The history of banking in Newmarket is a particularly interesting story, indicative, I believe, of the trend of development that we saw nation-wide, growing into our present efficient national banking system. Before 1865, all of the banking business of the village of Newmarket had to be carried out in Toronto. However, in August 1865, the Royal…
Tag: Main Street
Newmarket’s Early Newspaper Owners Were Men Of Influence
Come with me to 1852 Newmarket to take a look at the town’s early newspapers and publishers. The population was only 500. There were no sidewalks on Main Street north of the Christian Church and only two or three houses had been built in that area. Beyond the main street to the north and west,…
In Review Of Decades, The ’60s Marked Massive Growth In Newmarket
In keeping with the beginning of a new year, this week I’ll highlight the progress that occurred with each decade from the incorporation of the Village of Newmarket in the 1850s up to the 1970s. It is my hope this article, coinciding with the arrival of 2020, will serve as both an overview of our…
Most Of Newmarket’s Ghosts Are Friendly
Just a few days removed from our celebration of All Hallows’ Eve, I am sharing with you some of the ghost stories from my annual heritage walk for charity in downtown Newmarket. To my way of thinking, most ghost stories have a firm footing in history, whether it be an event, a historic structure or…
Who’s Who Of Newmarket Attended Trinity United Church
One of the big white churches on Main Street is the Methodist Church, which became Trinity United Church in 1925. While the United Church was the result of a merger of three churches in 1925, the Methodist Church was founded in 1824. The roots of the Methodist Church in Newmarket date back to 1824, when…
Three Early Newmarket Business ‘Survivors’ Thrive Today
Over the last year, I have written about the effects of fire and flood and other misadventures that have altered the landscape of Newmarket, as well as highlighted businesses and merchants of old and their contributions to the growth of our community. This week I want to take a brief look at three survivors, companies…
Three Early Newmarket Business ‘Survivors’ Thrive Today
Over the last year, I have written about the effects of fire and flood and other misadventures that have altered the landscape of Newmarket, as well as highlighted businesses and merchants of old and their contributions to the growth of our community. This week I want to take a brief look at three survivors, companies…
Roots Of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church More Than 185 Years Deep
When the Presbyterian Church arrived in Newmarket is uncertain. Records indicate that Presbyterianism dates to at least 1813, when a Col. Graham of the Aurora area donated 40 acres, known as Lot 25 on the 2nd Concession of King Township, for a ‘glebe’, land meant for the building of a manse. While it was later…
Canada’s Unofficial Anthem First Sung At Main Street Church
On July 25, 1874, the cornerstone was laid for the Christian Church (now the Christian Baptist Church) at the top of Main Street. This event was surrounded by much pomp and ceremony. Six triumphal evergreen arches were erected over Main Street as the town welcomed the Earl of Dufferin, governor general, who arrived to lay the…
Newmarket’s First ‘Moving Pictures’ Theatre Opened In 1909
The Roxy? The Strand? The Film Factory? Tweak any memories? In this week’s Remember This, History Hound Richard MacLeod recalls Newmarket’s movie theatres. The cinema — known as moving pictures in my Grandma’s era — has long been a major source of entertainment around the world. This weekend, we will explore the history of the…
