Caledonia station (Caledonia, Ontario) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grand Trunk Railway Station (Caledonia, ON)
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Caledonia station in March 2019.
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| Location | 1 Grand Trunk Lane, Caledonia, Ontario Canada |
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| Coordinates | 43°04′41″N 79°57′05″W / 43.07806°N 79.95139°W | |
| Elevation | 212.5 | |
| Other information | ||
| Status | Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Information Centre | |
| Website | [1] | |
| History | ||
| Opened | 30 September 1908 | |
| Closed | September 1996 | |
| Rebuilt | November 1997 | |
| Former Services | ||
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The Caledonia railway station was built in 1908 by the Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada. It was the third train station to be built in Caledonia, Ontario. Today, it is no longer a working train station. Instead, it serves as a museum and a local information center.
Contents
History of Caledonia's Train Stations
Early Railway Days in Caledonia
Train services first came to Caledonia between 1852 and 1856. This was thanks to the Buffalo, Brantford and Goderich Railway (BB&G). A local leader named James Little worked hard to bring the railway line through Caledonia. He wanted it to pass through Caledonia instead of Cayuga.
The railway line connected Jarvis to Hamilton. It was soon extended all the way to Port Dover. Around 1860, a place called the 'Railway Hotel' opened. It was run by William Slater.
The First Two Stations
The very first train station in Caledonia was actually inside the Slater Hotel. This hotel was located on the north side of the Grand River. Sadly, this first station burned down in a fire around 1870.
As more and more trains passed through, the Grand Trunk Railway realized they needed a bigger station. So, around 1877, a new station was built in the same spot where the current station stands. But this second station also burned down on November 13, 1907. After this fire, plans were made for an even newer and larger station.
The 1907 fire also destroyed a grain elevator. This elevator had been built around 1867. A new elevator was built after the fire, but it also burned down in September 1996. It was never rebuilt.
The Grand Trunk Station (1908)
The new, bigger station was completed in 1908. It was designed to have a passenger waiting room, restrooms, and a freight room. It also had office spaces. People said the ticket counter was one of the best in the country!
The Grand Trunk Railway ran the station until 1923. That year, the Canadian National Railway (CN Rail) took over the building and all of Grand Trunk's operations.
Changes Under CN Rail
When CN Rail took over, they added more space for freight and maintenance. They also changed the station's look. The original beige and park green colors were covered with popular red "insul-brick."
CN Rail continued to use the station until October 1957. At that time, they stopped passenger train service to Caledonia and nearby towns like Cayuga and Port Dover. The last passenger train stopped in Caledonia on October 26, 1957.
Freight and parcel services continued until November 1977. After that, CN Rail used the station as a maintenance building until the mid-1980s. The building then started to fall apart.
Saving the Station
In August 1996, CN Rail announced they planned to tear down the station. They also wanted to sell the land it stood on. However, a local person named Ron Clark bought the station. He then gave it to the Special Projects Committee of the Caledonia & Regional Chamber of Commerce. This group formed the Grand Trunk Station Society to take care of the building.
A lot of hard work went into fixing up the station. They put in new foundations and a new roof. They also brought back the original beige and park green colors from the Grand Trunk era. The newly restored station officially opened on November 27, 1997. This was just 14 months after the restoration work began!
The Station Today
Today, the restored station is a special place. It houses a Grand Trunk Railway Museum, where you can learn about its history. It also has offices for the Caledonia & Regional Chamber of Commerce. Plus, there's a meeting room for local community organizations.
Images for kids
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Caledonia station in March 2019.
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Caledonia station around 1905.
