Union Station Toronto:
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 Credit: Beth and Christian, on flickr.com |
Union Station is a federally designated National Historic Site. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada considers it a building of "national architectural significance".
The Beaux-Arts gem was constructed in the golden era of train travel when stations were designed to look like palaces or temples, not shopping malls. It's my favourite building in Toronto. I think of it as the Cathedral of Canadian train stations.
You'll know what I mean once you pass through the limestone columns on Front Street and into the Great Hall with its marble patterned floors and high ceiling. Light flows in from the west and east ends of the station through windows four stories tall and through smaller windows set into the upper walls on the north and south sides. Even when I’m hurrying through the Toronto train station to make a connection, the beauty of this hall makes my spirits soar. My lungs expand. My muscles loosen. Instinctively I straighten my shoulders and walk taller.
History of Toronto Union Station
Union Station is the third train station built in this area. The previous two were torn down. The current structure went through a bit of a strange birth. Construction began in 1914, was delayed for years during World War I, and finally completed in 1920. Then the station sat unused until 1927 because of legal squabbles between the Harbour Commission, the City and the railways (wow… sounds familiar…). A team of architects worked on the project: G.A. Ross and R.H. McDonald, Hugh Johnes and John M. Lyle.
On its official opening day, August 6, 1927, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales cut the ribbons and was given the first ticket. The price for that ticket to Alberta was $71.20; today the same ride would cost over $1,100.
Guided Tours of Toronto Union Station
If you’re keen about learning more about Union Station and seeing some areas that are normally off-limits to the public, you can take a 2-hour tour of the station with a railway buff. See the Toronto Railway Historical Association web site for more information. http://www.trha.ca/plansandprojects.html
For practical tips
How to access trains, buses, and subway from Union Station Toronto. Location, etc: Union Station Toronto In the Neighbourhood
return from Union Station Toronto to Toronto Tourism
return from to Ontario Travel Secrets home page