Sackville landmark celebrates centennial

First time visitors to Sackville often comment on its rich architectural heritage. This is particularly true of the many heritage homes, some of which date from the nineteenth century's "Golden Age of Sail."
Too numerous to list, they are found principally in the vicinity of "Captains Corner" at the junction of Main Street and Queens Road, and on Salem, Charlotte, Main and York streets. The continuation of Main Street in Middle Sackville can also lay claim to a number of historic homes.
Unfortunately, several major fires during the 20th century, took their toll of public buildings and businesses within the town. This has meant that architecturally important buildings in this category are few in number. For example: a mysterious fire in late March of 1938 destroyed several businesses, including the J. H. Mills Hardware Store and the premises of the Sackville Post. This was followed just over a year later, by another major fire, which destroyed the Middle Sackville store and warehouse of J. L. Black and Sons. It was one of the oldest businesses in the area.
On a happier note, this year marks the centennial of one of Sackville's architectural gems. It's the present Via Rail Station on Lorne Street. Dating from 1907-08, this attractive building has been serving the public for just over a century. Thus it is one of the oldest public buildings in the town. However, it was not Sackville's first railway station. The latter was located to the west of the present structure.
On the night of July 28, 1908 a major fire broke out in the Enterprise Foundry. Soon out of control, it left the plant in ruins. It also destroyed the Intercolonial Hotel and the old railway station which had been used as a freight shed. Thanks to the newly formed Sackville Fire Department, aided by members of the Amherst Fire Brigade who travelled by the Maritime Express to Sackville, the new railway station was saved from destruction - a few months following its opening!
During the latter part of the 19th early 20th centuries there was an expansion of rail service within Canada. It was during this period that the present Sackville railway station was constructed. Built to conform to the attractive chalet style of architecture, it was similar to new Intercolonial stations in other parts of the country. A press release dated March 1908 provides a word picture of the appearance of the building.
"The new Sackville railway station is built of grey free stone from the nearby Wood Point and Rockport quarries. Its extended eaves add to the attractiveness of the structure. Over 100 feet in length, the east end houses the women's waiting room. A passage runs by the ticket office and on to the men's waiting room. Within the latter, swinging doors open to a smoking room.
Next is the baggage room, painted a dark green, and a small office for the baggage master. The building is fitted throughout with hardwood flooring and walls of beech and maple panelling. The ceiling is of catalina pine. These handsome woods and the appropriate metal work are most pleasing. The office is bright and roomy with heavy plate glass windows.
There is a stairway leading to the cellar where a large Robb furnace has been installed. The building is heated by hot water and lighted throughout by electricity. There are electric lights along the outside platform. All office facilities, including the telegraph instruments are new."
Although the exterior of the building has changed but little over the last century, it's obvious that the interior has been drastically remodeled. A hangover from the Victorian era - separate waiting rooms for men and women - was one of the first things to go. The east waiting room was redesigned to accommodate the general public. The "passage" that linked the former two waiting rooms was eliminated to provide more office space. A section of the west end of the building later became a storage area.
Over the years the Sackville railway station has been a silent witness to many important events. During two world wars, troop trains carrying service personnel destined for overseas, normally made a stop in Sackville. The famous relief train from Boston, bound for Halifax at the time of the Explosion in 1917, also paused briefly at Sackville. For many years the railway station was the junction point where trains from Cape Tormentine met the Maritime Express on its way to and from Montreal. In reverse it was the place where people waited for trains arriving from or destined for "The Island."
During the first half of the 20th century trains were occasionally chartered for major events. In the summer months they often carried people from Moncton and/or Sackville "to the shore."
In addition, there are still Mount Allison alumni who fondly recall the "special trains" that transported spectators and teams to Rugby [no Canadian Football then!] and hockey games at other Maritime universities.
The Sackville railway station has been called upon twice to provide a backdrop for Royal visits. On June 13, 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth stopped briefly in Sackville on their way to Prince Edward Island. Their Majesties posed on the platform of the observation rail car, much to the delight of hundreds of spectators. All the more so, since this was technically an "unscheduled" stop for the famous blue, silver and gold Royal Train.
A postscript concerning this Royal visit is worthy of note. The following day, at Cape Tormentine, before the King and Queen embarked for Charlottetown, a presentation was made to their Majesties, on behalf of the citizens of Amherst. It was a "beautifully framed photograph" depicting "Clouds Over The Tantramar." The gift was the work of The Clares photography shop in Sackville.
On Nov. 2, 1951 Princess Elizabeth (accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh) were welcomed during a short stopover by Sackville's Mayor Dr. Arnold Cuthbertson and Mrs. Cuthbertson. The town council had earlier made a wise decision not to compile a list of "twenty worthy citizens" to be presented to the Royal couple. This action was taken to provide more time for the general public to take advantage of the event. It was claimed that "every available space" in the vicinity of the railway station was occupied.
In honour of the occasion, a special souvenir program, "on parchment and bound with hand tooled leather," was designed by the students and faculty of Mount Allison's fine arts department. It was was presented to the Royal couple by Brownie Carolyn Stultz and Cub Alan Crimmons. The Mount Allison Choral Society under the direction of Dr. Alfred Whitehead sang an anthem, and two companies of Brownies and Cubs formed a march past. In the words of one reporter "all too soon the never to be forgotten Royal visit was over."
A longer Royal visit to Sackville took place in 1984 when Queen Elizabeth visited the town as part of the New Brunswick Bicentennial celebrations. However, on this occasion she travelled by automobile from Moncton. The Sackville ceremonies were held at MacAulay Field on the Mount Allison campus.
Following this event, Her Majesty enjoyed the hospitality of the Marshlands Inn, before returning to Moncton and her return flight to England. In 1939, 1951 and again in 1984 the Sackville Citizens Band was on hand, not only to greet the Royal visitors, but to add to the enjoyment of the large crowds gathered on these occasions.
The importance of the railway, both to the economy of Sackville and the people who live here, is sometimes overlooked. It is, and has been from its very beginning, a convenience for the general public and particularly generations of Mount Allison students.
However, access by rail is more significant than a travel convenience. Sackville's prime location on the Halifax-Montreal rail line and the Trans Canada Highway are both key economic assets, to be utilized as the town contemplates its future.
Meanwhile, Sackville's architecturally significant railway station continues to serve the public, as it enters its second century!
Ideas for, or comments about Tantramar Flashbacks, may be addressed to Bill Hamilton in care of the Sackville Tribune Post, 80 Main Street, Sackville, NB, E4L 4A7, or via e-mail at tribune@nbnet,nb.ca A selection of previous Flashbacks may be found in recent on line issues of this newspaper and at www.billhamiltonflashback.ca.