Discover Ontario's history as told through its plaques
2004 - Now in our 15th Year - 2019
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The Northern Railway Company of Canada
Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2004
Photo from Google Street View ©2010 Google - Posted November, 2010
Plaque Location
The County of Simcoe
The Town of Collingwood
On the southeast corner of St. Paul Street
and Huron Street (Highway 26)
on the north side of the former railway station
Coordinates: N 44 30.181 W 80 12.865 |
 |
Plaque Text
In May, 1853, The Ontario, Simcoe and Huron Union Railroad Company ran the first steam train in this province, from Toronto to Aurora. By January, 1855, the company had completed its 153 km "portage line" from Toronto to Collingwood. The line was renamed "The Northern Railway Company of Canada" in 1858. Companies closely affiliated with the Northern built connecting lines to Meaford, Penetanguishene and Gravenhurst. Though the Northern sought traffic moving between the upper lakes and Lake Ontario and Atlantic ports, mainly grain from the U.S. Mid-West, much of its freight was firewood, farm produce and timber from along its own lines. In 1888 the Northern was absorbed by The Grand Trunk Railway Company.
Another plaque at this location
The Associated Country Women of the World
Related Ontario plaque
First Steam Train 1853
More
Information
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Railways
Here are the visitors' comments for this page.
> Posted September 16, 2013
Prior to 1855 was there any other rail line which interconnected with a line coming out of Toronto? I am just trying to discover the mode of transportation from Toronto to Collingwood about 1851.
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