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| Address: |
11242 WARDEN AVE |
| Original Address: |
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| Property Legal Description: |
CON 4 PT LOT 29 |
| Historical Name: |
summerfeldt-McKay House |
| Heritage Conservation District: |
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| Ward: |
2 |
| Year Built: |
c.1835, second storey c. 1875 |
| Architect Style: |
Gothic Revival, Ontario Classic |
| Heritage Status of Property: |
Listed |
| Designation Bylaw: |
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| Heritage Easement Agreement: |
No |
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History Description |
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This classic Ontario farmhouse stands on the east half of Markham Township Lot 29, Concession 4, north-east of the historic crossroads community of Victoria Square. Mark or Marcus Schell received the Crown patent for this lot in 1807. He was one of four German-speaking brothers who emigrated from New York State to Canada around the turn of the 19th century. He sold the eastern 100 acres to John Crow the same year that he received the patent. David Crown, possibly John’s son, sold to George Henry Summerfeldt in 1830. The Summerfeldts were a Berczy settler family. George Henry Summerfeldt lived on the family homestead on Lot 23, Concession 6, and purchased this property for his son, John Henry Summerfeldt. The first phase of construction of the existing farmhouse on the farm, constructed of adobe brick, is estimated to have been built by the Summerfeldts c.1835. This is one of only three adobe brick buildings remaining standing in Markham, the others being the first phase of the Heintzman House in Thornhill, and the Eckardt-Stiver Cottage in Unionville.
John H. Summerfeldt and his daughter Ellen died tragically in 1870 when their horse and carriage plunged into the mill pond in Buttonville. The remaining family members moved to Unionville, and lived at a property now known as 128 Main Street. In the mid-1870s, George McKay purchased the property though public auction. He was an English immigrant of Scottish ancestry that came to Canada in 1855 and was married Catherine Cook, born in Ontario. The McKay family improved the farmhouse by increasing the height of the second storey to create its existing form. George and Catherine McKay’s descendants were the owners until 1962.
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| Contemporary Photograph |
Heritage Photograph |
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Key Map
Please note that the yellow polygon symbol is not indicative of the actual heritage area and is only meant to highlight the property the heritage building(s) is located at. For a complete description of the actual heritage property please refer to the Designation Bylaw found above. |
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