In a January 1979 edition of the Newmarket Era, this quote concerning the future of the Old Town Hall was included in an article about its history: “… let me share with you some of my memories of this 96-year-old building which is slated for demolition in the not too distant future”. Fortunately, this dire prediction…
Tag: History
Newmarket’s Great Canal Project Became ‘Mulock’s Folly’
When I am asked what the most contentious topic is in Newmarket’s history, I answer that, in my opinion, the whole matter of the “Ghost Canal” would have to be my choice. Few topics in our history have garnered more missed facts or generated more myths and misinterpretations than Newmarket’s Canal project. In this article,…
Newmarket’s Fairgrounds Boasted Race Track, Palace, And Grandstands
In my second article in our series on events that provided entertainment for our town ancestors, let’s explore the Chautauqua, a sort of travelling vaudeville show that featured cultural programs by highly talented artists. It wasn’t always possible to travel to Toronto and other large venues for entertainment of this calibre, so the Chautauqua brought…
The Best Entertainment Was When The Circus Came To Town
I am often asked about the entertainment our ancestors enjoyed when they were children, so I thought this week I would highlight the travelling circuses and the magic they brought to town, and next week, I will discuss fairs and the chautauqua. The travelling circus became a major attraction in the surrounding area about the…
Newmarket Long Battled, Banned ‘Demon’ Booze
With the debate over whether or not Newmarket should allow the sale of recreational cannabis in retail locations being front and centre over the past few months, I was reminded of Newmarket’s history with the other major regulated substance in its past: alcohol. When people asked me if I thought council would permit marijuana shops, I answered with…
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…
Main Street Became Early Hub Of Growing Village
It seems a coincidence that the birth of the tiny settlement that we would later call Newmarket would coincide with the beginning of the 19th century, when Timothy Rogers brought 40 families from the northern American states to the Yonge Street area in 1801. Rogers, who himself came from Vermont, led his relatives and friends…
Christmas Was More Of A Community Celebration
As many of you know, I have been conducting oral history interviews, first audio only and later audio-visual, for many years. Eventually, Christmas memories come up in most of the interviews and this article centres around some of those discussions with our older interviewees. Many of these memories may strike a chord with you or…
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…
