Hope’s historic station house was moved from beside the train tracks to Old Hope Princeton Way in the late 1980s and renamed Rainbow Junction. This coming year, the 1916 building will be torn down. (photo courtesy of Gerda Borden)

‘How dare you destroy my history?’: An ode to the Hope Station House

Echo Johnson imagines the history of Hope's 1916 station house and calls for its preservation

Editor:

In 1916, with the First World War raging in Europe, Hope was to be my new home.

A very busy area to serve. Telegrams sent and received, some with joyous news, others sad and heartbreaking.

My platform was very busy. Boxes, containers and other items, incoming and outgoing.

Royalty received first as a princess, then as our reigning Queen Elizabeth. How proud to have royalty on my platform.

Hope citizens, school children, everyone in town at my location.

The Royal Hudson also paid me a visit and brought so many memories of steam engines, then diesel.

And now relocation. Hard-working, dedicated people with wonderful ideas for me at my new location. Serving the community with arts, crafts and music.

But over time, sadly, my great doors have been closed.

With great difficulty and a sad and heavy heart, I must tell you I am going to be destroyed. Taken down.

How dare you destroy my history, the wonderful years I served your community and area?

Please save me, to be relocated and become Hope’s new museum. How appropriate. A 1916 historical building, the new museum.

Signed, former C.N.R. Station, present Station House

(by Echo Johnson)

Hope Standard