Windsor Station
Hear the rumble of the train on the rails as it clatters into Windsor Station. As one of North America’s oldest preserved railway stations, Windsor Station is a beautiful historic landmark. Built in 1887, Windsor Station is a model of classic architecture. Stunningly maintained for well over a century, Windsor Station now stands as a prime example of the beautiful historic buildings you’ll find in Montreal. On your next rental car in Montreal vacation, park your car and explore the rails at historic Windsor Station. Located at 1100 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montreal, Windsor Station is easy to find in your rental car in Montreal. Today, no trains will be found trundling through the Station; however, it still stands as one of Montreal’s top landmarks.
Becoming a National Historic Site
Across the vast expanse of Canada, there are approximately 1000 sites and monuments which have been designated as “historic.” In the heart of old Montreal, you’ll find one of the most impressive and spectacular historic sites in all of Canada, Windsor Station. Classified as a Grand Romanesque Revival railway station, Windsor Station gained designation as a National Historic Site and Heritage Railway Station in 1990. As an integral part of old Dorchester Square, and as an original piece of the Montreal skyline, Windsor Station is a must see location on your rental car in Montreal vacation. Get out your camera, stroll around the base of this building, and marvel at the stunning architecture.
Listen to the trains on the tracks
If you close your eyes, you just might here the trains rolling through historic Windsor Station. Today, the only sound you’ll hear in your rental car in Montreal vehicle is the rumble of other vehicles. Windsor Station however, was once one of Canada’s grandest railway stations. From 1889 until 1978, Windsor Station served as Montreal’s main railway hub. The station also served as the headquarters for the Canadian Pacific Railway. When VIA Rail arrived in Montreal in 1978, the majority of trains were diverted away from Windsor Station. In 1993, Windsor Station was severed from the rail system forever during the construction of the Molson Centre.
Today, Windsor Station is used as an office building. The Canadian Pacific Railway still uses a portion of the building for certain operations. As well, the main concourse is home to a world famous annual beer festival. Other operations in the building include a number of offices, hotels, and restaurants. On your next rental car in Montreal excursion, discover the historic side, and the new contemporary appeal of Windsor Station.
Building the building
From the first brick in 1887 until the final touches in 1916, Windsor Station was a masterpiece of architecture and engineering. Costing $2 million to originally build in 1887, Windsor Station has since undergone dozens of major renovations. Designed by Bruce Price, Windsor Station is a fixture along the Montreal skyline. Originally much smaller, Windsor Station underwent major additions in 1900, 1906, 1909, and 1954. The massive 15-story tower, hundreds of Romanesque arches, and the intricate design, maintain this fantastic building as the centerpiece of Dorchester Square and downtown old Montreal. Park your rental car in Montreal vehicle and take a stroll around Windsor Station and the rest of old Montreal. Today, the interior of Windsor Station is open to the public and shows few signs of the original structure. Modernized for usability, safety, and functionality, Windsor Station is now a historic gem on the exterior, and a comfortable and luxurious office space on the interior.
The next time you visit Montreal with TransCanada rental car in Montreal, take the time to appreciate old Montreal and the exquisite, ornate, landmarks that speckle the historic downtown streets. Windsor Station, one of these landmarks, stands as a reminder of the city’s legendary past and is still a top destination for rental car in Montreal customers.