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Henry Wilson was a successful general merchant in Markham Village. In 1887, Henry and Clementine Wilson purchased this property and a fine buff brick house was constructed for them in 1888, as noted in an article in the Markham Economist in November of that year. A frame general store was located on the north side of the house, attached by a small link. On the second floor of the store was a milliner and dress shop. Wilson’s Variety Hall was relocated to the Markham Museum in the mid-1980s and restored after serving as a garage and storage building for a number of years after it was moved back on the property. In 1917, the property was purchased by Dr. John A. MacDonald to serve as his residence and medical office. An addition was made to the rear of the house in 1918 to contain the office. His daughter, Innis MacDonald, was one of the first women in Canada to earn a medical degree. She took over the family practice in 1945. Dr. Innis MacDonald was a noted eye specialist. She lived here and had her practice in this house until she passed away in 1983. |