If you had to choose a landmark that truly represents Toronto, besides the CN Tower – Union Station would be at the top. Serving over a quarter-million people daily, this historic station isn’t just the city’s busiest transportation hub, it’s also a designated national historic site.
Before we dive into how it received this designation, we have to look at its rich history.
What Union Station once was
According to the City of Toronto, an earlier version of Union Station was first built in 1872. It was right on Front Street, between York and Simcoe. Though it’s not as grand as the one we know, it was modelled after the Illinois Central Station in Chicago. It had three domed towers, ticket offices, waiting rooms and railway offices.
“In its time, the previous Union Station was considered to be one of the most modern and handsome stations on the continent. Its tall silhouette was a noted feature of the turn-of-the-century Toronto skyline,” shares the city.
However it wasn’t long until people wanted more – Transit goers wanted a larger station. “By 1911, the station handled some 40,000 passengers on more than 130 trains daily,” adds the city.
As the population grew, that only meant a larger facility was needed, sooner than later. According to the city, construction on the Union Station we know began in 1914. This occurred in the midst of a material shortage during World War I. Despite this hurdle, the station officially opened in 1927.
Designing the last “great phase”
Its design was inspired by the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. It was formulated by a team of architects from the Montreal firm of G.A. Ross and R.H. MacDonald, Hugh Jones of the CPR and John M. Lyle of Toronto.
Its interior walls are made of Zumbro stone from Missouri and floors from Tennessee marble. These are laid in a herringbone pattern. As for its exterior walls, these are made of Indiana and Queenston limestone. Each of the 22 Bedford limestone columns weighs about 75 tons and is 40 feet high.
“The shape of the ceiling is echoed in the four-storey, barrel-vaulted windows on the east and west walls,” explains the city. “Mid-way up the north and south walls are carved the names of the cities that were then serviced by the CPR and the Canadian National Railways (CNR), the government-owned railway that replaced the Grand Trunk.”
Union Station was considered the largest and most luxurious train station in Canada during “the last great phase in railway station construction.”
Grand opening 1927
His Royal Highness, Edward, the Prince of Wales, cut the opening ribbon at Union Station on August 6, 1927. The Duke and Duchess of York joined in the celebration alongside British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin and Mrs. Baldwin, and Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. A number of other members of the Ontario and Canadian governments were also in attendance.
Per the city, the Prince of Wales purchased the first ticket ever sold at Union Station. “The ticket was to Alberta and cost $71.20 which today would be approximately $1184.49.”
On August 11, 1927, the Station welcomed and dispatched its first passenger trains.
Union Station is a historic site
It wasn’t until 40 years later that Union Station was recognized for its historic contribution, on a grand scale. Parks Canada designated it as a National Historic Site in 1975. It was, and still is, “the country’s finest example of a classical beaux-arts railway station,” per the city.
Since its opening, Union Station has experienced the growth of the city from welcoming waves of immigrants to surviving a major fire. The city would not be complete without it.
The City has owned, managed and upgraded Union Station for over 20 years. The Union Station we know now not only continues to be one of the busiest commuter hubs in North America, but it also serves as a landmark destination. It’s now a shopping experience with their Bay retail area, and with the addition of its ever-growing food court and offerings, Union Station now connects commuters with more.
At the time of its initiation, Union Station’s revitalization had three objectives: to improve the quality and capacity of pedestrian movement, to restore heritage elements and to transform the Station into a major destination for shopping, dining and visiting.
It’s safe to say that has been accomplished.
Through decades of change, Union Station has remained a symbol of Toronto’s growth, resilience, and ambition. More than just a transportation hub, it stands as a testament to the city’s history, where past and present meet, guiding millions toward their next destination.
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Karen Doradea
Senior Staff Writer, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.
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