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 Visitors Information Centre - St. Stephen, NB Posted by:  T0SHEA
N 45° 11.566 W 067° 16.525
19T E 635466 N 5005811
A typical chateau style CPR station, the St. Stephen depot had what was a comparatively short life as a railway depot, yet continues to serve the community in a high profile capacity.
Waymark Code: WMPTQG
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Date Posted: 10/19/2015
Views: 2
Patterned after a hundred other CPR railway stations across the country, St. Stephen's is easily recognized as a CPR station. Its life as a railway station spanned only 31 years, from the time of its construction in 1929 to 1960. The CPR continued to occupy the station until 1969, at which time it was purchased by the town of St. Stephen and used as a library until 1999. In that year it was again repurposed and became the St. Stephen Visitors Information Centre, an excellent use to which a great many railway stations have been put. It remains in that role today, we suppose at least in part due to its location, on the edge of downtown and right on the highway as it passes through town.
Former Canadian Pacific Railway Station
DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE
The Former Canadian Pacific Railway Station is a long, single-storey Craftsman style railway station building featuring an overhanging roof and a flush gable on the front façade. It is located on King Street in St. Stephen.
HERITAGE VALUE
The Former Canadian Pacific Railway Station is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for the various ways in which it has served the community.
The Former Canadian Pacific Railway Station is recognized for being a good example of the Craftsman style of architecture employed by railways throughout Canada during the late-19th century and early-20th century. This station was built in 1929 by the Robert Ed. Company, general contractors, Moncton, New Brunswick, to replace the old station that was erected following the fire of 1877. The old station at the time was the head office for the New Brunswick and Canada Railroad and was one of the oldest stations on this division of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The current single-storey building is made of brick and stone, the upper portion of brick being covered with stucco finish and the lower part featuring three feet of native granite. The traditionally long and low building exhibits features that reflect the more grandiose architecture of earlier Chateau-style stations. These features include a steeply-pitched flush gable on the front façade and the multi-levelled hipped roofs.
The Former Canadian Pacific Railway Station is also recognized for its role as a transportation hub in the community. The station served the community for thirty-one years. On April 14th, 1960, Engine #986 was the last train to leave St. Stephen for McAdam, New Brunswick. The Engineer was George Anderson and the Conductor was Denny McGee. The Canadian Pacific Railway continued to occupy the building until 1969.
The Former Canadian Pacific Railway Station continued to serve the community after its use by the Canadian Pacific Railway. The Town of St. Stephen acquired the building and opened the St. Croix Public Library in 1971. The library moved to new quarters in 1999 and the building is now occupied by a provincial Visitors Information Centre.
CHARACTER-DEFINING ELEMENTS
- single-storey long rectangular plan;
- stone quoins, window headers, sills and foundation wall;
- heavy knee braces under a wide overhanging eave;
- central projecting bay with a steep gable roof and flush eaves;
- lancet, rectangular and segmented arch windows, mostly multi-light;
- stucco wall covering;
- square stone chimney;
- multi-level hipped roof.
From Historic Places Canada
Public Washrooms: Mens, Womens, Family and Handicapped
Snacks/Drinks at the facility: No - Look elsewhere
Hours of Operation: Not listed
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