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History of Newmarket |
In June 1800, Timothy Rogers, a Quaker from Vermont, explored land
around the Holland River to find a suitable site for a proposed Quaker
settlement. In 1801 he returned leading several families, and in the
process founded Newmarket.
The community’s growth was initially slow, but things began to change
during the War of 1812 when the North-West Fur Company began using
Yonge Street as a vital link in its fur trade network. Soon, the
village began to replace York (Toronto) as the centre for the annual
distribution of “presents” to Native Peoples who were vital to the fur
trade.
Newmarket was at the heart of the ill-fated Rebellion of 1837, led by
fiery politician William Lyon Mackenzie. Many locals were disenchanted
by the province’s corrupt government, and when peaceful attempts at
inducing change failed, joined Mackenzie in a march down Yonge Street.
The rebellion was quickly crushed, though it did lead to reform.
During the 1820s the village was transformed into an extensive market
centre for the increasingly settled region. Thus was born the name
Newmarket. The arrival of the railway in 1853 led to further
prosperity, allowing industries---such as the famous Davis Tannery---
to bloom. Newmarket was incorporated as a village in 1857 with a
population of 700, and became a Town in 1880.
Newmarket experienced another boom following World War II. The years
1950 to 1970 saw the population more than double, from 5,000 to 11,000,
and the three decades that followed saw it increase sevenfold.
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Newmarket Today |
Newmarket is home to 73,000 people and remains the commercial and
industrial heart of Upper York Region. Rapid but sustainable
development over the past 30 years has created a bustling community
ideal for industry, commerce, and residence.
A strong and diverse industrial base includes over 100 industrial
establishments. During the period 1981-2004, total industrial floor
area in use grew an incredible 613%, to almost 8 million square feet.
Predictions suggest similar growth will occur during the next 20 years.
A healthy commercial sector, which includes Upper Canada Mall with its
more than 1 million square feet of retail space and 250 stores, is
supported by a robust community with an average income of $39,593. With
detached bungalows averaging $216,000, Newmarket remains an affordable
and attractive place to live, and by 2015 it will be home to 91,000
people.
Much of this growth is due to the accessibility of Toronto from
Newmarket. Highway 404 provides direct access to Downtown Toronto via
the Don Valley Parkway, while Highway 400 connects to Highway 9 and
offers a convenient route to Toronto’s west end. In addition, GO
Transit offers train and bus access to the city. Local transit within
Newmarket and surrounding municipalities is provided by York Region
Transit.
Southlake Regional Health Centre is the largest hospital in Northern
York Region. It currently has a 330-bed capacity and 300 doctors on
staff, but plans future expansion to meet the needs of the growing
community.
Newmarket is a town that prides itself on its recreational facilities
as well, including over 800 acres of active parkland. The most notable
of these include beautiful Fairy Lake Park, located just off Main
Street in the heart of town, and Rogers Reservoir, named for
Newmarket’s founder.
Other area attractions include Historic Downtown Newmarket, with its
shopping and ambience; the Elman H. Campbell Museum, recounting local
history through a number of exhibits (134 Main Street, 905-953-5314);
Newmarket Theatre (505 Pickering Crescent, 905-953-5122); and, during
the summer months, the York Shakespeare Festival, held in an outdoor
pavilion along the shores of Fairy Lake (Fairy Lake Park, 905-953-5122).
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