Historic Sites of Manitoba: Canadian Pacific Railway Station (Emerson, Municipality of Emerson-Franklin)

The first railway depot in Emerson (today, on the CPR Emerson Subdivision in the Municipality of Emerson-Franklin) was built in 1879 and was destroyed by fire in May 1885. A temporary structure was used until a new one was constructed. The present one-storey building, measuring 36 by 88 feet, was constructed in 1914 at a cost of $9,000.

The layout of the depot’s interior was determined by railway standards of the time for small to medium-sized passenger stations. It included an office, a waiting room and baggage room for passengers, and a separate storage room for freight. Because of its border location, the building probably also had an office for the customs officers and a bonded storage room. The agent and his family lived in a separate residence building.

A local group had intended to use the old station as the clubhouse for a new golf course being constructed nearby. They were offered the building for $1 but, on closer inspection, found little of the original interior. The roof rafters were sagging and exterior shingles were in poor condition. The cost of moving the building was considerable and it would have to be brought up to modern building codes at the new site. Facing these challenges, the group decided against accepting the building.

Canadian Pacific Railway station at Emerson (August 1995) Source: George Penner Canadian Pacific Railway station at Emerson (July 2016) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Aerial view of the Canadian Pacific Railway station at Emerson (July 2016) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Canadian Pacific Railway station at Emerson (October 2019) Source: Rose Kuzina Canadian Pacific Railway station at Emerson (October 2020) Source: Rose Kuzina Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.00468, W97.20321 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Emerson CNR Station (Emerson, Municipality of Emerson-Franklin)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Abandoned Manitoba

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Railway Stations

Sources:

We thank Wayne Arseny, Les Kozma, George Penner, and Rose Kuzina for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 17 March 2023

Historic Sites of Manitoba This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only. SEARCH the collection Browse lists of: Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | Other Inclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner. Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes. Send corrections and additions to this page to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca. Search Tips | Suggest an Historic Site | FAQ Help us keep history alive!