the Town of Newmarket. Newmarket has been blessed with a perfect location within the developing transportation structure of the province and…
Cane Family One Of Newmarket’s First Dynasties
Newmarket has had its share of family dynasties over the years, the Cane, Davis, Widdifield, Playter and Denne families being but a few. Over the next few months, I shall examine many of these historic families with an eye to their civic and political contributions to Newmarket. The first family I shall attempt to do…
Moving Town Hall To Tannery, Mulock Caused Controversy, Angst
We’re continuing our trip back in time to look at the various locations that served as our Town Offices. As the town grew, so did the need for bigger and better facilities to house our council and town departments. This is part two of a two-part series that will provide you with short descriptions of all…
