Ontario's Historical Plaques

at ontarioplaques.com

Learn a little Ontario history as told through its plaques

Sir William C. Van Horne 1843-1915

Sir William C. Van Horne 1843-1915

Photo by contributor Dave Fernie - Posted November, 2005

Sir William C. Van Horne 1843-1915

Photo from Google Street View ©2010 Google - Posted October, 2010

Sir William C. Van Horne 1843-1915

Photo Source - Wikipedia

Plaque Location

The District of Thunder Bay
The City of Thunder Bay
On the south side of Cumberland Street North
a block and a half north of Red River Road


Coordinates: N 48 26.169 W 89 13.063

Map

Plaque Text

Born in Chelsea, Illinois, Van Horne, after a brilliant career with a number of railway companies in the mid-western United States, accepted the position of general manager of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1881. Construction of this pioneer Canadian transcontinental line was pushed ahead rapidly under his energetic supervision, despite many difficulties of a physical and financial nature which would have discouraged a man of lesser ability. Its completion in 1885 ensured Canadian unity. Through his influence this community, previously known as Prince Arthur's Landing, was named Port Arthur in 1883-84. Elected president of the company in 1888, Van Horne was knighted in 1894 for his services to Canada.

Related Ontario plaque
The Western Route of the C.P.R.

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