Markdale was first settled in the mid 1800's. It is said that the village was named in honour of one of it's prominent early settlers, Mark Armstrong, whose family organized and established a veneer plant, furniture and cheese box factories and a foundry. By the time the village was incorporated in 1888, it had become what the village's own website refers to as "a thriving business centre which included 3 churches, a school, a bank, a wagon shop and a drug store". In 2001 became part of the amalgamated Municipality of Grey Highlands.
Attractive parks, a vibrant main street which plays host to street festivals in both the summer and winter, a lovely Ontario Early Years facility for youngsters, a golf and country club as well as a beautifully modern senior's residence and plans for a new and improved hospital, all help to make Markdale a truly great location for a home, or a home-away-from-home.
Markdale is home to a Terra Footwear factory outlet, the Barrhead Saw Mill (still on it's original Rocky Saugeen River site) and Chapman's Ice Cream which naturally led to the establishment of the village's annual Ice Cream Festival. Other favourite events include July's Rotary Street Frolic, an Antique Car Show, the Fall Fair (usually held in late August), and a pre-Christmas Midnight Madness along Main Street in December.
A Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Information booth is open during the spring and summer at the Old Fire Hall on Highway 10, just past the TD Bank. |