Schomberg and Aurora Railway
Encyclopedia
The Schomberg and Aurora Railway (S&AR, also nicknamed the "Annie Roonie") was a 36 km long railway in Ontario, Canada, running from the town of Schomberg
to Oak Ridges
, just south of Aurora
. It connected Schomberg to the Toronto and York Radial Railway
(T&YRR) tram
service running along Yonge Street
, and from there into the Toronto
city proper. The service ran for 25 years between 1902 and 1927; the rails were pulled up shortly thereafter.
. The T&YRR had greatly increased visitors to similar markets in Newmarket
(which is how it got its name) and they were hoping to do the same for Schomberg. The company was chartered in 1896, and construction started out from the Bond Lake area south of Aurora in July 1899.
The line was completed and opened for traffic in August 1902, an oddity that used steam trains to connect to the much smaller electrified trams. There were four stations in total, Aurora, Eversley Station on Dufferin Street
, Kettleby Station at the corner of Kettleby Road and Weston Road, and Schomberg Station in the middle of Main Street in Schomberg.
The S&AR operated independently for only two years before it was absorbed into the T&YRR family, part of William Mackenzie
's railway empire. In 1916 the line was electrified and connected to the mainline on Yonge, allowing full interchange of cars. The line was never very busy, and as the T&YRR scaled back operations the S&AR was closed in 1927. Attempts by residents in Schomberg to reopen the line failed, and the rails were removed the next year.
Portions of the former right-of-way remain easily visible on aerial photos today, notably the portions closer to Schomberg. The final few hundred yards were incorporated into Dr. Kay Road in Schomberg, running between Main Street and the much newer Highway 27 to the east. Other portions have been incorporated in the nearby 19th Sideroad, Lloyd's Lane and Brule Trail, but development to the east of Highway 400 makes it more difficult to follow.
Schomberg, Ontario
Schomberg is an unincorporated village in northwestern King, Ontario, Canada. Situated north of the Oak Ridges Moraine and south of the Holland River, the village is surrounded by natural attractions....
to Oak Ridges
Oak Ridges, Ontario
Oak Ridges is an unincorporated community in Ontario, Canada, and has been part of Richmond Hill's administrative area since its annexation in 1971. Although physically separate and distinct from Richmond Hill, it forms the northern portion of the municipality's boundary. Located about 16.5 km...
, just south of Aurora
Aurora, Ontario
Aurora is an affluent town in York Region, approximately 20 km north of Toronto. It is partially situated on the Oak Ridges Moraine, and is a part of the Greater Toronto Area and Golden Horseshoe of Southern Ontario.Many Aurora residents commute to Toronto and surrounding communities.In the...
. It connected Schomberg to the Toronto and York Radial Railway
Toronto and York Radial Railway
The Toronto and York Radial Railway operated radial transit services outside of Toronto. Service began in 1904 with the merger of several operators:* Metropolitan Street Railway...
(T&YRR) tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
service running along Yonge Street
Yonge Street
Yonge Street is a major arterial route connecting the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto to Lake Simcoe, a gateway to the Upper Great Lakes. It was formerly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street in the world at , and the construction of Yonge Street is designated an "Event of...
, and from there into the Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
city proper. The service ran for 25 years between 1902 and 1927; the rails were pulled up shortly thereafter.
History
The S&AR started at the request of a Schomberg businessman who wanted to open the local produce markets to day-trippers from TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. The T&YRR had greatly increased visitors to similar markets in Newmarket
Newmarket, Ontario
Newmarket is a town in Southern Ontario located approximately 50 km north of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area and is connected to Toronto by freeway, and is served by three interchanges along Highway 404. It is also connected to Highway 400 via Highway 9...
(which is how it got its name) and they were hoping to do the same for Schomberg. The company was chartered in 1896, and construction started out from the Bond Lake area south of Aurora in July 1899.
The line was completed and opened for traffic in August 1902, an oddity that used steam trains to connect to the much smaller electrified trams. There were four stations in total, Aurora, Eversley Station on Dufferin Street
Dufferin Street
Dufferin Street is a major north-south street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is a concession road, two concessions west of Yonge Street. The street starts at the foot of Lake Ontario, continues north to Toronto's northern boundary with some discontinuities and continues into York Region where it...
, Kettleby Station at the corner of Kettleby Road and Weston Road, and Schomberg Station in the middle of Main Street in Schomberg.
The S&AR operated independently for only two years before it was absorbed into the T&YRR family, part of William Mackenzie
William Mackenzie (railway entrepreneur)
Sir William Mackenzie was a Canadian railway contractor and entrepreneur.Born near Peterborough, Ontario, Mackenzie became a teacher and politician before entering business as the owner of a sawmill and gristmill in Kirkfield, Ontario...
's railway empire. In 1916 the line was electrified and connected to the mainline on Yonge, allowing full interchange of cars. The line was never very busy, and as the T&YRR scaled back operations the S&AR was closed in 1927. Attempts by residents in Schomberg to reopen the line failed, and the rails were removed the next year.
Portions of the former right-of-way remain easily visible on aerial photos today, notably the portions closer to Schomberg. The final few hundred yards were incorporated into Dr. Kay Road in Schomberg, running between Main Street and the much newer Highway 27 to the east. Other portions have been incorporated in the nearby 19th Sideroad, Lloyd's Lane and Brule Trail, but development to the east of Highway 400 makes it more difficult to follow.
External links
- King Township History & Heritage, includes a map showing the S&AR route.
- Annotated image of workers on the S&AR
