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| Address: |
53 MAIN ST S |
| Original Address: |
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| Property Legal Description: |
CON 8 PT LOT 9 |
| Historical Name: |
Johnston-Barker House |
| Heritage Conservation District: |
Markham Village |
| Ward: |
4 |
| Year Built: |
c. 1828 |
| Architect Style: |
Georgian Tradition, Vernacular |
| Heritage Status of Property: |
Part IV (Individual) |
| Designation Bylaw: |
211-79 |
| Heritage Easement Agreement: |
No |
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History Description |
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Known as Markham’s First Post Office, this frame dwelling is probably the earliest remaining building in Markham Village. In 1828, business partners James Johnston and Archibald Barker negotiated the purchase of Clergy Reserve Lot 9, Concession 8 from the Crown. A document on file at the Markham Museum, dated 1835, indicates the payment of an installment for the purchase. However, their purchase fell through and it was the Honorable Peter McGill who received the Crown patent in 1842. It was not until 1844 that Archibald Barker became the owner of this property. The building at 53 Main Street South was therefore constructed prior to the formal purchase of the property by Johnston or Barker. Markham’s first post office was established in the south half of this frame house, adjacent to where Mill Street passed by as it meandered back to Main Street. James Johnston served as post-master from 1829 to 1832, followed by Archibald Barker who served from 1832 to 1862, and again from 1874 to 1881. The house and post office now addressed 53 Main Street South was shown on Markham Village Plan 18 (1850). In 1844, Barker purchased a property just north of his residence and a substantial brick building containing commercial space was later constructed there, to become the post office to replace the space within his private residence. Anthony Forster, writing in the Markham Economist and Sun in 1923, described the store and post office being in the building next door. He noted that in 1866, the post office moved north, to the general store operated by Archibald Barker’s son, James. Census records indicate that Archibald Baker and his wife, Elizabeth, continued to live in the former Johnston residence even after the brick building now addressed 29 James Walker Court was built. In addition to being a merchant and post-master, Barker was a notary public, Justice of the Peace, early owner of the Glen Rouge Mill and a significant land owner. He also served on Markham Township Council from 1861 to 1865. He died in 1881. |
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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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