Railway City CentralJust the facts
Main strip: Palmer Memorial Walkway along the Whistlestop Trail Founded: 1860s-70s Neighbourhood Giants: CASO Station & Elgin County Railway Museum Best photo spot: CASO Station (sunset shoots can be particularly stunning) 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 gradually to serve as homes for employees of a variety of railway companies. Where to mingle with locals: Joe Thornton Community Centre The vibe This area is where St. Thomas earned its identity as 'The Railway City.' The CASO Station, built 1871-1873, stands as one of the country's most impressive railway buildings, shaping the area even before St. Thomas became a city in 1881. In 1913, the Michigan Central Railroad shops added industrial significance, employing 400 workers at their peak and complementing the CASO Station’s design. Today, the neighbourhood is evolving to meet modern needs. Clues to its future can be seen in the vibrant boxcar murals by artists like Mediah, Laura Woermke, SBUONE, and others. Landmarks like the Joe Thornton Community Centre named for St. Thomas's legendary NHL player, offer recreation and hockey. The New York Central Ball Park hosts baseball along Wellington Street, while the Railway City Skatepark draws skaters from near and far. The history This area, historically known as Millersburg, was split into two wards—St. David’s North and South—and joined St. Thomas in 1871. Michigan Central Park, later renamed New York Central Park, was developed after World War I by F.B. Bennett and the St. Thomas Horticultural Society, extending east from Ross Street north of the CASO Station. The YWCA, originally near City Hall, later stood at Ross and Talbot from 1914 as a temporary home for railway workers. It was demolished in 1999. The New York Central Ball Park once featured a Grandstand at the east end of Barnes Street. |
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