Today in Canadian Antiques History: The CPR Legacy Lives On!

Jul 11

Written By John

🗓️ Today in Canadian Antiques History – July 11th

Hey there antique lovers,

Did you know that on this day in 1885, the brand-new Canadian Pacific Railway was reshaping how goods and Canadian-made craftsmanship spread across the country?

As trains rolled into small towns, so did beautifully crafted furniture, tools, and station fixtures made by our own Canadian artisans. Today, these items are some of the most collectible relics of our nation-building years.

🚂 What Should You Look For?

Here’s what we recommend keeping your eyes peeled for:

CPR-branded relics (think old timetables, luggage tags, or station signage)

Railway lanterns & signal lamps (bonus if stamped with maker's initials)

Station furniture (hefty, handmade pieces using Canadian hardwood)

🇨🇦 Did You Know?

Grand Trunk Railway, CPR’s rival, also left behind a collector’s dream: brass keys, conductor caps, parts and signage are all considered rare due to post-nationalization scrapping.