The idea to change the name of the Craigleith Heritage Depot to Craigleith Station received plenty of support at a recent public meeting.
On Oct. 31, The Blue Mountains council held a public meeting to consider a potential name change for the Depot. The idea originated with The Blue Mountains Public Library Board, which requested a change in the name to the popular and historic heritage building, which is home to the town’s museum and a library branch.
The board said the Depot name is mainly affiliated with a restaurant that was located in the building for a number of years, however, the official name of the building is Craigleith Station.
At the meeting, library CEO Dr. Sabrina Saunders and Museum Curator Alessia Farris outlined the reasons for the request to change the name.
“There is one legal name for this museum. It is the Craigleith Station,” said Saunders.
Farris said the Depot name was more of a “colloquial” reference or “nickname” associated with the facility because of the former restaurant that once occupied the building.
“It was a rail station much longer than a restaurant,” said Farris, who said that from 1878 to 1960 the building was a rail station and it was a restaurant for about 30 years. After the restaurant closed the property was eventually purchased by the town and the building preserved as a museum.
Town staff said the costs of the name change would be minimal. The sign in front of the museum needs to be replaced anyway and two way-finding signs on Highway 26 would need to be changed.
The name change generated plenty of interest from the public. Three residents spoke to council at the meeting and the town also received 14 written comments on the matter.
Two of the three speakers supported the change, while 12 of the 14 written comments were also supportive.
Tom Buchanan has lived near the museum for 36 years and was a regular customer at the former restaurant. He said it was time for the restaurant aspect of the building to fade into history.
“I’m wondering if anybody proposing to keep the name ever frequented the restaurant? I did,” he said. “Let’s move on.”
George Fleming also spoke to council and said continuing to use the name “heritage depot” would be better for driving up visits to the museum.
“I’m a supporter of the present name. It draws people in to see it. We want people to come and learn about the history of Craigleith,” said Fleming, who added that the building had a diverse history of uses. “It was more than just a station. It was used for transporting goods back in the olden times.”
Council made no decisions about the name change at the meeting. A future staff report with a recommendation and summary of the public comments on the issue will come to council in the near future.
