NewmarketToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication).
Re: One of Newmarket's oldest buildings is up for sale, Nov. 20, 2024; 'Wilful neglect?': Family shocked at condition of history Newmarket home, Nov. 5, 2024.
As I follow the saga of the heritage properties either removed or left in limbo, I am reminded of the grand scheme that was planned back in the early 1970s for a Newmarket Heritage Park behind Staples on Yonge Street, off Dawson Manor Drive.
Much like the excellent Heritage Park in Markham, this scheme was intended to provide a place where heritage buildings could be moved to preserve them for posterity and to release the valuable land where they sat for housing and other infrastructure projects.
One of the homes that was to be moved to this new heritage park back then was Dawson Manor, also known as the Dawson House, which is an historic building constructed in the late 19th century that was designated due to its architectural style and association with prominent local figures. A second heritage property, The Ballard House, was also to be moved to this reserved area at approximately the same time.
The heritage park was envisioned as a project to preserve and showcase Newmarket’s historical buildings and heritage. The project initially involved relocating several historic structures to the park to create a heritage village.
While some buildings were saved, the broader vision for a heritage park faced several challenges, as I recall, and much of the land was eventually sold off for development in the 1970s.
We were able to relocate some heritage properties for repurposing, however, so many more have fallen through the cracks. Just think how terrific it would be to be able to move the Bogart House, Luesby Memorial or one of our other heritage properties to a heritage area, freeing up the land upon which they sit for housing, while preserving our heritage in a caring and efficient way.
One can only dream!
Richard MacLeod, The History Hound
Newmarket
