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The St. Lawrence & Ottawa Railway

Location: The subject line is located in eastern Ontario, connecting the St. Lawrence River community of Prescott with the nation's capital, Ottawa to the north.

History: During the mid 1800's, the community of Bytown (the previous name of Ottawa) had grown into a major lumber town where a number of saw mills had become established to process the timber that flowed in on the Ottawa, Rideau and other major rivers from miles around. During the summer, the finished product was sent down the Ottawa River to Montreal and American markets. During the winter, however, the movement of product was more difficult. In order to address the situation, a group of local businessmen incorporated in August 1850 the Bytown & Prescott Railway. Their intention was to construct a line south from Bytown to Prescott on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. From there, the lumber would be transported across the river by barge to Ogdensburg where a separate railway venture was under construction. Surveying of the line began in 1851 with construction commencing in September of that year. Progress was slow given the number of bridges required and swamps that needed to be filled. The line was finally open for traffic in December 1854.

Not long after the opening, the railway began to suffer financial difficulties, not being able to meet its bills. Much of this had to do with the inability of the company to gain appropriate access to where the majority of the saw mills existed. Accordingly, the line was reorganized in December 1855 as the Ottawa & Prescott Railway. Problems continued to plague the line, however, forcing the company into receivership in January 1862. In order gain much needed income, arrangements were made with the Grand Trunk Railway to lay a third line from their main line south to the harbour facilities where the GTR could connect with the harbour facilities (both companies operated tracks at a different gauge). With the change in status, the line was once again reorganized, this time as the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Railway in 1867. By now, the fortunes of the company began to improve, inducing the construction of a branch line in December 1871 from Smyth's Crossing (Chaudiere Junction) to the Canada Central Railway yard where improved access could be had to the sawmill district. Further expansions were proposed to Pembroke, into Quebec, and up to Lake Nipissing but nothing ever came of these plans. Other changes included the construction of grain elevators in Prescott that were needed to store grain transhipped either from the railways or the varying sizes of ships passing through the canal systems.

During the early 1880's, the financial status of the railway once again fell into question, ultimately leading to receivership. Following this event, a gentleman by the name of Duncan McIntyre managed to purchase control of the company in the interest of the Canadian Pacific Railway, directly under the nose of the Grand Trunk. Accordingly, the entire line was leased to the Canadian Pacific as of September 1881 for a period of 999 years. The move not only ensured that the line would remain out of the hands of the Grand Trunk, but as well provided improved access for the CPR into downtown Ottawa. The other advantage was the addition of port facilities in Prescott with access to American connections across the river. For a number of years to come, Prescott would remain a busy point with the constant transfer of products between the railways and the shipping and ferrying interests.

Approximate Milage: 55 miles.

Current Status: The line is currently operated by the St. Lawrence & Hudson Railway, a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific, as the Prescott Subdivision.

Principle Stations: Prescott, Kemptville, Osgoode, Manotick and Ottawa.

Remaining Stations: There are two stations remaining from the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Railway. They are as follows:
1. Manotick Station: Moved to property at 6020 Mitch Owens Road as a residence.
2. Spencerville: Building dismantled, rebuilt as a Royal Canadian Legion on Main Street in town.

Last Updated: December 31, 1997

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