Thornhill in Markham in York Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Founding of Thornhill
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 3, 2024
1. The Founding of Thornhill Marker (west side)
Small note added at lower right corner reads:
Over time, our understanding of Ontario’s heritage has broadened through new research. There’s a bigger discussion about this subject than what is presented here.
Learn more at heritagetrust.on.ca/plaques
Over time, our understanding of Ontario’s heritage has broadened through new research. There’s a bigger discussion about this subject than what is presented here.
Learn more at heritagetrust.on.ca/plaques
Settlement began here after the opening of Yonge Street in the mid-1790s and by 1802 a grist mill and sawmill were operating on the Don River. The community developed slowly until 1829 when Benjamin Thorne built a large flour mill, tannery and store. Within a year, the village also contained a post office named “Thornhill,” a church, school and tavern. Thornhill's growth as a milling and agricultural centre suffered after 1846 when the loss of British markets drove Thorne out of business. Further decline occurred when the Northern Railway bypassed the community in 1853. Recovery began with the flow of grain southward during the American Civil War and by 1867, about 700 residents were recorded. From 1931 to 1971, Thornhill was an incorporated Police Village.
Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture and Recreation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1802.
Location. 43° 48.966′ N, 79° 25.451′ W. Marker is in Markham, Ontario, in York Region. It is in Thornhill.
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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 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mason Cogswell's Wagon Yard (within shouting distance of this marker); Yonge Street Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Holy Trinity Church (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); J.E.H. MacDonald 1873-1932 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 6.6 kilometers away); The Founding of Richmond Hill (approx. 7 kilometers away); St. Andrew’s Church (approx. 8 kilometers away); Lord Beaverbrook 1879-1964 (approx. 8.3 kilometers away).
More about this marker. Both sides of this marker have the same English inscription.
Also see . . . Thornhill, Ontario (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Thornhill was founded in 1794. The original boundaries were the northern bounds of the Ladies Golf Club on the east side of Yonge and further north on the west side of Yonge; southern end between John Street and Arnold Avenue/Elgin Street. Its first settlers on Yonge Street in Thornhill were Asa Johnson (who settled on the(Submitted on August 28, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Vaughan side) and Nicholas Miller (who settled on the Markham side). Of particular importance was the arrival of Benjamin Thorne in 1820 from Dorset, England. The settlement came to be known as Thorne's Mills, and later, Thorne's Hill, from which its current name is derived. (Thorne committed suicide in 1848, after a serious wheat market crash.)Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 3, 20242. The Founding of Thornhill Marker (east side)Une petite note ajoutée dans le coin inférieur droit indique :
Au fil du temps, notre compréhension du patrimoine ontarien s’est élargie grâce à de nouvelles recherches. Ce sujet fait l’objet d’une discussion plur vaste que ce qui est présenté ici. Pour en savoir plus, consultes
heritagetrust.on.ca/plaques-frIn 1931, Thornhill became a "Police Village"; before that time, Thornhill had no independent status and was split between the townships of Vaughan and Markham along Yonge Street. The creation of the Police Village gave Thornhill its own political boundaries. The village was headed by a reeve.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 3, 2024
3. The Founding of Thornhill Marker
Looking north along Yonge Street; Thornhill Summit Drive (Centre Street) crosses in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 345 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 28, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
