Barrie in Simcoe County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Allandale Railway Station
Flagship of the Grand Trunk Railway
| | Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024
1. Allandale Railway Station Marker
In 1853, the Ontario, Simcoe & Huron railway line opened between Toronto and Allandale. "Oats, Straw and Hay" became the Northern Railway and in 1888 the Grand Trunk Railway.
As the northern divisional headquarters, Allandale was a hub of railway activity. Under the supervision of the Master Mechanic, steam powered locomotives were serviced in the machine shop and massive roundhouse.
In 1905, the GTR had a new station built in a shape that curved to follow the shoreline of Kempenfelt Bay. The passenger depot with its lighted tower was linked by breezeways to an elegant restaurant and an existing brick office building. The area was landscaped with gardens.
Canadian National Railway took over the GTR and used the Allandale station until passenger service declined in the 1980s and the site was sold. This historic station is part of Barrie's railway heritage.
Erected by The Barrie Historical Association and The City of Barrie.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 44° 22.462′ N, 79° 41.164′ W.
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Regionally, this marker is in Central Ontario Cottage Country and specifically in Georgian Bay Country. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: An Independent Village (within shouting distance of this marker); Train Town Kids (within shouting distance of this marker); Living in a Company Town (within shouting distance of this marker); Housing Shortages (within shouting distance
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024
2. Allandale Railway Station Marker
Looking southwest across Lakeshore Drive. The historic Allandale Railway Station is visible in the right background.
Also see . . . Allandale Waterfront GO Station (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The Ontario, Simcoe and Huron Union Railway (OS&HUR) first built a station here in 1853. Four historic stations were built on this site, the last of which still stands. It was built in 1904 and opened by then-operator Grand Trunk Railway on 19 June 1905. The station was used by Grand Trunk and later Canadian National Railway, Ontario Northland, and Via Rail until closing in 1980.(Submitted on May 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
The station buildings comprise a federally designated heritage railway station protected by the Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act. The Italianate structures are near the southwest shore of Kempenfeldt Bay, separated from it by a public park. The station complex was originally adjacent to the bay until the land behind the station was infilled and levelled to build a rail yard. The station complex consists of a station building, an office building, and a restaurant adjacent to each other along the rail line. They have a uniform roof pitch and form an atypical layout for a railway station. The low-pitched roof and deep overhanging eaves are indicative of Prairie School design influence. The interior and exterior features of the buildings are provincially protected under an Ontario Heritage Trust conservation easement. The station building was considered the "flagship of the Grand Trunk" upon its opening.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
