Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
A2007.013A.004 |
Title |
Yarker Station |
Collection |
Florence Ward Baker fonds |
Negative Number |
N-10173 |
Object Name |
Negative, Glass Plate |
Description |
This glass plate negative (black and white) captures a scene of the Yarker railway station. The arear appears largely deserted, with a single horse and cart parked beside the platform in the distance. The wooden siding of the station appears weathered, with paint visibly flaking along the short end of the building nearest the photographer. Telegraph poles line the train tracks, and lines can be seen running to the station itself. The Yarker railway station was located in the community of Yarker, Camden East Township, Lennox and Addington County, Ontario. The village, originally known as Vader’s Mills and later Simcoe Falls, was renamed Yarker in recognition of George Yarker, an industrialist from Kingston. The station was established in 1884 as part of the Napanee, Tamworth & Quebec Railway (NT&Q), which extended its line to Yarker that same year. The station facilitated both passenger and freight transportation, supporting local industries and commerce. In 1889, Yarker became a junction point when the railway extended eastward to Sydenham, a section known as the Harrowsmith Extension. In 1911, the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) acquired the Bay of Quinte Railway system, which included the NT&Q line. The station became a significant point along the expanded rail network when the main line was extended to Ottawa. By 1913, additional track connections were added, and infrastructure improvements were made, including a freight shed, a turning wye, water and coal facilities, and a small rail yard. The station building was a two-storey wooden structure with a one-storey freight shed extension. The ground floor included a waiting room, ticket and operator’s office, and a freight and express room, while the upper floor served as living quarters for the station agent and their family. The station remained operational under Canadian National Railway (CNR) until its closure in the mid-20th century. The station building was removed, likely in the 1950s. While the station no longer exists, remnants of the railway infrastructure, including a bridge crossing the Napanee River, remain in the area. |
Year Range from |
1884 |
Year Range to |
1897 |
Extent |
10 cm h x 12.5 cm w |
Photographer |
Unknown |
Search Terms |
Bay of Quinte Railway Canadian National Railway (CNR) Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) Canadian rail history Napanee, Tamworth & Quebec Railway (NT&Q) Railroad tracks Train stations Yarker (Ont.) |
Subjects |
Freight cars—Ontario Railroad stations—Ontario Railroads—Ontario 1880's 1890's |