Let’s go back in time to 1939 to the Newmarket Old Boys Reunion. I have made mention of this event in a few columns, but I think it was so momentous that it deserves its own column. The 1939 Newmarket Old Boys Reunion was predicated on the fact that many of the children and grandchildren of Newmarket’s pioneers…
Tag: Mulock
Post-War, Cold War Politics Challenged Mackenzie King
This is the second in a two-part series about William Lyon Mackenzie King, picking up where part one left off . The local MPP King became the leader of the federal Liberal Party and, subsequently, prime minister. His career began when he was noticed and nurtured by Sir William Mulock, who pushed King to enter federal politics and assume…
PM Mackenzie King Had Ties To Newmarket, Sir Mulock
Did you know that William Lyon Mackenzie King, more commonly known as Mackenzie King, represented the York North electoral district, which included Aurora and Newmarket, in the House of Commons from 1908 to 1911 and again from 1919 to 1948? King would serve as our Member of Parliament (MP) while he also held various cabinet positions, eventually…
Which Newmarket Heritage Projects Get A Thumbs Up?
In this week’s column, I examine the wins, losses when it comes to local heritage preservation over the years! This is, of course, from my perspective! This is part two of my series examining local heritage preservation, which focuses on some specific heritage properties, evaluating the projects using the criteria set out in part one, and determining their…
Re-Purposing Heritage Buildings Builds A Bridge Between The Old And The New
In this week’s column, highlight the many values of bringing new life to older buildings, like Newmarket’s former post office. This is a topic very close to my heart; the re-purposing of heritage buildings to preserve them for posterity. In September, I featured the story of the re-purposing of the Doane House into the Doane House Hospice and how…
Cawthra Family Has Equal Historical Impact In Newmarket, Toronto
The Cawthra family was equally famous in both Newmarket and Toronto history. I am often drawn to the commonality of prominent names in the histories of Newmarket and Toronto. The Toronto Cawthras and Newmarket Cawthras share a common lineage through Joseph Cawthra, their patriarch. Many of his descendants played significant roles in the establishment of Newmarket and Toronto. The Cawthra family of Toronto was famous for its business, social and cultural contributions to the city. This was also true…
Some Name Dropping Highlights Newmarket’s Early Movers And Shakers
There are many prominent family names in Newmarket that you’ll likely recognize. One of the true delights in researching our past is the spotlighting of all those flesh and blood men and women who have permanently etched their names into our story as a community. They served as a defining force in our growth and…
‘We’re Glad Ye Cam To The Toon’: When The Royal Prince Visited Newmarket
Newmarket hosted a royal visitor in September 1860 when the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward, the son of Queen Victoria, came to town. The village was all abuzz that fall. It was a very big deal. Countless boys born locally that year would be named in honour of the visiting Prince. Our elected reeve, the…
Stickwood Walker House A Heritage Tribute To The Founding Family
An historic property in the news this week is the Stickwood Walker farm, located on Mulock Drive, just east of Leslie Street on the south side. This one-and-a-half storey Gothic Revival house is constructed of grey/white brick and rests on a stone rubble foundation. Over the years, it has had a number of names; the…
Sir Mulock One Of Newmarket Grammar School’s Eminent Alumnus
In this second article in a series on the history of Newmarket High School, let’s look at the Grammar School on Millard Avenue, precursor to the high school. The establishment of the Grammar School system was accomplished by statute in 1807 for the Province of Upper Canada. Early Newmarket families felt the need for…
