It is often the case where one person is immortalized in our local history while others of equal importance are practically left by the wayside and yet they are most certainly worth remembrance. That’s the case with “the other Lount,”George Lount, who unlike his older brother, Samuel, has fallen through the cracks of our local…
Tag: Main Street
Pickles And Packing Part Of The Lore Behind Newmarket’s Newest Heritage House
The future of the Charles Denne/Bosworth House is in the news this week with a move by the Town of Newmarket to designate the property as historic — a move that the owner resisted. At yesterday’s committee of the whole meeting, council voted to proceed with the designation — a decision that needs to be finalized at…
When A Little Village Became A Bustling Town
If I look back at the evolution of Newmarket, it appears that it was neatly planned by destiny. As I have previously mentioned in my articles, it is easy to see sharply defined transitions taking place at 50-year intervals – 1800, 1850, 1900 and 1950. However, given the rapid acceleration of economic, social, and political events after…
Ward 2 Street Names Honor Pickering College, Farmers, Merchants, Politicians
As we continue our look at the provenance of street names in Ward 2, we will learn about old merchant families, politicians, doctors and professional people and our pioneer families. We have frequently named a street after someone who has served the community in a professional capacity, such as Robert Alexander (Alexander Road), a teacher at…
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…
Newmarket Celebrates A Centennial, Ends Prohibition In 1957
This weekend, I return to a format that has proven successful to highlight an individual year from our history. I enjoy the process of picking a year and going back to chronicle what was happening in town, and in many cases, reliving cherished memories. I have chosen the year 1957 as our featured year so…
Time And Time Again, Newmarket Was Devastated By Fire
Fire profoundly shaped the development of Newmarket. In this first of two parts, we shall look at the period from the mid-1800s to 1900. You may wish to read my previous articles on the fire department, the Stickwood Brick Factory, my history of Main Street and the waterworks for additional information. Fire has proven to be a major hazard for…
