Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About My Ancestor's Roots in Markham, and Kingston, Ontario, Canada

I have two more ancestors who were from Ontario Canada, my second great-grandpa Badgerow and my second great grandpa Cooper - after them, I have a LOT of ancestors from Quebec! It is possible my ancestor, David Francis Badgerow was related to George Washington Badgerow - both were born in Markham Township, Ontario, and George was a well-known lawyer and a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of York East from 1879 to 1886. He later served as the Crown Attorney for Toronto and York County. I do not know if they were related, but since Badgerow is a unique name, they may have been cousins. At any rate, this is what I learned about Markham and Kingston, Ontario, Canada from the time my ancestors lived there until now . . .

Markham and Kingston, Ontario, represent two completely distinct paths of development over the last two centuries. While Kingston began the 1820s as a vital, heavily fortified military and commercial capital before stabilizing into an institutional hub, Markham spent over a century as a quiet collection of farming villages before exploding into a massive, modern tech metropolis.

Here is a parallel look at how both cities transformed from the 1820s to today:

The 1820s to 1840s: Strategic Stronghold vs. Rural Pioneers

• Kingston: By the 1820s, Kingston was already one of Upper Canada's most critical strategic settlements. Following the War of 1812, the British military invested heavily in its defense, culminating in the construction of Fort Henry and the Rideau Canal (completed in 1832 by thousands of Irish laborers). Its growing political and economic status peaked when it was named the first capital of the United Province of Canada from 1841 to 1844. The city's iconic neoclassical Kingston City Hall was built during this brief golden era. 
• Markham: In stark contrast, Markham in the 1820s was a heavily forested agricultural frontier. Originally settled primarily by Pennsylvania German Mennonites—who established the village of Reesorville (renamed Markham Village in 1825)—it began seeing a heavy influx of British Isles immigrants during this era. The local economy was purely agrarian, relying on the Rouge and Don rivers to power sawmills, grist mills, and wool factories. 

The Mid-19th to Early 20th Century: The Limestone City vs. Atrophy and Farming

• Kingston: Fearing its close proximity to the American border made it vulnerable to invasion, the colonial government moved the capital away from Kingston in 1844. However, Kingston remained highly prosperous. Extensive quarrying of local Ordovician bedrock gave rise to a stunning array of stone buildings, earning it the nickname "The Limestone City". It established a permanent identity as an institutional epicenter: Queen's University was founded in 1841, the infamous maximum-security Kingston Penitentiary became fully functional, and heavy industries like the Canadian Locomotive Company thrived along its busy shipping waterfront. 
• Markham: In 1871, the Toronto and Nipissing Railway arrived in Markham, triggering a brief industrial boom of wagon works, tanneries, and furniture factories. However, by the dawn of the 20th century, Markham's localized manufacturing could no longer compete with the massive industrial factories in neighboring Toronto. Local businesses closed down, and Markham Township largely atrophied back into a quiet, rural farming community for the next several decades. 

Post-WWII to Present: Institutional Hub vs. High-Tech Capital

• Kingston: Following WWII, Kingston’s economy diversified into healthcare, military operations (via CFB Kingston), and tourism. Today, Kingston retains its 19th-century historic charm, relying heavily on its academic institutions (Queen's, Royal Military College, St. Lawrence College), medical facilities, and vibrant cultural tourism. Its population stands at roughly 132,000 residents, functioning as a highly stable, heritage-preserved regional anchor. 
• Markham: Markham underwent one of the most drastic transformations in Canadian history. Driven by post-war suburban sprawl from Toronto and the opening of Highway 404 in the 1970s, its farmland rapidly disappeared under residential developments. Rebranding itself as "Canada's High-Tech Capital," Markham became a massive corporate hub. It is now home to major multinational tech headquarters, including IBM, AMD, and Honda. Formally incorporated as a city in 2012, Markham’s population has surged to over 338,000, characterized by an incredibly diverse, multicultural demographic (with East Asian and South Asian communities comprising the vast majority).

Direct Comparison Overview

Metric / Attribute	Kingston, Ontario	Markham, Ontario
Historical Vibe	"The Limestone City"; Canada's first capital.	A collection of German/Mennonite farming hamlets.
Economic Shifts	Military/Shipbuilding → Education, Healthcare, and Corrections.	Farming/Mills → Quiet rural dormancy → Massive technology hub.
Architectural Heritage	19th-century stone fortifications, historic downtown, Martello towers.	Preserved pockets like historic Unionville and Markham Village surrounded by modern suburbia.
Modern Status	Medium-sized, culturally rich university and institutional city.	Large, hyper-diverse, rapidly growing tech epicenter within the Greater Toronto Area.

Markham and Kingston areas of Ontario, Canada sound like they are interesting and beautiful places - I would enjoy seeing them for myself! You will find more information about Markham at this link, and Kingston at this link.