Markham Village is the historic city centre of Markham, Ontario, Canada. Originally settled in 1825, the village -- originally named "Reesorville" sometime after 1804 and also known as "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. The village becomes a police village in 1931. Markham Village was located within York County, Ontario.
Population
As of 2011, Census tract profile for 0400.07 currently has a population of 3397 compared to 3418 in 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 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 is located on the southeast corner of Main Street Markham and Highway 7. It was the former site of the Markham Fair and Wellington Hotel. The community centre features a library, community rooms and indoor ice rink. 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 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 was moved indoors into the community centre in 1996.
Main Street Markham Farmers’ Market
From early May to early October a 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, 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:
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.
