August 10 2012

Windsor Station was designed by American architect Bruce Price and was built between 1887 and 1889. It served as the Head Quarters of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) company.

In 1993 construction of the Molson Centre (now called the Bell Centre and home of Montreal’s Ice Hockey team) began and since it was located on the tracks serving the station,a new station was constructed (Lucien-L’Allier) on the other side of the new stadium.

Although it’s no longer an active station, the CPR still uses part of the building for some of its operations. The building however was recently sold to commercial real estate developer Cadillac Fairview. The company last month broke ground on the first phase of a large multi tower project in the area of the Bell Center.

At one end of the concourse is the Angel of Victory Monument that the CPR commissioned in 1921 to commemorate CPR employees who gave their lives in World War I.  The bronze monument was sculpted by Montreal artist Coeur de Lion McCarthy (1881-1979). McCarthy produced numerous busts of political figures including the bust of Queen Victoria for the alcove above the Speaker’s Chair in the Senate Chamber in the Houses of Parliament.

The plaque beneath the sculpture reads:

“To commemorate those in the service of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardship, faced danger and finally passed out of sight of men by the path of duty and self sacrifice giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after see to it that their names be not forgotten. 1914-1918  1939-1945“

Stairs at either end of the concourse lead to tunnels that link to the RÉSO (Underground City).

Between the Bell Centre and the Windsor Station concourse there is a large open public space where 13 tracks used to enter the station.

The building designed by Price was typical of the architect who designed many of the stations and hotels of the CPR in the Romanesque Revival style – including Chateau Frontenac in Québec City.

Windsor Station was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1975, a Heritage Railway Station in 1990 and a provincial historic monument in 2009.

Windsor Station is the venue for the annual beer festival which for some unknown reason I actually missed this year 🙁

To view images in gallery format, simply click on one of the images below.

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.

– Martin

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