St. Thomas, Railway city in southwestern Ontario, Canada.
Description
St. Thomas is a city in southwestern Ontario built as a major railway junction, and the landscape still reflects this industrial role. Historic train stations, repair shops, and rail-related structures remain visible throughout the urban areas today.
History
The settlement was founded in 1810 and named after Colonel Thomas Talbot, an early regional settler. By the late 1800s it had become a major railway hub with multiple lines, a transformation that shaped the town's growth and economic importance for generations.
Culture
The town's identity is deeply rooted in its railway past, which remains visible in the architecture and layout throughout the streets. Visitors can explore old stations and rail buildings that show how the trains shaped the way the community developed and grew.
Practical
The town is easy to walk through, with routes connecting different neighborhoods and main buildings. Visit during quieter times to better see the historic structures and move around without dealing with traffic congestion.
Did you know?
A life-sized statue commemorates Jumbo, a famous circus elephant that was struck and killed by a locomotive here in 1885. This unusual event brought worldwide attention to the town, and the monument remains a curiosity that catches many visitors off guard.
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Alma College
647 m
Jumbo the Elephant
2.1 km
North America Railway Hall of Fame
413 mElgin Military Museum
2.2 km
Elgin County Railway Museum
214 m
BX InterlockingTower
680 mPrincess Avenue Playhouse
772 m
Waterworks Park
2.1 km
Michigan Central Railway (MCR) Bridge over Kettle Creek
2.5 kmDalewood Conservation Area
3.2 kmElgin County Courthouse
1.5 kmPinafore Park
1.6 km
Michigan Central Railway (MCR) Locomotive Repair Shops
218 m
St. Thomas City Hall
901 mPublic Utilities Commission
908 mMcKenzie House
2 km20 Walnut Street
2.1 km50 William Street
1.6 km7 Church Street
1.9 kmBalaclava Street School
589 mCapitol Theatre
860 mDingman House
1.4 kmAmerican Hotel
522 m33-33 1/2 St. George Street
1.6 km105 Metcalfe Street
1.4 km10 Centre Street
2.1 km77 Metcalfe Street
1.4 kmMcKay-Mulligan House
2 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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