St. John's in CensusDiv 1 - Avalon Peninsula-St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)

Sir Robert Gillespie Reid

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 22, 2014

1. Sir Robert Gillespie Reid Marker

Inscription. This plaque is dedicated to the memory of

Sir Robert Gillespie Reid
(1842-1908)

Sir Robert Gillespie Reid was a bridge builder and railway contractor of international fame. Many of the structures that he engineered throughout the United States and Canada stand today as monuments to his skill and unswerving determination. Reid brought his business ventures to Newfoundland in 1889 and as president of Reid Newfoundland Company he built the railway from Whitebourne to Port aux Basques. The Reid Newfoundland Company owned and operated the railway for 33 years and also ran the coastal boat and telegraph services on the island. A native of Scotland, Sir Robert Gillespie Reid was born at Coupar-Angus, Perthshire in 1842. This most distinguished gentleman made a tremendous contribution to the railway and the province as a whole.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 47° 33.269′ N, 52° 42.822′ W. Marker is in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in CensusDiv 1 - Avalon Peninsula-St. John's. It is on Water Street close

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to Job Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 495 Water Street, St John's NL A1E, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Atlantic Canada.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony

and also the Viceroyalty of New France.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Former Newfoundland Railway Headquarters (a few steps from this marker); Herbert J. Russell, C.B.E. (a few steps from this marker); Apothecary Hall (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Thompson Building (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); O’Dwyer Block (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); St. John’s Court House (approx. 1.1 kilometers away); (Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Monument) (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); John Reeves (approx. 1.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. John's.

Also see . . . The Reid Newfoundland Company (1898-1920) - Heritage Newfoundland.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 22, 2014

2. Sir Robert Gillespie Reid Marker

This marker is halfway between the entrance and the right end of the building.

In 1911 P.T. McGrath wrote of the Reid Newfoundland Company that it was "the biggest paymaster in the Island, bigger even than the government." Upon completion of the main line in 1898, the history of the railway in Newfoundland entered a quarter century that was arguably its period of highest drama and highest stakes, the era of the Reid Newfoundland Company. (Submitted on November 23, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Sir Robert Gillespie Reid image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, n.d.

3. Sir Robert Gillespie Reid

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 766 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 23, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.