Humboldt's Historic Sites

Humboldt Railway Station

Fourth Avenue

Canadian Northern and Canadian National
The station was constructed by the Canadian Northern Railway in 1905. The general site of this station and railway yards was chosen primarily because of its proximity to a water supply for the steam locomotives. The site was the halfway point between Winnipeg and Edmonton.

The Canadian Northern Railway reached Humboldt in September of 1904 and regular passenger service between Humboldt and Winnipeg began in June 1905.

The station illustrated the confidence of the Canadian Northern Railway in the viability and potential of its main line from Winnipeg to Edmonton. The station demonstrated the Canadian Northern Railway's guiding business philosophy which dictated that initial construction costs be kept minimal to ensure the profitability of new lines. This station became the key position as the central point between Winnipeg and Edmonton, and as the junction point for the branch line to Melfort. In 1918, due to financial difficulties the Canadian Government took over the Canadian Northern Railway and the name changed to the Canadian National Railway.

Construction and Design
The Humboldt station was built to the specifications of the Special Plan 100-18. The design, with its trademark indented gable dormers, bellcast hip roof and distinctive canopy brackets, bears resemblance to several standardized Third Class station plans in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Successive extensions to the station reflected the Canadian Northern Railway policy of making improvements to facilities only as increasing business justified them.

The station was designated a Heritage Railway Station under the Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act in 1992 by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.