Downtown Murals Downtown
St. Thomas is home to twelve beautifully painted murals that
depict the rich History of the Railway Capital of Canada, St. Thomas,
Ontario. Please
note that we are currently looking for quotes on the cost to have our
murals updated. Masonry work and restorative painting to the murals is
needed. Please contact the DDB office for more information at
519-633-5248.
Foundation of Town and Rail
Artist: Paul Mombourquette (London)
Date: 1994 (1st Mural)
Location: Hepburn Parkette, Talbot Street
Sponsored by: On Track Mural Committee
Inscription/Legend: none:
When I'm Big
(Largest Railway Mural in Canada)
Artist: Dan & Peter Sawatsky (Chemainus, B.C.) Date: 1995 (2nd Mural) Size: 30ft(h) x 50ft(w)
Location: Currah Parkette, Flora Street & Talbot Street
Sponsored by: On Track Mural Committee & Print Sales
Inscription/Legend: “The
Railway has had a well documented effect on the economy of St. Thomas
and in area in both times of boom and bust. But we can only imagine the
effect the Railway has had on people’s hopes, dreams and aspirations.
We will never know how many 10 year olds have watched a passing steam
locomotive and thought, “When I’m big, I want to be an engineer.”
The Canada Southern
Artist: Dan & Peter Sawatsky (Chemainus, B.C.) Date: August 1995 (3rd Mural) Location: Talbot Street & New Street Sponsored by: On Track Mural Committee & Mural Print Sales Inscription/Legend: “The
Canada Southern Railway operated in St. Thomas from 1872 until 1881
when it’s operations were leased by the Michigan Central Railway. The
Canada Southern Railway’s legacy to the community is it’s historic
Talbot Street station, of 1872. A town within a town, the station’s
ground floor catered to a travelers’ every need while the upper floor
housed the Railway’s operations. The Station is an architectural gem in
the Italianate tradition and has Federal Heritage Designation.”
Elgin's Finest
Artist: Richard Johnston
Date: 1996-1997 (4th Mural)
Location: 7 White Street & Talbot Street
Sponsored by: Elgin Regiment and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 41
Inscription/Legend: “On
Sunday, June 25th, 1916, a crowd of 20,000 gathered at the Michigan
Central Station to see off the 940 men of the Elgin Regiment’s 91st
Batallion. Travelling by rail from St. Thomas to Halifax, they
crossed the Atlantic aboard the Olympic and landed at Liverpool on July
5th. The 91st saw action in some of the bloodiest battles of World War
I, and one in six died fighting for freedom. Of the family
pictured here a father, a son, and two step sons, only two came back
home."
St. Thomas Street Railway 1906
Artist: Nicholas D. Wilkinson
Date: September 1996 – September 1997 (5th Mural)
Location: Mondamin Street & Talbot Street
Sponsored by: On Track Group, Youth On Track, Heritage Quality Painters, St. Thomas Rent-All, and many volunteers
Inscription/Legend:
“The St. Thomas Street railway opened in 1879. Although it was
originally a horse drawn troll line, the ten-mile line was modernized
with electrical power in 1898. By 1908, St. Thomas was home to seven
different railways. It was then that St. Thomas became "The Railway
City." This mural captures a moment in time, when the clang of the bell
rang by the conductor greeted the citizens of St. Thomas at every stop.
This historical view of Talbot Street looks east from the corner of
Hincks Street. The portion of the track that we see depicted was used
by the South Western Traction Company, whose routes brought people from
London and Port Stanley through the main streets of St. Thomas. This
bustling intersection was the hub of the city. Fortunately, the
majority of the buildings we see here are all still standing while
others, although now mere memories, have become part of our heritage.”
First Car
Artist: Rick Johnston Date: 1998 (6th Mural) Location: Talbot Street & First Avenue (Eastway Ford) Sponsored by: Eastway Ford, On Track and Elgin Community Development Corporation Inscription/Legend: "In
March 1902 Calvin "Cal" W. Ellis purchased a Winton automobile for
$1800, making him St. Thomas' first car owner. The car was made in
Cleveland, purchased in Toronto and was shipped to our city in a
railway boxcar. This horseless carriage was powered with a one-cylinder
moter, attained speeds of 35-40 mph and got 20 miles per gallon of
gasoline. As no service stations existed, all fuel had to be purchased
by the barrel. Built as a one seat runabout, Mr. Ellis later customized
the Winton, installing a bench seat and a third, dash-mounted headlamp.
He is pictured here, with his wife, about 1903. In time, Cal sold this
car to a man in London for $1200 and promptly purchased his second
car... a 4-cylinder Ford."
Harvest Train
Artist: Denise Arsenault Date: November 2000 (7th Mural) Location: Talbot Street, Mortin & Locke Insurance Brokers Sponsored by: City of St. Thomas, 2000 Millennium Committee, Downtown Development Board and On Track. Inscription/Legend: Railcars
were often placed on local railway sidings, where farmers loaded
produce for distant cities... thus creating a national and
international market.
Pere Marquette Railway Yards
Artist: Fred Harrison Date: November 2000 (8th Mural) Location: 18 Elgin Street Sponsored by: City of St. Thomas, 2000 Millennium Committee, Downtown Development Board and On Track. Inscription/Legend:
“At the turn of the Century virtually every family in St. Thomas had
atleast one relative working in the railway industry. The Pere
Marquette Railway had one of the largest workforces including these
blacksmiths circa 1909. In 1903 the Pere
Marquette Railway made direct connections to Detroit from Windsor
through Leamington and Ridgetown to St. Thomas. A lease of the London
& Port Stanley Railway connected Port Stanley and Cleveland. After
1904 running rights to Buffalo on the Michigan Central were obtained.
In 1947 the Chesapeake & Ohio absorbed the Pere Marquette Railway.”
Magic Carpet: A View From Above
Artist: Jennifer DeSorcy Date: November 2000 (9th Mural) Location: St. Catherine Street & Talbot Street Sponsored by: City Of St. Thomas, the 2000 Millenium Committee, the Downtown Development Board and On Track. Inscription/Legend: “St. Thomas as viewed from atop a magic carpet. Over hill and over dale; through town and country by rail.”
Elephants on Parade
Artist: Paul Austin Date: November 2000 (10th Mural) Location: Manitoba Street & Talbot Street Sponsored by: City Of St. Thomas, the 2000 Millennium Committee, the Downtown Development Board, and On Track. Inscription/Legend:
“Circuses traveled from town to town on brightly decorated trains. As a
key railway center, St. Thomas hosted more than its share of circus
pageantry. Elephants, acrobats, orchestras and clowns paraded down
Talbot Street to spark the imagination, lighten the heart and loosen
the purse strings.”
“Talbot Street1964”
by Clark McDougall
Artist: Fred Harrison (Originally by Clark McDougall) Date: 2003 (11th Mural) Location: St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre, 301 Talbot Street Sponsored by: Downtown Development Board, St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre Inscription/Legend: “Clark McDougall was a lifelong resident of St. Thomas
and began painting in water colours at the age 12. In 1963 he began
painting with black enamel. The characteristic trait for which Clark
is now famous. In an effort to collect and preserve our local heritage,
the painting was bought in 1969 by the University Women’s Club and
donated to the Public Art Centre to begin its permanent collection.
Come in and see this and other works by Clark McDougall that are part
of the Timken Foundation Gallery in the St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art
Centre."
Jenning's Mural
Artist: Rick Johnston Date: August 2004 (12th Mural) Location: 432 Talbot St. (back of building) Jennings Furniture Sponsor: Jennings Furniture Inscription/Legend: "Over
100 years ago cabinet and furniture maker W.B. Jennings opened this
furniture business in Downtown St. Thomas. W.B.'s sons Albert and
Wilfred joined their father in the business managing to survive WW1 and
the Great Depression. Following
WWII, Wilfred's daughter, Mary married Squadron Leader S. Albert
(Ab) Hammond who eventually joined his father-in-law in running the
business. in 1953 Wilfred died and Ab continuted to operate the
enterprise until the late 70's when his sons took over.
Today
W.B.'s great great grandsons, Bruce and Scott operate the family owned
business, surrounded by a staff of dedicated people who bring a
commitment for customer satisfaction to their job. Since 1885 Jennings
reputation for customer service, price and quality has taken the test
of time and passed."
For more information contact: Downtown Development Board 545 Talbot St. P.O. Box 520 St. Thomas, ON N5P 3V7 Tel: (519) 633-5248 Fax (519) 633-9019
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