Wismer Commons in Markham in York Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Founding of Markham

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 2, 2024

1. The Founding of Markham Marker

Inscription.
The earliest settlers in this part of Markham Township, including several “Pennsylvania Dutch”, arrived on the Rouge River shortly after 1800. Within ten years Nicholas Miller had erected mills around which a community known as Markham Mills had developed by about 1820. A village plot (Reesorville) was laid out north of the mills in 1826 by Joseph Reesor. Two years later a post office named Markham was opened. By 1850 the village had a population of 650 and contained such industries as a woolen mill, a foundry and a distillery. Markham was incorporated as a village under a by-law of November 20, 1872, some eighteen months after the arrival of the Toronto and Nipissing Railway.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board, Archives of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 20, 1872.

Location. 43° 53.631′ N, 79° 15.883′ W. Marker is in Markham,

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Ontario, in York Region. It is in Wismer Commons. It is on Markham Road (York Regional Road 68) 0.2 kilometers north of 16th Avenue (York Regional Road 73), on the left when traveling north. The marker is located beside the sidewalk at the Markham Museum north parking lot entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9350 Markham Road, Markham ON L3P 3J3, 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 16 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Unionville (approx. 4.8 kilometers away); Veteran’s Memorial Building (approx. 4.9 kilometers away); Altona Mennonite Church (approx. 10.6 kilometers away);

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 2, 2024

2. The Founding of Markham Marker

Looking southwest from Markham Road; the Markham Museum is in the background.

The Founding of Richmond Hill (approx. 14.1 kilometers away); Yonge Street / Rue Yonge (approx. 15 kilometers away); The De Puisaye Settlement (approx. 15.2 kilometers away); The Founding of Thornhill (approx. 15.4 kilometers away); Mason Cogswell's Wagon Yard (approx. 15.5 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Markham.

Also see . . . History of Markham, Ontario (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: In 1794, William Berczy led 64 German families from New York State to Markham Township, an area known as German Mills today. From 1803 to 1812, the largest group of settlers were Pennsylvania Germans, most of whom were Mennonites. These highly skilled craftsmen and knowledgeable farmers had the best chance for survival because they had already survived harsh conditions in Pennsylvania. From 1830 on, many Irish, Scottish and English emigrated to Upper Canada to escape the famine and overpopulation of their homeland. In 1850 the Township of Markham was created and by 1857 most of the Township had been cleared of timber and was under cultivation. In 1871, the Toronto and Nipissing Railway Company, with stations in Unionville
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 2, 2024

3. The Founding of Markham Marker (south side)
Both sides of this marker have the same English inscription.
and Markham, officially opened its line from Scarborough to Uxbridge. Initially, the railway brought renewed prosperity and rapid development. Farmers and millers had a more convenient means of transporting their products to Toronto. Other merchants had easier access to supplies and business boomed. The first form of structured municipal government occurred in 1850 when the Township of Markham was created. On November 20, 1872, the Warden of York County signed the By-law of Incorporation, which provided for the election of a Council for the Village of Markham. The Village of Markham grew to a population of 1100 by 1891.

(Submitted on August 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 380 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.