Station Project - A Brief History




For just over 80 years, from 1879 to 1962, the Stirling train station was the hub of activity within the Village of Stirling. Manufactured goods and specialty supplies arrived to fill the needs of an expanding agricultural, forestry and mining economy. One can imagine the flow of tools, harness, rope, chain, stoves, furniture, hardware, barrels and bales from the old countries, arriving to the eager hands of the farmers, loggers and trades people settling in this area.

As the years progressed, and the local economy matured, the outward flow of sawn timber, grains, cheese, butter, barrels of apples, ingots of metal, and livestock would rise to overtake imports. Besides being the major trade line and connection to the larger world, the railway served local and regional needs, connecting communities all up and down the line.

From 1962 until 2004, the Stirling Grand Trunk Station stood largely forgotten, vandalized and was almost destroyed by fire more than once. The station somehow survived those decades amazingly intact. Important, but sporadic efforts were made to secure the building and preserve its contents of railroad memorabilia. However, being located in the middle of the concession relegated the station to being "out of sight, out of mind."

Since 2004, the station project has been on the move … literally. The Stirling Rotary Club, with the cooperation of the Village of Stirling and the Stirling-Rawdon Historical Society, has been busy saving this important local landmark and restoring it to its former role as a hub of the community. A full concrete walkout foundation has been built and the building was moved down the line to a more prominent location. Electricity, water, sewer, gas, fire protection and better access have all been provided. The lower level is the sun-filled Rotary Community Hall, complete with a beautiful multi-purpose room, which serves as a dining room, music venue, presentation and meeting space and an ideal spot for private functions and special events. A full kitchen is on the lower level.

The main and upper floors of the old station will become a living museum, gallery and information centre





Why Stirling Rotary decided to restore the historic Grand Trunk railway station...

It wasn’t so many years ago that the distinctive cry of a train whistle off in the distance was a familiar sound for area residents. In the early part of the last century a train ticket was also a passport to an amazing world outside of rural village life. Now there is a good chance hearing that “lonesome whistle blow” again may lie in the future of Stirling-Rawdon residents.

As the new century dawned Stirling Rotary Club members were searching for a worthwhile community project to focus on. After one of their early morning breakfast meetings 2001-2002 Club President Alan Coxwell invited Rotarians to walk over to the old Stirling Railway Station, which sat forlorn and neglected along the tracks at the end of Station Street.

The primary problem preventing restoration and use of the station was its location. The abandoned railbed had its tracks removed many years ago and had become a thoroughfare for kids on bikes, dog walkers and the motorized class on 4-wheelers and skidoos in the winter.

Located in an isolated spot midway between the Campbellford Road and Highway #14, without proper lighting, the station was a natural target for vandals. Fire Chief Bruce Woodbeck has stated that on more than one occasion kids partying in the station almost resulted in it being burned down. Moving it out to the edge of Highway #14 was seen as the solution to this problem. Right behind Bird’s IGA parking lot there was a small section of rough land which has a seasonal stream flowing through it on its way to Rawdon Creek. The highest part of this land, about 75 feet west of Highway 14, appeared to be a fine relocation site for the station. It would be highly visible from the road so our police force and citizens could easily keep an eye on the structure which would be well lit at night.

As far back as 1985 there was an active Historical Society in the village which had taken the station under its wing. A great many volunteer hours went into repairs and general maintenance with an annual Canada Day celebration at the station being the highlight of their year. This event was also a major fundraiser for the Historical Society which allowed renovations to proceed. As years passed members became frustrated because all of the positive efforts they put forth were destroyed by vandals. New windows were replaced many times, only to be smashed out in the dark of night by people with too much time on their hands. If a new Canadian flag was flown it would soon be stolen. It is a sad commentary on some of our citizens but such acts eventually caused the Historical Society to lose its enthusiasm and fall idle.

The Rotary Club first approached Stirling-Rawdon Council with their idea in 2001. It was greeted with enthusiasm and permission was soon officially granted to relocate the station to the desired location at no expense to the municipality and the Rotary Club of Stirling was granted a management agreement so they could orchestrate the project. The village owns narrow strips of land on both sides of the railway bed so the move was actually just a relocation eastward on this piece of municipal property. The village has also taken over this railway right-of-way within the municipality.

The next hurdle was to gain permission from the Lower Trent Conservation Authority as the small stream which flows through the property carries spring meltwater to Rawdon Creek.

The LTRCA had no objections to the plans drawn up by Rotarian Kevin Tribble, who is a professional landscape architect, and also gave their blessing to the project.

It was initially estimated it would cost $45,000 to move the station, including the construction of a proper basement but the scope of the project has escalated over time and over $200,000 has been invested by the Rotary Club and individual contributors over the past five years. Eventually it is hoped the station can have a multitude of uses including a railway museum, tourist information and heritage centre. As well, the basement with its south facing exposure is being developed into a Rotary Community Hall to host events such as weddings, anniversaries, arts festivals and other community events.

Fundraising efforts got off to a good start when the Bayshore Credit Union heard about the project. The Credit Union, actually the descendent of the Canadian National Railway Pensioners Fund, believed preserving an old CN station fit perfectly into their desire to be involved in the communities they serve. They have since donated $2,000 to the Stirling-Rawdon Historical Society (SRHS) for the station project. The Stirling Rotary Club also immediately set up a special account with an initial $1,000 being transferred from the club’s bank account in 2001 and a further $750 was contributed by The Community Press. Charitable donation tax receipts were soon available from the Historical Society for moneys received and fundraising. The Stirling Rotary Club has held numerous fundraising events such as entertainment events at the Stirling Festival Theatre, Yard Sales and a car raffle to raise funds to continue working on the development of the building and site for the community. Lots has been achieved but there is much more to be done. See the Station Project Status site for development plans.


Construction Begins on The Restoration and Relocation of
Stirling's Grand Trunk Railway Station.





















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