Markdale, Ontario

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Historic fire station in Markdale

Markdale (population 1,325) is a community in the Municipality of Grey Highlands, in Grey County, Ontario, Canada.

19th century

Markdale was first settled in 1846 and originally called East Glenelg, after a nearby township. In 1864, it was renamed Cornabus after the Islay, Scotland hometown of then-postmaster Donald MacDuffie (1814–1892). In 1873, Mark Armstrong sold land to the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway on the condition that the station bear his name. Unlike nearby Flesherton, which had failed to prosper after the railway by-passed it, the new railway station brought new business to Markdale. It was incorporated as a village in 1888.

Twentieth century

In 1957, the Regal Films production of the 1958 "B" film, Wolf Dog, starring Allison Hayes and Jim Davis, was filmed on location in Markdale as well as nearby Holland Township.

Twenty-first century

In 2001, Markdale was amalgamated with the townships of Artemesia, Euphrasia and Osprey to form Grey Highlands.

On August 20, 2009, an F2 tornado originating in Durham, where it caused one fatality, touched down in Markdale as an F0 and caused local damage.

Present day

Markdale is home to several industries including Chapman's Ice Cream and Medike Leather Products. Public services include an Ontario Provincial Police detachment, fire department, 14-bed Centre Grey Hospital, public library, arena and community centre, curling and golf club.

There are several annual festivities, including the Rotary Club's Street Frolic in July, and the Agricultural Society's Markdale Fall Fair in late August.

The village was a charter member of the Central Ontario Hockey League and participated at the senior and junior levels under several nicknames, including Markdale Majors. Currently, the Grey Highlands Bravehearts of the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League play out of the Centre Grey Recreation Complex.

Notable personalities

• Ottawa Senators Forward Chris Neil was born at the Centre Grey General Hospital in Markdale on June 18, 1979.

• Sir William Mulock, PC (UK), PC (Can), KCMG, QC (January 19, 1843 – October 1, 1944), Canadian lawyer, businessman, educator, farmer, politician, judge, and philanthropist, purchased a *Markdale, Ontario farm in 1926 that he used for trout fishing and reforestation.

External links

• Municipality of Grey Highlands
• Read the Markdale Standard from 1880-1951 online