Did you know the first spike in the CPR Trans-Continental Railway was driven in Bonfield?
Indeed, it was, and now, a group of local historians and history buffs want to make sure everyone knows that fact, along with other gems from the township’s railway history. That first spike alone was enough to secure Bonfield into the Canadian Railway Hall of Fame, as the township was inducted in October of 2022.
Since then, “several groups had tried to get together to document all of the historical files,” relating to the railway history of Bonfield, explained Ann Carr, Bonfield’s Planning Administrator. “But that has never been accomplished.”
Now it’s time to get that history train back on track.
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With council’s blessing, a new not-for-profit committee will officially form to celebrate the region’s heritage. The group will consist of and be driven by volunteers. The reason council was asked to approve the project is because the township’s Planning Administrator, Ann Carr, will sit on the committee and serve as the liaison between the group and council.
The group is still in the preliminary stages, but planning is underway. An initial meeting was held in early February at the Township Office. Steve Philpott, who helps drive the Fire Up 503 initiative was there, as was Bonfield’s “unofficial historian,” Elmer Rose. That first meeting was rounded out by local history enthusiast Caren Gagne, Holley Menard, from the Lions Club, along with the township’s Chief Administrative Officer and Planning Administrator, Carr.
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Although in its early days, the committee has outlined a few priorities. The Lions Club is already planning to paint the caboose, and there are ideas floating about on how to arrange for a large, commemorative spike to be displayed prominently. The group would also like to see some highway signs to call attention to the township’s rail history.
All told, the purpose of the new group is to preserve the history of Bonfield’s connection to the railroad, as well as the township’s overall history. Exactly how this will be achieved will be discussed, however, the group so far is dedicated to bringing Bonfield’s history into the light for all to see.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
