![]() |
![]() |
CNR Railway Station - HISTORIC OVERVIEW OF SITE |
![]() BIBLIOGRAPHY ![]() SITE CONTENTS ![]() LOCATION MAP ![]() MEASURED DRAWINGS ![]() TEACHER'S CORNER ![]() ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION ![]() DESIGN TEAM ![]() HOME ![]() |
![]() |
One of the most important architectural types in Canada is the railway station. For many years it was the center of social activity, the starting point of growth for small Canadian towns. Over more recent years, railway stations have lost their importance as train travel has declined and routes are closed. Although the value and use of stations have decreased, these buildings play a significant role in the architectural history of Canada and the history of industrial growth.
In 1871, British Columbia joined the Confederation of Canada in hopes of increasing the line of exporting goods. When the province joined the Confederation, it was promised that a railroad would be built within ten years(Ian Baird. An Historical Guide to Canadian Pacific Railway Stations in British Columbia. p. 9). However, due to unsuccessful government funding and political disagreements, the beginnings of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) did not appear in B.C. until 1884. During the early years of the CPR, railway stations were temporary structures, adopting the design of boxcars, but without wheels (J. Edward Martin. Railway Stations of Western Canada. p. 7). They were small buildings divided into three sections. These included a tiny room for the agent, an office, and a waiting area located between the two. Outside a wooden platform greeted passengers, while a second boxcar was used for baggage. In the growing years of the CPR, from 1875-1900, the rail road station evolved from the small "boxcar" to a building that had many different architectural styles and characteristics. These characteristics often reflected a regional distinctiveness.
In the late 19th century, grand hotels accompanied extravagant railway terminals. In places as Winnipeg and Vancouver, the rail station hotels were one city block long and as tall as seven storeys. Throughout Canada, the Chateaux style became the main architectural style for grand scale railway terminals and government buildings until 1937(J. Edward Martin. Railway Stations of Western Canada. p. 14).
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Last updated 31 August 1998. This digital collection was produced under contract to the Canada's Digital Collections Program, Industry Canada. Produced by Canada's Digital Collections Team. Content provided by BC Heritage Trust and Heritage Branch, Province of British Columbia. |
![]() |