Port Hope in Northumberland County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Little Station House

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 7, 2025

1. The Little Station House Marker

Inscription. It is estimated that the Little Station may have been the first railway station in Port Hope, on the Grand Trunk Railway. It was built in the mid 1850's as a stop on the way to Lindsay and Beaverton. Because of its low gable roof and three foot overhang with elaborate brackets it was probably not a flag stop but a fully functioning passenger station with benches, a pot bellied stove and ticket wicket.

When a new station was built in 1856 the Little Station became a baggage shed. Once again it became too small (this time for all the luggage) so it was donated to a railway employee who later gifted it to the ACO who lent it to the yacht club for its use. In 2018 it was moved again to this site, restored and rehabilitated with a new lower level, and is now the new home of Critical Mass, a local group of volunteers promoting contemporary arts. The Little Station is finally, proudly placed, back where it belongs, on the old Grand Trunk Line!

The Little Station House is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act and remains a significant reminder of the railway history in Port Hope.

Erected by Architectural

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Conservancy of Ontario/ Municipality of Port Hope.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 43° 57.004′ N, 78° 17.671′ W. Marker is in Port Hope, Ontario, in Northumberland County. It is on John Street 0.1 kilometers north of Augusta Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 43 John Street, Port Hope ON L1A L1A, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Kawarthas Northumberland Area

and in Eastern Ontario.

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 Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Thomas Curtis Clarke 1827-1901 (within shouting distance of this marker); Cenotaph Plaque (about 120 meters

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 7, 2025

2. The Little Station House Marker

away, measured in a direct line); Port Hope Cenotaph (about 120 meters away); Port Hope Capitol Theatre / Le Théâtre Capitol de Port Hope (about 120 meters away); Arthur T.H. Williams MP (about 150 meters away); 77mm German Field Gun (about 150 meters away); Founding of Port Hope (about 180 meters away); Rotary Foot Bridge (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Hope.

Port Hope Grand Trunk Railway Station, ca1900, with the “Little Station” on the right image. Click for full size.

3. Port Hope Grand Trunk Railway Station, ca1900, with the “Little Station” on the right

Source: Port Hope and District Historical Society (public domain)

The Little Station House in 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 7, 2025

4. The Little Station House in 2025

Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 11, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.