Prescott in Leeds and Grenville United Counties, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Bytown and Prescott Railway Company 1850
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2014
1. Bytown and Prescott Railway Company 1850 Marker
Inscription.
Bytown and Prescott Railway Company 1850. . This company, incorporated in 1850, built a railway from Prescott to Bytown (Ottawa) for the shipment of lumber and farm products to markets of the north-eastern United States and Montreal. Substantial funds were raised at Bytown, Prescott and other municipalities along the line. In 1851 Walter Shanly, Chief Engineer, started construction, and a train first ran from Prescott to Bytown on Christmas Day, 1854. The railway, renamed the Ottawa and Prescott in 1855, was the first to serve the nation’s future capital, giving it access to Prescott and to the St. Lawrence River and the Grand Trunk Railway. In 1867 it became the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Railway and in 1884 was leased to the Canadian Pacific Railway for 999 years.
This company, incorporated in 1850, built a railway from Prescott to Bytown (Ottawa) for the shipment of lumber and farm products to markets of the north-eastern United States and Montreal. Substantial funds were raised at Bytown, Prescott and other municipalities along the line. In 1851 Walter Shanly, Chief Engineer, started construction, and a train first ran from Prescott to Bytown on Christmas Day, 1854. The railway, renamed the Ottawa and Prescott in 1855, was the first to serve the nation’s future capital, giving it access to Prescott and to the St. Lawrence River and the Grand Trunk Railway. In 1867 it became the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Railway and in 1884 was leased to the Canadian Pacific Railway for 999 years.
Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historical Sites Board.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 44° 42.735′ N, 75° 30.47′ W. Marker is in Prescott, Ontario, in Leeds and Grenville United Counties. Marker is on King Street East (County Route 2) close to Russel Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 351 King Street East, Prescott ON K0E 1T0, Canada. Touch for directions.
2. Bytown and Prescott Railway Company 1850 Marker
Fort Wellington in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 375 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 19, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
