In 1905, the Hamilton Radial Electric Railway (HRER) built an extension from Burlington east to Oakville. A new combined station and electric substation was built in Oakville, at the corner of Randall & Thomas Streets. Weekend service between Oakville and Hamilton began in March of 1906, with full service the following May.
The Oakville station remained in service with the HRER until August 3, 1925, when the line was abandoned east of Guelph Line. The building became the headquarters of the Oakville Water and Light Commission, later the Oakville Public Utilities Commission. The station was later sold and converted for commercial uses, and was granted heritage status by the town of Oakville in August of 1995.
The old station was extensively renovated starting in 2015 and finishing in 2019. A new multi-story mixed use building was built on the south side of the station, while the station itself was refurbished and largely restored to its original appearance. A new third floor was built and the staion was converted to office and residential use. Design work was done by ATA Architects of Oakville.
(All photos © Tom Luton, except where noted)
The north side of the station, facing Randall Street
The west side of the station. The large tower was the location of the electrical substation, and the windows are a recent renovation.
The south side of the station. When I took this photo the station was home to Lilianne, a cosmetic beauty clinic and spa
Historical photos
B&H #315 at the HRER's Oakville station, date unknown. (Photo courtesy of the Toronto Public Library, Digital Collections)
This postcard shows a night time winter scene at the HRER Oakville Station. From all the lighting this looks like a staged publicity shot. The postcard is postmarked Aug 18 1910, so the latest this can be is winter 1909/1910.
This unused postcard shows HTC #603 at the HRER's Oakville station, circa WWI.
Notice of Heritage Designation Old Radial Railway Station 139 Thomas Street PT LT A, BLK 2, PL 1, PT 1 20R19181, Ontario Heritage Trust, April 4, 2019. https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/en/index.php/oha/details/file?id=11975
