The Pugwash station is a former inter-city railway station building in the community of Pugwash, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was operated by Canadian National Railway, and now houses a branch of the Cumberland Regional Library[1] and the North Cumberland Historical Society.[2][3][4]
Pugwash Railway Station | |
|---|---|
 Circa 1940 | |
| General information | |
| Location | 10222 Durham Street Pugwash, NS |
| Coordinates | 45°50′59″N 63°39′38″W / 45.84975°N 63.66068°W |
| Line(s) | Canadian National Railway |
| Construction | |
| Structure type | Gothic Revival-style, 1+1⁄2-storey heritage railway station building |
| History | |
| Opened | October 30, 1890 |
| Closed | 1970s |
| Previous names | Canadian National Railway, Intercolonial Railway |
| Type | Provincially Registered Property |
| Designated | 2009 |
| Type | Municipally Registered Property |
| Designated | 1996 |
History edit
On September 18, 1882, the town of Pugwash celebrated the commencement of work on the railway in Pugwash. The commencement of work there with special ceremonies presided over by Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Wilson a leading citizen with a "sod-turning ceremony". The station was designed by Sir Sandford Fleming, the Scottish-born engineer notable for successfully promoting standard time, and it was built by Rhodes, Curry & Co.[5] The first passengers to arrive via railway to Pugwash was a group of Cumberland County school teachers, October 28, 1890.[6]
It is built of brick and is described as "restrained gothic style, two stories, cross gable roof with 6 hip gable dormers and decorative faces".[2] The railway station was listed on September 11, 1996, as a Municipally Registered Property under the Heritage Property Act, and as a Provincially Registered Property under the same statute in 2009.[4][7][5] The Pugwash railway station is one of only two stations designed by Fleming still standing in Nova Scotia.[8] The station is also famous for its part in the Thinkers Conference. Pugwash native Cyrus Eaton used the station to transport and house those who attended conference.[9]
Fires of 1926 and 1929 edit
The devastating fires of 1926 and 1929 destroyed the pugwash hotels, so luxury railcars were parked at the station and used as accommodations.[9]
References edit
- ^ "Pugwash Branch". Cumberland Public Libraries. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ a b "North Cumberland Historical Society". North Cumberland Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2012-10-01. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ "Pugwash Train Station". The Nova Scotia Historic Places Initiative. Archived from the original on 2012-12-17. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ a b Pugwash Train Station (Municipally Registered Property). Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ a b "Canadian Historical Places". Retrieved April 19, 2013.
- ^ Smith, James F. (1978). The History of Pugwash. Nova Scotia Canada: The North Cumberland Historical Society. p. 142, 131. ISBN 9780920784051.
- ^ Pugwash Train Station. Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved Provincially Registered Property.
- ^ "Pugwash Village Services". Village of Pugwash. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
- ^ a b "Plaque unveiled at Pugwash Train Station". Tatamagouche Light. 1996. Retrieved April 21, 2013.