Cumberland - Estates in Ottawa, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Canadian National Railways Station (1908, Vars)
Gare de la Compagnie des chemins de fer nationaux du Canada (1908, Vars)
Photographed by Robert Rusaw, June 22, 2023
1. Canadian National Railways Station Marker
Canadian National Railways Station
Built by the Grand Trunk Railway, this station served the community of Vars until 1975. The railway gave birth to the community in the 1880s, when it was known as Bearbrook station, a stop on the Canadian Atlantic Railway line between Montreal and Ottawa.
Even after it was acquired by Canadian National Railways 1920, it retained its distinctive Grand Trunk, balloon-frame construction and use of board and batten, vertical shiplap and clapboard cladding.
Canadian National sold it to the Township of Cumberland for $1 and in 1976 it was moved to the Museum, becoming the first building to be located on the site. It now represents a stationmaster's office, including working telegraph equipment.
Construite par la Grand Trunk Rabeay Company of Canada, la gare a desservi la communauté de Vars jusqu'en 1975. C’est la venue du chemin de fer qui a donne naissance dans les années 1880 à cette collectivité, qui s'appelait alors Bearbrook Station et qui constituait un arrêt entre Montréal et Ottawa sur la ligne ferroviaire du Canadian Atlantic Railway.
Bien qu'il a été acquis par la Compagnie des chemins de fer nationaux du Canada dans les années 1920, le bâtiment a conserve son allure distinctive, typique de la Grand Trunk Railway Company, caractérisée par une charpente à claire-voie et l’utilisation de planches avec couvre-joints, de planches à feuillares verticales et d'un burdage à clins.
La Compagnie des chemins de fer nationaux du Canada a vendu la gare au Canton de Cumberland pour la somme de 1$. Le bâtiment a été transporté au Musée en 1976, devenant ainsi le tout premier edifice du site. Il représente actuellement le bureau de chef de gare et contient du matériel télégraphique toujours fonctionnel.
Erected by Cumberland
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location. 45° 31.068′ N, 75° 23.457′ W. Marker is in Ottawa, Ontario. It is in Cumberland - Estates. It can be reached from Chemin Old Montreal Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2940 Ch Old Montreal Rd, Ottawa ON K4C 1G2, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Knox United Church 1904, Vars (a few steps from this marker); Foubert House / Maison de Foubert (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Sentier Jean-Lapointe (1913-1977)
Photographed by Robert Rusaw, June 22, 2023
2. Canadian National Railways Station
More about this marker. This marker is located on the grounds of the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum.
Photographed by Robert Rusaw, June 22, 2023
3. Canadian National Railways Station Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2023, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. This page has been viewed 445 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on October 22, 2023, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 18, 2023, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
