Newmarket History
In June 1800, Timothy Rogers of Vermont, brought a number of Quaker families to settle the area around the Holland River. Newmarket grew slowly until the War of 1812 when the British Military and the North-West Fur Company began using Yonge Street to connect York (Toronto) with its Georgian Bay bases and trade routes. Newmarket was the location of the annual distribution of “presents” to Native Peoples in the area.
During the 1820s the village became a market centre for the region, leading to the name Newmarket. Newmarket was the heart of the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion — led by local politician William Lyon Mackenzie — which was fought over corrupt government and officials, and led to a reform of the colony’s governance. When the railway arrived in 1853, local industries grew and Newmarket was incorporated as a village in 1857 and became a town in 1880.
Following World War II, the population doubled from 5,000 to 11,000 by 1970. Since then, the community a wide range of manufacturing and distribution businesses and the population has swelled to 73,000.
Newmarket Attractions
Brooks Farms
122 Ashworth Rd., Mount Albert, L0G 1M0
905-473-3920 Fax: 905-473-6192
Taste fresh Asparagus, Currants, Gooseberries, Pumpkins, Raspberries, Squash, Strawberries, Saskatoon berries. Family activities include pig races, pumpkin cannons, straw jumps, Rusty’s forest, alien invasion, and corn maze at the FALL FUN FESTIVAL.
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
120 Bayview Pkwy, Newmarket, L3Y 4X1
1-800-465-0437 Fax: 905-967-1265
We invite you to pursue a wide range of recreational opportunities in the conservation areas within the Lake Simcoe watershed. By picnicking, hiking, fishing and cross country skiing in these areas you can experience-first hand-the benefits of a healthy environment. Year round hiking opportunities exist in the following conservation areas: Scalon Creek, Thornton Bales, Sheppard’s Bush, Rogers Reservoir, Beaver River Wetlands.
Mabel Davis (Newmarket)
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
905-895-1281 Fax 905-853-5881This 1.4 kilometre trail along the Holland River, between “The Tannery” and Bayview Parkway was donated to the Conservation Authority by Mabel Davis, a Newmarket resident of. While this 7.25 hectare area, while surrounded by urban development, is home to many wild plants and animals including cotton tail rabbits, muskrats, and raccoons. Mabel Davis Conservation Area can be accessed from both Davis Drive and Bayview Parkway.
Rogers Reservoir (Newmarket)
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
(2 kilometres north of Newmarket, the reservoir is accessible from Green Lane.)
905-895-1281 Fax 905-853-5881The concrete lock and its swing bridge are remnants of a “Ghost” Canal System built and abandoned in the 1900’s – without ever having been used. This 68 hectare is popular for watching nesting birds (like great blue herons, american coots, and sora rails), fishing line, hiking and cycling along trails (part of the Nokiidaa Trail sytem which links Aurora, Newmarket and East Gwillimbury).
Scanlon Creek (Bradford)
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
(4 kilometres north of Bradford. Signage on County Road 4 directs traffic to the main gate on Concession Road 9, Et of the highway. )
905-895-1281 Fax 905-853-5881Explore forests, marshlands, and glacial erratics at Scanlon Creek Conservation Area. A trail system lets hikers explore 282 hectares of woodlands and meadows, and fishing is permitted in the four hectare reservoir. Picnic pavilions available. Bikes restricted to roadways only.
Historic Downtown District
The town of Newmarket boasts a unique history dating back to a Quaker settlement from the early 19th century. Visitors can stroll around the area and learn about the town’s heritage through a number of street plaques. Highlights of the district include Fairy Lake and the Old Town Hall, which was built in 1883.
Strawberry Creek Farm Market
17471 Woodbine Ave, Newmarket, L4P 4A3
905-656-7127 Fax: 905-656-7127
Pick-your-own strawberries, and variety of homegrown vegetables. Call for picking hours. Open Monday-Sunday 9 am-6 pm
Terraflora Gardens
170 Juliana Rd., R.R.#2, Newmarket, L0E 1R0
905-775-6217 Fax: 905-775-6218
Buy your bedding plants, hanging baskets, custom order hanging baskets, succulents, flowering kale & cabbage and mums. Guided interpretative tours of the Holland Marsh, by appointment. Flowers-May to July, Tours-June to October.