CPR Station, Saskatoon

The Saskatoon CPR Station, located on Idylwyld Drive North in the Caswell Hill neighborhood, stands as a proud symbol of Saskatoon’s early ambition and growth. Constructed between 1907 and 1908 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, this stately two-story brick and stone building is the city’s only surviving original railway depot and a designated National Historic Site of Canada.

Built in the Château style, the station reflects both architectural grandeur and civic optimism during Saskatoon's building boom. Unlike many rural wooden depots, this custom-designed station-modeled after Edmonton's grand Strathcona Station-spoke volumes about the city's rising importance on the Canadian Prairies. The CPR’s decision to construct a station of this scale marked Saskatoon as a serious player in Western Canada's rail network.

At the time, Saskatoon was served by three major rail lines-CPR, Canadian Northern, and Grand Trunk Pacific-earning it the nickname "Hub City." The station once housed men’s and women’s waiting rooms, a telegraph office, baggage facilities, and space for conductors. Positioned strategically between Winnipeg and Edmonton, it served as a vital link for trade and travel across the region.

Though it ceased rail operations by 1960 and was later converted into office space, the CPR Station was saved from obscurity through thoughtful redevelopment in the early 1990s. Today, it houses various businesses, but its historic character remains intact. The building has received multiple accolades, including the 1995 SAHS Heritage Architecture Excellence Award and a City of Saskatoon Heritage Award in 1996.

Designated under the Federal Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act in 1990 and as a Municipal Heritage Property in 1994, the CPR Station continues to embody the city’s past as a transportation hub and its enduring architectural legacy.