London and the Railway
This exhibit gives an overview of how the railways around London, Ontario have changed over time. Trains were once the most efficient way of travelling over long distances, and people were always eager to see the trains come steaming into town. Many travellers and people moving to London got their first taste of the city after stepping off of the train and into the downtown area. Over time, automobiles became more popular, and there were not as many people travelling by train. The following pages will help to tell the story of the importance the railways in the London area once had, and why that changed over time.
The train station in London has gone through many changes in its history. From helping to bring people into the area in the 1850's, to being the entry point to a declining method of transportation, the station reflects how the function of trains has shifted over time. The importance of the railway system was evident throughout the station's history, and an image of a train was even included on an earlier version of the flag for the city of London. The train station's central location made it the access point for the rest of London, and the area around it reflects this with its hotels and restaurants that passengers would have visited along their travels.
A photo of the London train station, c. 1890. From the Ivey Family London Room, London Public Library, London, Ontario, Canada.
There are three main sections to explore on this website. This first discusses why having the railroads come to the London area was important for the local communities. The second makes connections between London and some of the smaller communities in the area that were linked by rail. The third gives an overview of the changes to the train station in downtown London, and acts as a case study of how the railway's importance to the community has decreased over time.
The same station in 2014, looking from the opposite direction. Photo by Taryn Dewar.