Canadian Pacific Railway Station

Designed by Montreal architects Barott, Blackader and Webster in 1912-1914, and built by New York contractors, this imposing structure is Vancouver’s fourth C.P.R. Station. The first C.P.R. Station was a small building located on the shore of Burrard Inlet, built in 1887. The second station was built in 1897 at the foot of Granville Street. The current station at the foot of Granville street was built in 1914.

Ten giant order free-standing Ionic columns form the city’s most impressive classically inspired colonnade. The Neoclassical Revival was considered to be the most appropriate style for large civic train stations, such as New York’s Pennsylvania station, completed two years earlier. The building continues to function as an important transportation centre.

The C.P.R. Station was Vancouver’s major transportation hub during the First World War. All departing soldiers boarded trains in Vancouver, travelling east to Halifax by rail, before boarding a ship to Europe.

Source

Vancouver Heritage Inventory Summary Report II 1986, Courtney Stickland "The forgotten front": a walking tour of Vancouver during the First World War

More information

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Photos+Vancouver+Rail+stations+over+years/9083630/story.html