Deep Brook Station

Deep Brook Station

History xxxx - xxxx

This article printed in ?? paper around 1956 is better than anything we could have written here on the wiki describing the history of the station.

Deep Brook Station Removed Due To Modern Transportation Changes
(L. M. D. HENSHAW)

Due to modern rail transportation changes, one of Annapolis County's old landmarks, Deep Brook railway station, is being demolished and moved away to be used for other purposes. Deep Brook is no longer a railway stop and the mail driver, Mr. Keith Harvey, drives to Clementsport twice daily to deliver and pick up mail from the train. It is understood that after the middle of August mail will be delivered to post offices by trucks; while new streamlined, air - conditioned, self - propelled rail diesel cars will be used by the D.A.R. between Halifax and Yarmouth. These “Dayliner” coaches will carry 69 passengers and can reach a top speed of 85 miles per hour.

Sixty-five years ago on July 27th, 1956, the portion of the D.A.R. between Annapolis Royal and Digby, known as “The Missing Link”, was completed, Deep Brook being half way be tween the two. Mr. James R. Vroom, father of the present Deep Brook postmaster. Robert J. Vroom, with his assistant station agent, Herbert Ditmars, sold the first ticket from this station. Mr. Robert W. Purdy Sr., who is still living, was at one time also station agent. Others employed at this station were Capt. Ben jamin R. Clements, Digby Winchester, Carl Nichols and Miss Shirley Vroom, who was the last one to sell railroad tickets.

During World War II when the present Naval Base, HMCS “Cornwallis” was under construction, the increased passenger and shipping business required two station agents. Later, upon completion of a D.A.R. station at Cornwallis, and with Acadian Bus Lines operating, business decreased and finally only caretakers were employed for the station by the D.A.R.

Fifty years ago and since, large shipments of apples, lumber, raw furs, potatoes and turnips were shipped from this station, but with changing times and modern methods of transportation, the little country railroad station has been pushed into the background (like the little red schoolhouse) and is finally, in Deep Brook, being done away with completely.

In the pictures we see Deep Brook station 50 years ago with conductor Albert Herbert in his three-quarter length coat, ladies in “bustles” and "beplumed” hats, James Taylor Ray, James R. Vroom. station agent, little Robert J. Vroom in his knee-length pants and at the side of the station the “taxi” of 1905 — Mrs. John Yorke of Bear River in her “fringed-top buggy” with span of horses, operating a taxi service. During her years of serving the public she rarely missed meeting an incoming train. In another picture we see Deep Brook station as it stood in May 1956; now only parts of the frame stand awaiting removal.

(Picture of Mr. Loran Adams, with his sack of mail and horse and buggy ready to “take off" from Deep Brook post office during World War II. Today this is delivered by car in summer and by jeep in winter by Mr. and Mrs. Keith Harvey).

Parts taken from a poem in Free Press, Bridgetown, 1866.
entitled “We’re Going To Have A Railroad":
“The ancient town, Annapolis, with “Royal” title blest;
Again shall be metropolis, of all the mighty West.
Away, away to Digby, along the ringing rail;
Away, away to Digby, thro’ meadows and thro’ vale.
Then stop that saucy scoundrel
Who says it will not pay;
That there’s not sufficient travelling
To run one coach a day.
For when we get the railroad, securely in our grip,
There’s not a mother’s son of us but w’hat will make a trip.
So now we’ve got the railroad, the first sod has been turned;
Bring out your “taller” candles, and let them all be burned.

Gallery

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  Deep Brook Station, undated, circa 1900.

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  Deep Brook Station 1905.

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  Deep Brook Station in May 1956.

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  Article "Deep Brook Station Removed..."