Avonport

Avonport, Nova Scotia

Mile 43.45 from Windsor Junction on the Halifax Subdivision (Mile 59.26 from Halifax)

• Next Station East: Hantsport
• Next Station West: Horton Landing

Description & History

A farming community located between the mouths of the Avon and Gaspreaux Rivers, Avonport was an important location during the construction of the Windsor and Annapolis Railway as it marked the railhead for the construction of the Gaspereaux Bridge, a challenging crossing which was the last link to be completed for the W&AR in 1869. Avonport initially had a small 9' x 12' shelter and a 10' x 100' platform. However the community soon received a standard W&A style station with a waiting room, operator bay and small baggage room. The station was notable for having one of the first female station agents on the DAR. A large brickworks, later Shaw Bricks, was established at Avonport as an important DAR customer, before the company moved to the Enfield area along the CNR after World War I. Avonport was also the site of an applewarehouse. The station building was later destaffed and eventually sold to become a storage shed, leaving Avonport to become a flag stop during the final years of the DAR.

Gallery

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  Topographic map from Avonport to Shaws Bog circa 1956.

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  The Gaspereaux River Bridge looking east over the Gaspereaux River at Hortonville with Avonport in the distance.

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  Avonport old station and station flagstop sign, November 18, 1962.

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  Avonport old station side view of west end moved to siding as storage shed, November 18, 1962.

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  Avonport Station trackside view of old station moved to siding, November 18, 1962.

References & Footnotes

• 1969 Memorandum of General Information