The Project

The Iron Rails That Built A Nation

In 1871, Sir John A. Macdonald made an "impossible promise" — a transnational railway would consolidate the new Dominion by connecting Eastern Canada to British Columbia. Toronto and Montreal, rivals in commerce, culture and politics, were each determined to be the railway's sole gateway to Western Canada.

Ottawa settled on a neutral location. A geographic point in the wilderness of Northern Ontario east of Lake Nipissing and equidistant from Toronto and Montreal, would become the official eastern terminus of the Pacific Railway project. That point was named "Callander Station" and is known today as the town of Bonfield.

Over the next ten years Canada Central Railway, originating at Brockville, Ontario, pushed a rail extension westward along the Ottawa River ending construction just east of Callander Station, creating the thriving workcamp of Ruther Glen. In 1881, the newly incorporated Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) assumed responsibility for construction west of Ruther Glen and the massive project was underway.

Five years later the inaugural CPR passenger train rumbled through Ruther Glen on its way to the Pacific Ocean and fulfillment of Sir John A. Macdonald's promise. Over time, Ruther Glen returned to wilderness. In 1900, the current hamlet of Rutherglen was established nearby.