From the Beehive E83 - The Railway That Transformed St. Thomas | City Expansion & History

You've heard of Hell's Half Acre, but what about Devil's Half Acre?

In this episode, we're back with Councillor "Professor" Steve Peters in front of the historic expansion map of St. Thomas, diving into a pivotal moment in the city's history—the arrival of the railway in 1870.

🚂 When the Canada Southern Railway and Great Western Railway were announced, St. Thomas and Elgin County went all-in, investing heavily to secure their place on the map. But there was one problem—the town didn’t have the land needed to accommodate the railway’s shops and stations. So what happened?

Learn all about it along with:
🌳 Street naming and what areas of town were influenced by specific themes
🏢 How Talbot Street became the heart of the city’s commerce and industry
🔥 And what’s the deal with the Devil’s Half Acre, and the infamous Canada Southern Hotel that resisted annexation until 1913?

​Join us as we uncover the impact of the railway, the continued growth that shaped the city, and the industrial boom that followed.