Port Stanley in Elgin County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The London and Port Stanley Railroad
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Le Chemin de Fer London and Port Stanley
Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 27, 2024
1. The London and Port Stanley Railroad Marker
After the Great Western Railway reached London in 1853, local businessmen and politicians began promoting a competitive line south to Lake Erie. The London and Port Stanley Railway began operations in 1856. Like most early Canadian railways, it was expensive to build and difficult to pay off, but if contributed enormously to the local economy. Its main business was shipping coal from Pennsylvania and carrying tourists to and from the lakeshore. The City of London gained control of the L.& P.S.R. in 1894 and converted it to electricity in 1915, The line prospered, carrying more freight and over a million passengers in some years before the Depression. The increased use of the automobile in the 1950s brought about its decline.
Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation
Après l'arrivée du chemin de fer Great Western à London en 1853, des hommes d'affaires et des politiciens locaux encour ragent la construction d'une ligne concurrente vers le lac Erie. Le London and Port Stanley voit le jour en 1856. Comme la plupart des chemins de fer canadiens de lépoque, sa construction est très coûteuse mais il contribue énormément à l'économie locale. Sa fonction principale est le transport du charbon de Pennsylvanie et des touristes qui vont au lac La ville de London prend contrôle du chemin de fer en 1894 et le convertit à l'électricité en 1913. La compagnie prospère transportant marchandises et jusqu'à plus dun million de passagers par an avant la Dépression. La popularité de l'automobile dans les années 1950 cause son déclin.
Fondation du patrimoine ontarien, Ministère de la Culture, du Tourisme et des Loisirs
Erected by Ontario
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 42° 39.901′ N, 81° 12.868′ W. Marker is in Port Stanley, Ontario, in Elgin County. It is on Bridge Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 309 Bridge Street, Port Stanley ON N5L 1C5, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area and in Southwestern 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 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bridges (within shouting distance of this
Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 27, 2024
2. The London and Port Stanley Railroad / Le Chemin de Fer London and Port Stanley Marker
Also see . . . A Brief history of the L&PS and PSTR. Port Stanley Terminal rail website entry:
In 1913 the City of London, who owned the line, chose to assume its operation. Adam Beck, the influential promoter of Hydro Electric power from Niagara Falls and mayor of London at the time, rebuilt the line into a modern high-speed electric operation. Smoke free electric trains enticed excursionists to travel to Port Stanley, where passengers could enjoy the L&PS amusement park, swim in a rented bathing suit from the L&PS bath house, dine in the L&PS cafeteria, or(Submitted on August 2, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)dance under the stars at the L&PS Pavilion. The Pavilion, later known as the Stork Club, was renowned for top name entertainment, with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and London’s own Guy Lombardo frequently heading the list of performers.Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 27, 20243. The London and Port Stanley Railroad / Le Chemin de Fer London and Port Stanley Marker
Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 27, 2024
4. The London and Port Stanley Railroad (Port Stanley Station and Rolling Stock)
1930
5. The London and Port Stanley Railroad, 1930
6. The London and Port Stanley Railroad at Port Stanely, 1900s
(Public domain)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 211 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 2, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
