Waterford in Norfolk County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Shadow Lake

— Waterford Heritage Trail Network —

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 10, 2026

1. Shadow Lake Marker

Inscription. Looking west from this spot everything you see before you was once a busy railway yard. Multiple sets of tracks filled the entire area of this park and beyond to the west. Coal hoppers fueled the trains, engine boilers were filled and trains assembled. Goods of all sorts were delivered for the inhabitants of the area. Farm produce, grain and lumber from local mills and manufactured products from Waterford's factories were shipped to destinations far beyond Norfolk County.

Passengers arrived and departed from the train station you see at the far end of the park. (Originally it was located further east.) At one time an estimated 120 trains passed through Waterford each day operated by three different railroad companies. The first, the Canada Southern Railway was completed in 1872.

As you explore the rich railway history of the area you may find remnants of the days of the railyard. Creosote-soaked ties, telegraph poles and concrete bases for railroad buildings can all be found here. Further down the trail you will be able to cross Waterford's famous Black Bridge.

Take a photograph of the pictures on this plaque to compare with the views in the park and from Black Bridge.

Please enjoy your visit safely and responsibly.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars

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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 42° 56.045′ N, 80° 17.685′ W. Marker is in Waterford, Ontario, in Norfolk County. It is on Alice Street 0.1 kilometers west of St. James Street South, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 79 Alice Street, Waterford ON N0E 1Y0, 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: A different marker also named Shadow Lake (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Shadow Lake (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Bridge Park (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Founding of Waterford (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); a different marker also named Shadow Lake (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); The Black Bridge Centennial Festival (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); a different marker also named Shadow Lake (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Founding of Simcoe (approx. 10.5 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterford.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 10, 2026

2. Shadow Lake Marker

Facing west along the former rail yards

Former Waterford train Station, 2026 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 10, 2026

3. Former Waterford train Station, 2026

Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 14, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.