This is second instalment of my column on the history of gas stations in Canada. First, I examined the arrival of the gas station to Canada back in 1907, and now we turn our focus to the iconic gas stations in the Newmarket area. If you would like to contribute one of your memories to this list, please…
Tag: Oral History
How Gas Stations Have Changed Through Time
This is the first of a two-part examination of the history of gas stations, beginning with their arrival in Canada and our town. In part two, I will look at back through history at our iconic Newmarket gas stations. I am sure you will remember your local gas station from your youth and have noticed just…
Canada Played Pivotal Role In UN’s Creation
A participant on one of my recent heritage walks incorrectly made the point that Canada has played no role in either the United Nations mandate or various world events that continue to arise, which has prompted this column on Canada’s crucial role in the establishment of the UN, its charter, human rights charter and participation in…
Newmarket Shoppers Flocked To New Plazas And Malls
The arrival of the shopping mall changed our history in Newmarket and across Canada, as consumers shifted away from family-run local stores to mega malls. Let’s take a brief look at the emergence of the mall shopping experience. Experts tell us there have been three main stages in the development of shopping centres in North America: the…
Decade-Long Local Poll Reveals Thoughts About Holidays
Every year I have conducted polls for my own amusement on a subject that may not appear to be associated with local history, but the results do indicate the generation of birth, and your ongoing social and economic background. The interesting thing is one’s views on the subject seem to vary as we age. The question…
Memories Of Special Christmas Gifts Never Fade
A popular Christmas tradition with its roots in antiquity is the exchanging of gifts. Even though trends and tastes in gifts may change, the gesture of acquiring, preparing, and bestowing something of value to friends and family is a time-honoured tradition in celebration of the festive period and has been for thousands of years. Today,…
Your Photos, Videos Help Keep Our History Alive
One of the essential elements of historical preservation is the photographs taken of people, places and things. This has been joined in the last few years by the taking of videos. The hobby of photography and videography can be very rewarding in the present, but few people consider that these photos or videos will provide a tangible…
The Issue Of Homelessness Has Evolved Over The Years
Often a topic for my column will come about from a conversation or comment I receive during one of my local heritage walks or presentations, which has prompted me to explore the issue of homelessness from a historical perspective. Someone insisted that homelessness in Canada was a modern phenomenon and that we did not have the problem…
Post-War, Cold War Politics Challenged Mackenzie King
This is the second in a two-part series about William Lyon Mackenzie King, picking up where part one left off . The local MPP King became the leader of the federal Liberal Party and, subsequently, prime minister. His career began when he was noticed and nurtured by Sir William Mulock, who pushed King to enter federal politics and assume…
PM Mackenzie King Had Ties To Newmarket, Sir Mulock
Did you know that William Lyon Mackenzie King, more commonly known as Mackenzie King, represented the York North electoral district, which included Aurora and Newmarket, in the House of Commons from 1908 to 1911 and again from 1919 to 1948? King would serve as our Member of Parliament (MP) while he also held various cabinet positions, eventually…
