Charlottetown in Queens County, Prince Edward Island — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
The Once Great Island Railroad
Un chemin de fer jadis florissant
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 16, 2019
1. The Once Great Island Railroad Marker
The railway played a major role in shaping Canada and it played an important role in the development of Prince Edward Island. The sod was turned for the PEI Railway on October 5, 1871 just north east of where you are standing. The tracks were laid from Alberton in the west to Georgetown in the east. Construction of branch lines, cost over runs and much politics forced the colony into Confederation on July 1, 1873. You are presently standing on what were once rail yards.
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A Charlottetown map showing where the train station and repair shop once stood.
Le chemin de fer a joué un rôle majeur dans la formation du Canada ainsi qu'un rôle important dans le développement de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard. La première pelletée de terre du chemin de fer PEI Railway a été levée le 5 octobre 1871, juste au nord-est d'où vous vous trouvez présentement. Les rails reliaient Alberton, dans l'ouest à Georgetown dans l'est. La construction de lignes secondaires, le dépassement des coûts et l'ingérence politique ont forcé la colonie à se joindre à la Confédération
this page online
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Une carte de Charlottetown qui montre l'ancien emplacement de la gare et des ateliers ferroviaires.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is October 5, 1871.
Location. 46° 14.475′ N, 63° 6.881′ W. Marker is in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in Queens County. Marker is at the intersection of Grafton Street and Water Street (Prince Edward Island Route 1), on the right when traveling east on Grafton Street. Marker is located in the "Welcome to Charlottetown" plaza at the southwest corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charlottetown PE C1A 1M1, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A River of Importance (here, next to this marker); Beginnings of a Settlement (here, next to this marker); Transportation from Tip-to-Tip (here, next to this marker); Choices For Higher Education (here, next to this marker); Open Green Spaces in the City (here, next to this marker); Keeping the City Green (here, next to this marker); Preserving Our History (here, next to this marker); Site of a Historic Photo (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottetown.
Related markers.
2. Marker detail: Train Yard on the Charlottetown Waterfront
Also see . . . Prince Edward Island Railway (Wikipedia). Construction began in 1871 but costs almost bankrupted the government by the next year, a problem that helped pave PEI's entrance into Confederation. The work was picked up by the Canadian Government Railways and largely completed by the mid-1880s. The PEIR saw heavy use, especially during World War II, but like many railways saw declining use through the 1970s. The line officially closed on 31 December 1989 and the rails removed between 1990 and 1992. (Submitted on May 13, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Marker detail: An early engine which rode the tracks of PEI
les rails de I'Î.-P.-É.
4. Marker detail: Train Turntable
Un carrousel autrefois situé sur la rive de Charlottetown.
5. Marker detail: Repair Shop
L'atelier ferroviaire maintenant les trains en état de marche.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 16, 2019
6. The Once Great Island Railroad Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 212 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 13, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
