Ever wonder how Davis Drive became Davis Drive, or Memorial Way got its name? This article begins a series exploring Newmarket’s long history of commemorating its heritage through street names. I have examined the process as it relates to the naming of parks and recreational sites in an earlier article. I’ll examine the history behind the naming…
Author: HistoryHound
‘Discovery’ Of Remains On Former Newmarket Cemetery Site Unearthed Storm Of Controversy
Let’s return to a story I touched on recently, the Methodist cemetery known as God’s Acre on Garbitt Hill, now Prospect Street, at the former site of Alexander Muir school and now Chartwell Alexander Muir Retirement Residence. I must admit the story invokes a bit of bewilderment within me as it involves, if you can remember, the…
The First Photograph of Newmarket, And Other Fun Historical Tidbits
Let’s look at some of the individuals, places and events that highlight Newmarket’s rich and sometimes strange history. Newmarket’s second brewery (distillery) was located on D’Arcy Street at Church Street and was run by Thomas Jebb. (The first was located on Davis Drive, where the Co-Op was once located.) The building is interesting as it…
Post-War Newmarket Boomed With New Subdivisions, Businesses, As Vets Returned Home
I have been looking back on pivotal years in our community’s history over the past 2-½ years, specific years that I felt were worthy of re-examination. Let’s go back to the years 1945 to 1948, post-war Newmarket. It was on May 3, 1945 that our mayor, Dr. L. W. Dales, made the official announcement locally…
Renowned Retailer Robert Simpson Got His Start On Newmarket’s Main Street
Robert Simpson, who became a household name right across Canada, got his start right here on Main Street in Newmarket. His story is one of the most requested during my heritage presentations. Let us take a trip back to 1855 and the arrival in Newmarket of a young Simpson. Robert Simpson was born Sept. 17,…
Remembering A Time When Newmarket’s Bus Drivers Knew Your Name
Let’s go back in time to learn the story of Newmarket’s first bus transit system and the two men who made it happen. Many of us have memories of riding the town bus as a youth before we had wheels. The story begins with two Larry Needler and Earlby Ruthven, who were the owners of…
In 1980, Festivities Marked Newmarket’s 100th Year As A Town
I have chosen another year in Newmarket’s rich history to highlight — I previously featured the year 1957, when we celebrated the 100th anniversary of our incorporation as a village, and I thought it may be fun to go through the records and examine some of the highlights of the year 1980, when we celebrated the…
Early Black Settlers Arrived in Newmarket Via Underground Railroad
As I often mention, my historic curiosity knows no bounds and my interests are eclectic, to say the least. This article focuses on what I have learned so far about the Black history of our area. I am sharing a few stories in the hope they will spark others to send me their stories of…
Booming ’50s Created Need For Second High School In Newmarket
This weekend, I will tie up a few odds and ends regarding my series on the history of Newmarket High School, which I first started writing for Newmarket Today back in 2018. You can go to the Remember This section to catch up on any of segments that you may have missed. Let us begin with a…
Itinerant Methodist Ministers The Root Of Newmarket’s First Meeting House For Public Worship
I’m continuing my series on Newmarket churches with a closer look at the Methodists, from which the current United Church was to spring. Shortly after the beginning of the 18th century, the Methodists made their appearance at the new settlement north of York. An early reference to Methodism in the Newmarket/Yonge Street district comes from Nathan Bangs,…
