Cultural Landmarks of Hamilton-Wentworth

Canadian National Railway Station (C.N.R.)

Location: 360 James Street North, Hamilton, Ontario

Sir John A. Macdonald felt that the installation of railway from sea to sea would bring all of the provinces together to create a unified Canada. In fact, the issue of railway service throughout Canada became a central issue of Canadian Confederation. Many provinces like British Columbia, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island agreed to enter confederation on the condition that the Federal Government would build a railway that would connect them to the rest of Canada and its industrial core. Thus, railways were a crucial aspect of Canadian Confederation. Today, the Trans-Canada rail is the largest in the world, and has helped to develop the industries of many cities including Hamilton, Ontario.

The construction of the rail was a difficult and at times, a dangerous task. Many men died in the Canadian Rockies while blasting tunnels through the mountains so that the trains could pass through them. The rails that had been completed by 1900 were quite successful in transporting commodities and passengers. Private funding for the railroad ended between 1910 and 1919. Many of the railway companies were experiencing significant financial difficulties, therefore, the Canadian Government stepped in and purchased many railways including the Canadian Northern Railway(CNR). They appointed a Board of Directors, which was given jurisdiction over the fifteen Canadian Government railways a year later. The main railways were the Intercolonial, National Transcontinental, Hudson Bay Railway, and the Prince Edward Island Railway. On June 6, 1919, the Canadian Parliament passed an act that incorporating the Canadian National Railway(CNR) as a means to save many of the failing Canadian rail lines. Mr. Hanna was first appointed president of the CNR.

The newly established company, CNR acquired the Grand Trunk Pacific line the following year. The success of the railway was astonishing. It went from being worth $4,000,000 in deficit during 1920, to an excess of $47,321.44 in profits one year later. Sir Henry Thornton, was appointed the new president of the CNR on October 10, 1922. The new railway line went on to purchase the Grand Trunk Railway in 1923.

During Thornton’s reign, a new CNR building was constructed in Hamilton. The location chosen for the new station was on James Street North and Murray, with the main entrance situated on Murray Street. The building was to be two stories high, 290 feet long and 83 wide. It was built in the Greek revival tradition with 4 large stone Doric pillars that supported the facade of the building. Between the pillars were three stone carved scenes of  two locomotives and one ship. To the left and right of the facade were two stone carved wreaths. The building had "Canadian National Railways" carved in the centre of the facade. There were three main entrance doorways in the front of the stone station and the roof was made of copper.

The previous station had been the Grand Trunk Railway in Hamilton built in 1875. Its location was along Stewart Street in the north end of Hamilton. The station ceased to exist after 1931 when it was torn down after the line into Hamilton was sold to the Canadian National.

The first official day of operation for the CNR rail service in Hamilton was Friday, February 20, 1931, when a train left the James Street North railway station. During the early 1930’s, CNR train service in Hamilton employed over 10,000 people which was a significant percentage of the population, noting that there were only 125,000 residents in the city.

In early 1952, the CNR decided to extend their lines to meet the need of increased rail traffic. Three tracks were installed in Hamilton at a cost of $330,000. Once these rails were constructed between Kenilworth and Parkdale, there was a total of fourteen tracks. The purpose of the new rails was to boost economic and industrial growth in Hamilton. The economic benefits were to be enjoyed by both the city and the rail company. Many economists linked Hamilton’s industrial and economic growth during the 1950’s to their connection with the CNR.

On March 26, 1961, the CNR changed its name to the Canadian National(CN) and its new logo is unveiled. On April 1, 1978, Via Rail purchased all of CN’s rail passenger cars.

By 1992, the James Street North CN station was being used by Government Ontario (GO). Eventually, GO abandoned the station until it was used for a movie in 1996. On October 10, 1996, filming began on a Geena Davis movie, The Long Kiss Goodnight. At the time, it was the most expensive film ever made in Canada, costing $95,000,000. CN received $1,000,000 (US) to restore the building for the movie. A crew of 35 was hired from local unions to plaster, paint, and fix the roof. Nina Chapple, an architectural historian with the Hamilton Heritage Planning Department applauded the restoration, because she believed that other agencies including the Architectural Conservation Community would not have been able to raise such a substantial amount of capital for the project.  The station is in the process of being sold to a local developer, who plans to build office space and some type of entertainment and banquet facility. The closing date for the sale will be in late 1998. The rails surrounding the building have been recently removed.

The Canadian National Railway was a significant factor in Hamilton’s development and industrialisation. The CNR rail service provided Hamilton with the access to other markets which substantially increased its ability to import and export goods nationally and internationally. It also employed a significant number of Hamilton residents. The CNR station is a historical and cultural landmark which still stands today as a reminder of the importance of rail service in Hamilton.

References:
Adams, Lawrence. The Guide to Canada’s Railway Heritage: Museums and Attractions. North Kildonan Publications: Winnipeg, 1983.