{"id":3769,"date":"2024-10-23T03:25:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-23T07:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/?p=3769"},"modified":"2024-10-23T03:26:31","modified_gmt":"2024-10-23T07:26:31","slug":"the-history-of-ottawas-railway-station","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3769-the-history-of-ottawas-railway-station","title":{"rendered":"The History of Ottawa&#8217;s Railway Station"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>At the heart of Ottawa, the city&#8217;s historic core, stands a remarkable building from the past: the former Union Station. Built between 1909 and 1912, Union Station served Ottawa and its citizens for many years, allowing trains to reach the city\u2019s downtown. The building itself was an architectural masterpiece that enhanced the cityscape. However, over time, the building ceased to function as a railway station and became a modern conference center for the government. The architectural firm <em>Ross &amp; MacFarlane<\/em> from Montreal designed this historic station, which is located at 2 Rideau Street, right in the heart of Canada&#8217;s capital. You can find more details by visiting <a href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\">ottawa-future.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a11a4027211b\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a11a4027211b\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3769-the-history-of-ottawas-railway-station\/#Exquisite_Canadian_Art_%E2%80%93_Union_Station\" title=\"Exquisite Canadian Art \u2013 Union Station\">Exquisite Canadian Art \u2013 Union Station<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3769-the-history-of-ottawas-railway-station\/#Construction_of_the_Station\" title=\"Construction of the Station\">Construction of the Station<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3769-the-history-of-ottawas-railway-station\/#The_Threat_to_Union_Station\" title=\"The Threat to Union Station\">The Threat to Union Station<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3769-the-history-of-ottawas-railway-station\/#The_Fight_to_Preserve_the_Building\" title=\"The Fight to Preserve the Building\">The Fight to Preserve the Building<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3769-the-history-of-ottawas-railway-station\/#Government_Conference_Center_in_the_Former_Union_Station\" title=\"Government Conference Center in the Former Union Station\">Government Conference Center in the Former Union Station<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3769-the-history-of-ottawas-railway-station\/#Public_Opinion_on_the_Stations_Condition\" title=\"Public Opinion on the Station\u2019s Condition\">Public Opinion on the Station\u2019s Condition<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Exquisite_Canadian_Art_%E2%80%93_Union_Station\"><\/span>Exquisite Canadian Art \u2013 Union Station<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/1.png 970w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/1-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/1-768x435.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/1-696x395.png 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 970px) 100vw, 970px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, the former Union Station serves a different purpose, but it was once Ottawa&#8217;s bustling railway hub. In its early days, it was a central depot for the city\u2019s trains before becoming a full-fledged station. In 1909, <em>Ross &amp; MacFarlane<\/em> was commissioned to design the future railway station. The firm\u2019s design was highly praised, described as \u201cstunningly beautiful,\u201d with elegant theatrical styles, monumental features, and classical forms such as columns, entablatures, pilasters, domes, and arches, creating an extraordinary architectural masterpiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Construction_of_the_Station\"><\/span>Construction of the Station<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"711\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3773\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/2.jpg 900w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/2-300x237.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/2-768x607.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/2-696x550.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The construction of the station took three years, beginning in 1909 on the site of Ottawa\u2019s old Central Depot, which had been built in 1896 by lumber baron John R. Booth. This old depot belonged to the Canadian Atlantic Railway. Although there were several delays, the station opened to the public in 1912.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simultaneously, the <em>Ch\u00e2teau Laurier<\/em> hotel was being built directly opposite the station. Both the railway station and the hotel opened on the same day in 1912, and they were connected by an underground tunnel for ease of access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"809\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3776\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/3.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/3-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/3-768x485.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/3-696x440.jpg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/3-1068x675.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Threat_to_Union_Station\"><\/span>The Threat to Union Station<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"760\" height=\"609\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3779\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/4.jpg 760w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/4-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/4-696x558.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Union Station\u2019s existence was threatened when the <em>Gerber Plan<\/em> was introduced. This urban development plan aimed to improve Ottawa\u2019s infrastructure while preserving the city\u2019s environment. One key aspect of the plan was to remove all railway tracks from the city center. In 1959, Ottawa officials signed an agreement to build a new railway station outside the city center near the Heron Bridge, which would replace Union Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By 1966, passenger service at Union Station ceased, and the building\u2019s future was in jeopardy. Despite its exquisite architecture and historical significance, city officials considered demolishing the station to make way for bus parking. This sparked protests from the public, who wanted to protect this unique piece of history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Fight_to_Preserve_the_Building\"><\/span>The Fight to Preserve the Building<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Public figures and Ottawa citizens alike began actively campaigning to preserve the building. One of the most influential voices was Constance Wright, who spoke on behalf of the Centennial Improvement Committee. Her speech, published in <em>The Ottawa Journal<\/em> in 1966, galvanized the citizens of Ottawa. Soon, more residents joined the protests against the planned demolition of Union Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In response, George McIlraith, Minister of Public Works at the time, announced a delay in the demolition of Union Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Government_Conference_Center_in_the_Former_Union_Station\"><\/span>Government Conference Center in the Former Union Station<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From 1967 to 1968, the public could still visit Union Station. By 1969, the building was closed, and plans were made to transform it into a government conference center, preserving its historical architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Public_Opinion_on_the_Stations_Condition\"><\/span>Public Opinion on the Station\u2019s Condition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ray Phillips, founder and president of <em>Heritage Ottawa<\/em>, was a leading figure in the battle to save Union Station. Through articles in <em>Ottawa Magazine<\/em>, he kept residents informed about the station&#8217;s significance, its architecture, and the reasons behind the proposed demolition. He opposed the <em>Gerber Plan<\/em>, which sought to create a cleaner, greener Ottawa by removing railways from the city center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Union Station, built in 1912, was modeled after the Roman Baths of Caracalla, designed to lift the spirits and beautify the city while celebrating the importance of the railway. Many feared that this magnificent building would be lost forever and replaced by a bus parking lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ottawa citizens and the City Improvement Committee wrote letters, appeared on radio and television, and pressured politicians to save Union Station. Eventually, their efforts led to a delay in the station\u2019s demolition. The idea of turning it into a conference center saved the building, and the government realized that restoration was more cost-effective than demolition and new construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1989, Union Station was officially recognized as a Canadian heritage site. The building, with its unique architectural features and historical importance, remains a treasured landmark for Ottawa residents. In 2006, Union Station was added to the Canadian Register of Historic Places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"514\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3782\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/5.jpg 945w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/5-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/5-768x418.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/10\/5-696x379.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At the heart of Ottawa, the city&#8217;s historic core, stands a remarkable building from the past: the former Union Station. Built between 1909 and 1912, Union Station served Ottawa and its citizens for many years, allowing trains to reach the city\u2019s downtown. The building itself was an architectural masterpiece that enhanced the cityscape. However, over [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":477,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1118],"tags":[3459,3457,2867,3464,2873,2863,2865,3462,3460,3466,3458,3456,3465,3463,3461],"motype":[1121],"moformat":[22],"moimportance":[33],"class_list":{"0":"post-3769","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-architecture","7":"tag-best-bus-station","8":"tag-best-ottawa-bus-station","9":"tag-bus-station","10":"tag-bus-station-history","11":"tag-bus-station-relocation","12":"tag-buses","13":"tag-convenient-bus-station","14":"tag-convenient-bus-station-location","15":"tag-convenient-ottawa-bus-station","16":"tag-history-of-ottawas-railway-station","17":"tag-how-was-it-ottawa-bus-station","18":"tag-how-was-the-bus-station","19":"tag-innovation","20":"tag-innovation-in-ottawa","21":"tag-ottawa-bus-station-history","22":"motype-eternal","23":"moformat-longrid-korotka","24":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/477"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3769"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3769\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3785,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3769\/revisions\/3785"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3769"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3769"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3769"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}