Opened in 1914, on the new Toronto-Ottawa line, this station reflected the western-based Canadian Northern's ambition to compete directly with the established Canadian Pacific Railway in populous Ontario in an attempt to achieve Transcontinental status. Probably designed by company architect R.B. Pratt of Winnipeg, the building featured the low profile, linear arrangement and wide projecting eves common to many small stations. Its decorative turret, individualized styling and substantial construction were, however, a signal departure from the Canadian Northern's usual practice of building cheaply from standard plans.