Barrie in Simcoe County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Allandale Railroad YMCA
| | Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024
1. Allandale Railroad YMCA Marker
Somewhere to Go and Stay
Where do you go when you are a railway worker overnighting in Allandale on route to Toronto? Allandale residents wanted to offer a non-alcoholic alternative to the local bars. The Reverend H. D. Cameron, Allandale Presbyterian Church, suggested organizing a railway Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA).
By providing both recreation opportunities and accommodation in a Christian, but non-sectarian environment, the YMCA would prove to be an enduring success.
Early Community Centre
The late-Victorian style three-story brick building at 268 Bradford Street opened on May 19, 1908 offering accommodation, recreation, and friendly faces.
In response to demand, the Railroad YMCA Lawn Bowling Green was added behind the water tower in 1910 and was enjoyed by male and female teams.
In 1914, the railway men formed the Canadian National Athletic Association of the Barrie Division at the Allandale YMCA.
This community hub lasted until the 1940s, when accommodations were no longer required.
Erected by Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
this page online
Location. 44° 22.448′ N, 79° 41.106′ W. Marker is in Barrie, Ontario, in Simcoe County. It is on Lakeshore Drive 0.3 kilometers east of Tiffin Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is on the Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail at Station #4 (Allandale Village), in South Shore Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 155 Lakeshore Drive, Barrie ON L4N 7Y9, Canada. Touch for directions.
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: Early Businesses (here, next to this marker); Housing Shortages (here, next to this marker); Living in a Company Town
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024
2. Allandale Railroad YMCA Marker
Looking west along Lakeshore Drive. This is one of six related interpretive panels at this location.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail Station #4 Allandale Village
Also see . . . Then and Now: Railway YMCA (Barrie Today).
(by Deb Exel, 8/23/2020) Excerpt: When the Grand Trunk Railway (GTR) took over Northern Railway and began expanding their interests and facilities in Allandale, it became apparent that railroad workers needed a place to stay when deadheading or working in the area short term. Planning and fundraising began in 1905, with the GTR kicking in $4,500 toward construction and committing to $90 per month to maintain the building.(Submitted on May 26, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)New York architect George F. Scheaeder designed
the three-storey brick building facing the bay. On the first floor, the northeast corner was reserved for the Bank of Toronto, which would be renting office space in the new building. The rest of the main floor housed a restaurant with lunch counter, kitchen, baths showers, wash room and bathrooms. On the second floor was a lecture room, parlour, classroom, barber shop, cloak room and a secretarys office, which was used by the YMCA to run programs until 1942. On the top floor, 15 8x6 sleeping cubicles, as well as a large bathroom and lavatory, were planned.The building continued on as the YMCA through the 1940s and 50s. In the '60s, right through to the early 1980s, the building became the Allandale Mens Rooming House. By 1982, the old YMCA had been reborn as the Crazy Fox, a fine-dining restaurant, followed by Shutters and currently the Farmhouse restaurant all of which have preserved and showcased the beautiful historic features and charm of this splendid heritage structure.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 26, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
