I always enjoy stepping back in time and looking at local businesses that were prominent, and the personalities who ran these beloved enterprises. Many of you may remember Geer and Byers, which was located on Botsford Street from 1933 to 1955. W.J. Geer purchased the building and the taxi business from Edward Boyd, who was our own Ted Boyd’s…
Tag: Newmarket
French Royalists, Germans, Scots Were Early Settlers
You all seemed to enjoy my multi-part series on the forgotten villages of York County, and I thought that a closer look at the de Puisaye and Berczy settlements from the late 1700s and early 1800s may be of interest. In my previous columns, I have covered the settlements that grew along Yonge Street north of Oak…
Local War Brides Came To Love Their Adopted Country
This article is part of continuing series on the historical demographics of Newmarket and area. The previous article featured Monica Sisler and her experience as a war bride. Let’s take a closer look at the wave of war bride immigration in our area. There has been a great deal of analysis as to the causes for this wave…
Many War Brides Shared Common Roots In Newmarket
In our continuing series, I am sharing stories I received from our readers of how their ancestors ended up in this area and their early experiences upon arrival. This account comes courtesy of Ken Sisler, who tells us the story of his aunt, Monica Sisler, who, by all accounts, had an interesting life. I should mention that…
The Dutch Touch In ‘50s Newmarket
This weekend we continue our look at Newmarket’s changing demographics with a story from Herb Goodhoofd, who sent me the story of his family’s arrival in Newmarket from Holland just after the end of the war. In the coming weeks we shall publish more of the family stories that were sent to me regarding their relocation…
Fertility Once Propelled Growth In Population
History Hound Richard MacLeod begins a series exploring historical demography through sharing the stories of how local residents came to live and work here. This is the first article in a series on a topic that has captivated me for years. Since the early 1950s, historians have been working on a new branch of Canadian…
Newmarket Vastly Changed Since Days As White British Enclave
This is the second in a series of articles on the historical demographics of Newmarket and area, in which we will shall examine the current figures with an eye to the way we were and the direction in which we are moving. In part one, I asserted that our major growth and diversification began after Second World War, and so…
Thanks For Sharing My Passion For Newmarket History
The amount of research associated with my column is often considerable and does take time and effort, so while I prepare for several upcoming articles, I am going to tell you the story — my story — of how I came to write this weekly heritage column for NewmarketToday and pay tribute to the many people who have played such a…
When’s The Last Time You Had An Old-Fashion Conversation?
When was the last time you had an old-fashion conversation? Not one conducted over Facebook or by email, or a brief chat about the weather with a neighbour while rushing off somewhere. I am talking about a two-way exchange about something meaningful, a community connection. I remember having so many quality interactions with people around…
Drinking Beer Was ‘Necessity’ For Newmarket’s Settlers
Since many of us have “a wee drop” in celebration of New Year’s Eve, here’s a short history of breweries and the brewing industry as it relates to our area. There has been an ongoing struggle to determine the place that alcohol should play in our community. You can read my article on Newmarket’s prohibition for background. Brewing in…
