Havelock CPR Station – The “Golden Age” of the railways in Canada kept alive in the village

August 2022

Back in the “Golden Age” of the railways in Canada, railway stations had impressive and appealing architectural designs. While many were demolished when they were no longer needed by the railway companies that used them, others were restored and re-purposed, sometimes re-located to a new location.

The former Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) station in the central Ontario town of Havelock, remains beside the still-active CP line through the town, but it now houses a restaurant and a cannabis store.

Built over a 15-year period from 1914-1929, interrupted due to the outbreak of World War I, the station is a picturesque single-storey brick building with a high pitched roof bell-cast roof cut by a prominent gable and dormers, deep bracketed eaves, and horizontal layering in the walls. It replaced the original CPR station, built in 1884.

The CPR closed their freight depot in 1967, but passenger service remained until ceasing in January 1990. While the rail line running past the station remains active, operated by CPR subsidiary Kawartha Lakes Railway, the station was closed and sold. It now houses an restaurant, The Station Restaurant, and Sunfish Cannabis.

Today the station is a prominent landmark in a village, and has been designated as a heritage railway station for its historical associations, its architectural character, and its importance within the community. Most of the interior features remain intact and have been restored.

Sources: Railway Remnants in Havelock – Toronto Railway Historical Association (trha.ca), Havelock railway station – Wikipedia, HistoricPlaces.ca – HistoricPlaces.ca, Havelock, its Railroad and Quarry | 2 Old Guys Walking (wordpress.com).