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…
Tag: Newmarket
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…
Teen Town Highlight Of Social Scene In 1950s, ’60s
I have been working on this article since I first began writing this column nearly five years ago, looking back at some of the memories associated with Newmarket’s Teen Town that are still so strong after all these years. My sincere thanks need to go out to all those who have participated in quite a few…
Indigenous Shared Secrets Including That Of The Sugar Bush With Settlers
Let’s examine a fun topic, you may say a “sweet topic.” Maple sugar was an important commodity for our early pioneers and, as was so often the case, the knowledge of maple sugar production came to us from our Indigenous peoples who shared the secret with our ancestors. Would our early settlers have survived life in the new world…
Irish Immigrants Settled In Newmarket’s Paddytown
A tiny Irish settlement along the river on Main Street north of Davis Drive (formerly Huron Street) remains a vital part of our Newmarket history. It took many years for Newmarket to spread north over the hill on Main Street north and this is the story of a tiny community that was indeed ahead of its…
Young Doctor’s Persistence Behind Southlake’s Beginnings
How many know the history of institutionalized medical care in Newmarket? Here is an overview of how we progressed from rooms in a local hotel to a modern facility called Southlake Regional Health Centre. The Royal Hotel at the corner of Main Street and Millard Avenue was repaired after the fire of 1907 and, in…
1930’s Mark Heyday Of Hockey, Theatre In Newmarket
We return to our series on Newmarket’s history timeline, beginning with the status of the town as the year 1930 opens. The total population sits at approximately 3,700. The town register lists 186 persons as being owners of their own businesses, with 98 business and trades located on the east side of town and 88 businesses…
