Railway City CentralJust the facts
Main strip: Palmer Memorial Walkway on the Whistlestop Trail Founded: 1860s-70s Neighbourhood Giants: CASO Station & Elgin County Railway Museum Best photo spot: CASO Station Architecture: Italianate details of the CASO Station balanced by the industrial complexity of the Elgin County Railway Museum, (formerly the Michigan Central Railroad shops). Residences built to serve as homes for employees of railway companies. Where to mingle with locals: Joe Thornton Community Centre The vibe This neighbourhood is where St. Thomas earned its nickname, The Railway City. The iconic CASO Station (built 1871–1873) remains one of Canada’s most impressive railway buildings, shaping the area long before the city’s official founding in 1881. The 1913 Michigan Central Railroad shops added industrial strength, employing hundreds and complementing the station’s heritage. Today, the area is evolving with vibrant boxcar murals by artists like Mediah and Laura Woermke, blending history with modern creativity. Recreation hubs include the Joe Thornton Community Centre—named for the local NHL legend—the New York Central Ball Park for baseball, and the popular Railway City Skatepark. The History Known historically as Millersburg, this area was incorporated into St. Thomas in 1871, divided into St. David’s North and South wards. Michigan Central Park (later New York Central Park) was developed after WWI by local horticulturists. Notable landmarks included the YWCA (once a railway workers’ shelter) and the Grandstand at New York Central Ball Park’s Barnes Street entrance—both now gone but part of the neighbourhood’s rich past. |
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