Original train station one of few remaining

Heritage

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From a train station of the early 1900s to a fine-dining restaurant, Grosvenor's is seeing the end of another era.

The building that has been closed for two years, is once again going through change and, this time, it is for sale along with the surrounding property that has been severed into building lots.

The structure is an example of early style train stations that were once found throughout Ontario but that, today, are rare.  The rich wood interior shows the craftmanship that once existed with each carpenter having left his distinct trademark of style.

The original exquisitely carved counter where train tickets were purchased still stands and became part of the restaurant as a bar.  Wooden handrails divide areas in the station and along the walls are evidence of what once was.  A framed plaque from 1910 gives a description of how to tend the boilers that once heated the station and photos of steam trains line the walls.

On Saturday, the owners the Johnston family, held a mammoth yard sale that featured antiques from the 1800s.   In the near future, an auction will be held to sell literally everything that is in the building ... photos, furnishings, dishes, stemware, industrial pots and pans and much more.

Giant yard sale

From dishes to flowers, everything has to go

According to the sources, at one time Town Council had been asked to designate the building as historical as a preservation measure but the request was turned down.

 A fine dining display reminiscent of what was

Now, many residents are concerned as to what will happen to the train station that saw most people in Southampton pass through at one time or another.

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Sunday, August 01, 2010