Gravenhurst Railway Stations

Location: Gravenhurst, Muskoka Township, Muskoka District
Name: The community was named in 1862 by a post office official for a reference in the Washington Irving novel ‘Bracebridge Hall, or the Humorists’
Former Community Names: Muskoka Junction, McCabes Landing/Bay/Mills
Railway Companies: NRC/CNR

Gravenhurst Railway Map Download

Part A – Northern Railway/Grand Trunk Railway/Canadian National Railway – Main Gravenhurst Station

Original Railway: Toronto, Simcoe & Muskoka Junction Railway 1871 (Northern Extensions Railway 1872, Northern Railway of Canada 1875, Northern & North Western Railway 1879, Grand Trunk Railway 1888, Canadian National Railway 1923) 1875 – Current
Current/Final Railway: Canadian National Railway
Location/Address: The original station was located at the terminus of Clarence St and Nelson St (south of Main St). The second station was located at 150 Second St, south of Brock St
Railway Mileage: Newmarket Subdivision Mile 111.38 and Huntsville Subdivision Mile 0.0
Surrounding Building Context: Gravenhurst was founded as a service community on the Muskoka Rd, an early colonization route into northern Ontario, that provided accommodation for travellers. This included being the terminus of steamboat lines on Lake Muskoka that catered to farmers and vacationers around the lake. The arrival of the railway took place in 1871, being an extension of the Northern Railway from Barrie and Orillia. The first station served as the terminus of the line for 10 years. From the station grounds, the line continued northwest to the steamer wharf on Lake Muskoka and beyond to West Gravenhurst (see below for details), serving a number of lumber mills and yards along the way. The main line station itself was located amongst all of the other railway facilities, which ultimately was also the location where the railway extended north to Huntsville and North Bay (which became known as Muskoka Junction). Until the surrounding forests were mostly depleted, Gravenhurst was the centre of a vast northern lumber industry, much of it focused on the nearby harbour. The finished product was shipped out south to Canadian and American markets. Gravenhurst was also a key departing point for those accessing hotel and resort properties along the inland lakes. The station stop was very busy during the summer months, and in particular on the weekends, to accommodate traffic passing through to the steamer docks at Muskoka Wharf and beyond to other northern destinations. Railway divisional facilities included a six stall frame roundhouse, wrought iron turntable, a steel water tower and sand shed, timber coaling dock, ice house, car repair shop, section and foreman offices, tool houses, and an extensive classification yard with wye.

Station Origin: Original station

Construction Date: The building was constructed in 1875 by the Northern Railway of Canada, and remodelled in 1898 by the Grand Trunk Railway. Next to the station was a restaurant (referred to as a refreshment room), along with baggage and freight facilities
Architect/Builder: Unknown
Station Style: To be determined
Exterior Architecture Details: The station was a two storey frame structure with a gable roof broken across the front by a series of steep gable dormers. An overhang extended along the front of the station for passenger protection
Interior Architectural Details: The ground floor contained passenger waiting rooms, a ticket/operator office, and possibly an express/baggage room. The upper floor contained either divisional railway offices or accommodation for railway personal.
Landscaping & Ground Details: Timber platform
Building Costs: Unknown
Destruction Date: The building was damaged by fire in May 1913. Accordingly, it was determined that a location closer to the centre of the community and more convenient for travellers would be chosen for a replacement structure
Current Use: Not applicable
Designations: Not applicable

Station Origin: Second station

Construction Date: The building was constructed in 1919 by the Grand Trunk Railway. It was formerly opened by the Prince of Wales who later became King Edward VIII. The restaurant building may have been constructed at a later date. The new station was located to the east of the commercial centre of the community, close to Gull Lake Park, although much more central in comparison to the original structure. Facilities included a separate express building/baggage building and restaurant, connected by an overhead canopy, and a water spout
Architect/Builder: Unknown
Station Style: To be determined, possibly a building unique to the location
Exterior Architecture Details: The building was a single storey white frame structure with a stone foundation and an octagonal style roof above the waiting room that extended over the platform to provide shelter. An hexagonal operator window faced the tracks. To the rear was a formal drop-off and pick-up area, located below two eye-lid shaped dormers. A covered platform connected the station building with an express building to the south and a restaurant beyond that.
Interior Architectural Details: The station building was principally made up of a passenger waiting rooms and ticket/operator office, with express/baggage and restaurant uses located adjacent.
Landscaping & Ground Details: A grassed landscaped area extended from the station north to Brock St, while a concrete platform abutted all track areas
Building Costs: Unknown
Destruction Date: Not applicable
Current Use: In 1983, the station grounds were subject to a Ministry of Transportation program to convert certain stations into multi-modal terminals. Upon completion of the works in 1986, which included rehabilitation of the structures and grounds, the station was purchased by the Town. Passenger service ceased in 2012. It has contained several commercial and transportation uses over time, including an Ontario Northland bus depot and cafe. Currently, the complex includes a veterinary clinic and a taxi dispatch office while a portion is vacant
Designations: The building was designated by the Town under the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act on October 28, 1985. The property contains a plaque that recognizes the arrival of the railway in 1875

Part B – Northern Railway/Grand Trunk Railway/Canadian National Railway – Main Muskoka Wharf Station

Original Railway: Toronto, Simcoe & Muskoka Junction Railway 1871 (Northern Extensions Railway 1872, Northern Railway of Canada 1875, Northern & North Western Railway 1879, Grand Trunk Railway 1888, Canadian National Railway 1923) 1875 – c1963
Current/Final Railway: Canadian National Railway
Location/Address: The station was located at the terminus of what is now Wharf Rd, at Steamship Bay Rd
Railway Mileage: Terminus of the 1.36 mile Muskoka Wharf Branch/Spur
Surrounding Building Context: See above for general Gravenhurst information. The station and associated facilities were located on a long wharf that extended out into Lake Muskoka. The wharf was located at the end of a 1.36 mile spur line that lead from Muskoka Junction/Gravenhurst. The spur was once longer, serving a number of saw mills in West Gravenhurst, which have all since been removed. During the summer months, the wharf became a key transfer point between the railway and Muskoka Lakes Navigation steamers that included the Sagamo, Seguin, Muskoka, Cherokee, and the Medora. A number of private yachts also connected with the trains, to transport wealthy owners (many of which were American) to cottages and hotels around the lakes. Trains carried passengers and private cars from Toronto and many American cities, in particular Buffalo and Pittsburgh. Nearby was the Ditchburn boat manufacturing facility. Other railway facilities at the wharf included a long frame freight shed, which dated back to the opening of the line in 1876.

Station Origin: Original station

Construction Date: The building was likely constructed with the opening of the line in 1875 by the Northern Railway of Canada
Architect/Builder: Unknown
Station Style: To be determined
Exterior Architecture Details: The building was a single storey frame structure with a gable roof. An open shelter extended out from the station building to provide some cover for passengers waiting outside
Interior Architectural Details: The station contained a passenger waiting room and a ticket/operator office, along with a freight/express room
Landscaping & Ground Details: Timber platform
Building Costs: Unknown
Destruction Date: The building was likely removed with the construction of the new station in 1896
Current Use: Not applicable
Designations: Not applicable

Station Origin: Second station

Construction Date: The building was constructed in 1896 by the Grand Trunk Railway. Three open pavilions were later constructed in 1896 (two) and 1901 (one)
Architect/Builder: Unknown
Station Style: To be determined
Exterior Architecture Details: The building was a single storey frame structure with a hip roof. Extending out from the station were long open pavilions to provide passenger shelter along the dock
Interior Architectural Details: The station contained passenger waiting rooms, a ticket/operator office, American Customs office, and a freight/express room. As noted above, long covered shelters extended out from each side of the main building to provide passenger shelter
Landscaping & Ground Details: Being located on a wharf that extended out into the lake provided for beautiful views of the surrounding lake and rocky countryside. During the earlier years of operation, the view was marred by saw mill debris and deforested areas
Building Costs: Unknown
Destruction Date: Traffic at the wharf dropped dramatically after the Second World War with passenger trains to the wharf ceasing in 1952. The building was dismantled in 1956, and the area converted into a series of private boat docks. Recently, the surrounding area has been upgraded into a range of commercial and residential uses, including the Muskoka Discovery Centre Grace & Speed marine museum. With the exception of the rock filled extension into the lake, very little remains of the wharf from railway and steamer days. A replica of the station was constructed nearby at the Town wharf to serve as a ticket office and gift shop for the steamer Sequin. At one time, a museum occupied the building, which has since relocated.
Current Use: Not applicable
Designations: Not applicable

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