Markham Village

Markham Village (2006 population 6,090) "(Census Tract No. 5350400.03 and 5350400.12)" is the historic city centre of Markham, Ontario, Canada. Originally settled in 1825, the village -- originally named "Reesorville" (reference to the Reesors settlers) sometime after 1804 and also known as "Mannheim" (likely after Mannheim) -- was a founded by Mennonites from Upstate New York and Pennsylvania. Eventually, as Upper Canada started to experience immigration from the British Isles, Markham would also experience such growth from Britain. By 1825, the name "Markham" was established as the permanent name. In 1850, the police village is created, but it does not include the villages of Unionville and Thornhill (which would later join in 1971 when the Town of Markham is created). The village becomes a police village in 1931. Markham Village was located within York County, Ontario (Upper Canada until 1840 and Canada West until 1867).
Population.
As of 2011, Census tract profile for 0400.07 (CT) currently has a population of 3397 compared to 3418 in 2006 (Census/NHS 2011, Census 2006). This decrease in population may have been due to issues affecting this area including the high costs of property or simply birth and death rates within the area. In addition, Markham's current economic expansions in both the public services (housing, construction, public services, etc.) and finances, it is forecast that Markham will see a population drop from those deciding to move away as a result of high priced real estate. It is currently estimated that a single family, detached home costs approximately one million Canadian dollars in Markham.
Markham Village Community Centre.
Markham Village Community Centre is located on the southeast corner of Main Street Markham and Highway 7 (Side Road Allowance). It was the former site of the Markham Fair and (William Armstrong's and later Robert Goodfellow Armstrong's) Wellington Hotel. The community centre features a library (c. 1981 and renovated 2009), community rooms (above rink) and indoor ice rink (c. 1963 with rink seating for 450 originally for hockey and now home to skating club). and drop off recycling centre. The community centre is configured on a north-south axis, where as the old Agricultural Hall was east-west with much of it now occupied by the current day parking lot.
Veterans Square and Cenotaph.
In the southwest corner of Markham Road and Highway 7 is the Markham Cenotaph. The area is used for annual Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Built in 1981 by Phillip Carter, the current memorial was re-vamped (2017-2018) with a new Veterans Square and Cenotaph which features an obelisk-like cenotaph and dedicated to the men and women who fought for Canada's freedom. An earlier memorial by Rebecca Sisler (c. 1967) was moved indoors into the community centre in 1996.
Main Street Markham Farmers’ Market.
From early May to early October a farmers market is set up along Robinson Street just west of Main Street. The market features local products and live entertainment and runs every Saturday from 8am to 1pm from May to October.
Education.
Markham Village is home to one of York Region's oldest schools. Opened as SS #17 in 1846 (later as SS #15), it became Markham Village Public School in 1886 and currently as Franklin Street Public School since early 1960s.
Transportation.
Public transit options are mostly limited by major arterial roads serving Markham Village:
There are two routes serving both Markham and Mount Joy GO Stations:
Three routes provides transit to students during school year with limited runs weekdays in the morning and afternoon:
Markham GO Station is the only stop on the Stouffville line within Markham Village. GO bus routes 54, 70A, 70C, 71C, 71E also has limited service to the station.
Markham Santa Claus Parade.
Markham Santa Claus Parade has been held in Markham Village in the month of November since 1972. The parade route begins just east of Main Street on Highway 7 and runs north along Main Street to 16th Avenue. The parade is hosted by Rotary Club of Markham and Markham-Unionville Rotary Club.