Canaan Union Depot
The past
The story of this historic building traces back to the 1870s, a busy time for American railroads. Across the nation new lines were being built between cities and towns, often crossing over one another. One of these crossings happened in the small town of North Canaan. Located in the northwest corner of Connecticut, North Canaan was a small mining and industry hub for the region.
The Housatonic Railroad, which began serving the area in 1841, spurred the town’s development. Industrial growth along the East Coast led to the charter of several new railroads, including the Connecticut Western Railroad, incorporated in 1868 and completed in 1871. This railroad ran east to west between Hartford, Conn., and Millerton, N.Y., crossing the north-south Housatonic Railroad in North Canaan. Both railroads wanted to provide passenger service to the growing town and rather than building separate stations, they decided to use the diamond crossing to their advantage and build a “union station” jointly owned and served by both railroads.
The Victorian-style building, designed by railroad engineers, incorporated several features allowing it to be jointly served by both railroads. It was constructed at a northeast corner of the diamond and featured wings of equal length for each railroad. A small tower allowed railroad staff controlling the crossing a clear view of the rails in all four directions. The second floor featured a large restaurant where customers could get a meal while waiting for a train. Beyond the functional aspects of the design, the station was visually appealing. A skilled local carpenter, G. H. Bundy, expertly brought the engineer’s designs to life in the artfully crafted arch windows, trim, and other details.
For many years the Canaan Union Depot, as it was officially known, served the two original railroads and continued to welcome passengers. As time passed, the lines changed ownership. Eventually, the New York, New Haven, & Hartford Railroad controlled both original lines. As rail travel demand fell, regular passenger service terminated in 1971 — with the beginning of Amtrak — and the station closed in 1974. Slated for demolition, it was saved by a former Amtrak executive who purchased the building and converted it into a shopping center. Despite the lack of rail service, the station continued to serve as a focal point for the town and was a popular attraction for visitors.
The present
In 2001 the station suffered a massive fire caused by an arson attack. A valiant effort by firefighters brought it under control, but not before half of the station was destroyed. Community members immediately set to the massive effort of rebuilding the station. The Connecticut Railroad Historical Association purchased the surviving structure in 2003 and began funding a rebuilding effort. With help from the Canaan Union Station Association, fundraising efforts raised over $3 million that went towards a complete restoration of the station. The project took until 2018 to complete due to the fundraising challenges.
With its restoration complete, the station has returned to its role as a focal point for the town. It hosts a popular brewery, an accordion shop, and event hall. It also hosts a museum that tells the story of the town, station, and railways that once passed through North Canaan. Of further interest to railfans, the Housatonic Railroad was re-chartered in 1983. Initially operating passenger excursions, Housatonic later extended its reach south to Danbury and north to Pittsfield, Mass., and entered the freight business. Trains roll right by the station as they serve industries in the area and haul cars to and from the interchange with CSX Transportation in Pittsfield.
The future
As part of larger efforts to restore passenger service to western Massachusetts, the Canaan Union Depot has the potential to see regular passenger service in the future. The proposed service would connect with New York City’s Grand Central Terminal and run on the same rails that once carried Housatonic Railroad passengers in the 1800s. The planned service has taken some big first steps, with work almost complete on the portion of the line in Massachusetts to upgrade 37 miles of track to handle passenger service. A detailed proposal created by The Train Campaign includes a planned regional station to serve the North Canaan area and the restored Union Depot is a prime candidate for the station site.
This proposal has significant challenges to overcome, with funding required for most upgrades in Connecticut yet to be secured. For now, the station will continue to serve as both a popular visitor attraction and a source of pride for the community that worked so hard to save it.
