Richmond Hill in York Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Founding of Richmond Hill

Photographed by Aram Rajabpour, November 4, 2023

1. The Founding of Richmond Hill Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Settlers came to this district about 1794 after the construction of Yonge Street north from York (Toronto). The settlement prospered as a way station for travellers. Known as Mount Pleasant, the community was renamed, following a visit in 1819 by the Governor-in-Chief of British North America, the Duke of Richmond. Mills along the Don River preceded the establishment of tanneries and carriage works. The first church, erected by Presbyterians, opened in 1821, the post office in 1836. By 1853 a railway station was located nearby. A County By-law, passed in 1872, incorporated Richmond Hill as a village and its council first met in 1873. Town status was achieved in 1957 and its boundaries were greatly extended in 1970.

Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1794.

Location.

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43° 52.666′ N, 79° 26.336′ W. Marker is in Richmond Hill, Ontario, in York Region. It is on Yonge Street, on the right when traveling south. Right in front of "Covernotes", and a couple of meters north from the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10268 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill ON L4C 3B7, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto,

specifically on the Golden Horseshoe,

in the York, Durham and Headwaters Area,

and in the Toronto Metropolitan Area.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Yonge Street / Rue Yonge (approx. 4.6 kilometers away); The De Puisaye Settlement (approx. 5.1 kilometers away); Lord Beaverbrook 1879-1964 (approx. 6.4 kilometers away); 9980 Keele Street (approx. 6.4 kilometers away); St. Andrew’s Church (approx. 6.6 kilometers away); Mason Cogswell's Wagon Yard (approx. 6.9 kilometers away); Yonge Street Hill (approx. 6.9 kilometers away); The Founding of Thornhill (approx. 7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond Hill.

More about this marker. This marker sits at the Southwest corner of Yonge and Wright street. It's directly in front of a historical building that is currently a cafe called Covernotes. This building has had many different uses since its construction, including a government building, high school, and library. The current occupants, Covernotes, pay homage to the building's library days through their decor. The Richmond Hill

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high school eventually moved a short walk west down Wright Street, and that was eventually replaced by a larger and current Richmond Hill High School.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2023, by Aram Rajabpour of Richmond Hill, Ontario. This page has been viewed 315 times since then and 20 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on November 10, 2023, by Aram Rajabpour of Richmond Hill, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.