Historic Cobalt train station seeing interest from southern buyers
The current owner of Cobalt’s old Ontario Northland train station intended it for his wife to open an antique shop, before she fell ill.
Their realtor, Suzanne Othmer, told CTV News the owners are hoping someone with a vision and the finances can bring it back to life.
“If somebody wanted to have a brewery, restaurant-type or even artists,” said Othmer.
“That building in the summer is so beautiful because you open all the windows and the doors and you have a nice breeze coming in and it’s overlooking the lake.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Undated photo of the former Ontario Northland train station in Cobalt during the summer. (Photo courtesy of Realtor.ca)”Built in 1905, Cobalt’s train station quite literally carried the town through its silver boom that made it known as the silver capital of the world.Plans for the historic train station in Cobalt dated 1909. (Photo courtesy of Realtor.ca)“In 1919, the Prince of Wales visited Cobalt and there’s pictures of him at the train station, coming off the train,” said Othmer.
Since ceasing service in 2012, the town had taken it over, using it for a military museum and an interpretation centre.
“Constructed like others of its kind at the time, it was reliable and almost all of the original architecture remains,” Othmer said.The interior of the former Ontario Northland train station in Cobalt. (Photo courtesy of Realtor.ca)Plans have been drawn to renovate the upper level into apartments, while the main floor can be used for commercial space.
The main entrance gives way to what was originally a ladies-only lounge.
“You walk into the other room, which is where the conductor would have been,” said Othmer.
“And there’s a large safe there, that’s still there.”
Then opening up to the main lobby — with vaulted ceilings, restored beams and original subway tiles reminiscent of Toronto’s Union Station, which shares the same architect, John M. Lyle.
The property has been listed for almost a year now and Othmer said it’s recently been gaining interest from potential buyers from southern Ontario, who may have the capital to renovate the building’s interior.
The exterior of the former Ontario Northland train station in Cobalt. (Photo courtesy of Realtor.ca)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.