The Harbour Grace Railway Station was built circa 1884, to accompany Harbour Grace’s branch line. The building resembles the form and style common in Newfoundland stations. Originally, the station was painted ochre red. In 2016, during research by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland & Labrador, evidence of this early colour was found on the building. Also, according to Wayne Cashin, son of Harold Cashin, the last station agent in Harbour Grace, the building was once painted ochre red. (The building was restored to its original colour in 2017.) In 1898 Robert G. Reid took ownership of the station, along with the island’s railway interests. The colour of the station soon changed to yellow and green—standard among Reid Newfoundland Company stations. The station contained three rooms—the waiting room, express room, and main office—and two ticket windows. In Newfoundland, the stations were meant to be inconspicuous, to fit with surrounding architecture. Hence the buildings were built from a standard plan—frame, single-clad structures with clapboard exteriors. These specifications were standard across the island, except for St. John’s. Local builders likely erected the station using readily available material.
The Harbour Grace Railway Station closed on March 31, 1984, the last train running later in September. On May 13, 1996, the Harbour Grace Historical Society obtained custody of the building. The group used the station as their regular meeting place, later converting the building into a museum. In remembrance of this initiative, the station was later renamed the Gordon G. Pike Railway Station Heritage Museum and Park, after the former mayor and leading member of the Historical Society. The museum regularly operated during the summer for years, eventually closing due to needed repairs.
On October 5, 1996, the station became a Municipal Heritage Site. In 2016 the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland & Labrador designated the station a Registered Heritage Structure. In 2017 the station underwent exterior renovations and was converted to its original ochre red colour. In 2018-19 the interior of the station was restored and repainted through funding from the provincial government.
Opening Tuesday, July 2, 2019, Wednesday – Sunday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays. (Hours subject to change.)
Website: http://www.hrgrace.ca/site/tourism-heritage/attractions/railway-museum/
