Newmarket ready to designate three properties under Ontario Heritage Act

YorkRegion.com
Nov. 11, 2016
Chris Simon

Three more Newmarket properties may be given historical designation.

On Monday, council is expected to designate three sites under the Ontario Heritage Act. The properties are 379 Botsford Dr., 411 Millard Ave. and 17030 Yonge St.

Known as the Quaker Meeting House property, 17030 Yonge St. is an active place of worship for the Yonge Street Religious Society of Friends, also known as the Quakers. It has been in continuous use since the early 1800s. Part of the property, the meeting house itself, has already been designated by the municipality — so this step ensures the remainder of the site is protected, said town development and infrastructure services commissioner Peter Noehammer.

The site was built by members of the Society of Friends, who emigrated from Pennsylvania after 1800 under the leadership of Timothy Rogers. Their Yonge Street settlement was the third Quaker community established in Upper Canada (Ontario) and led to the future development of the Town of Newmarket.

All three sites are being designated at the request of the property owners, Noehammer said.