St. Thomas is a city of just under 40,000 people, located in southwestern Ontario about 30 km south of London and Highway 401, about midway to Port Elgin on Lake Erie. Because of its proximity to Lake Erie, St. Thomas has a mild regional climate. St. Thomas has a strong industrial heritage, historically known for manufacturing and railroad-related industries. The city was a major railway hub in the past.
St Thomas History
The area was originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples, including the Neutral and Algonquin nations.
St. Thomas was established as a community around 1800 and became a village in 1810. It was named after Thomas Talbot, a colonel and a leading figure in the early settlement of Upper Canada (now Ontario). Colonel Talbot played a significant role in the War of 1812, and thereafter in the development of the region including the construction of roads and the allocation of land to settlers.
With the arrival of the railways in 1870, St. Thomas became a key transportation hub. The Canada Southern Railway (often shortened to “CASO”), later part of the Michigan Central Railroad, established a divisional point in St. Thomas, which included the railway repair shops, and contributed to the town’s economic growth.
The railway facilitated the growth of local industries including various manufacturers, who produced goods including furniture, cigars, and carriages. On a sad note, in 1885 Dumbo the Elephant, part of the P.T. Barnum Circus, was killed in St Thomas when struck by a train here.
The supplanting of the railway by truck transportation after the 1950s cost many railway jobs in St. Thomas. In recent decades, St. Thomas has diversified its economy, focusing on healthcare, education, and other sectors.
The town has preserved its historical architecture, and heritage sites like the Elgin County Courthouse and the CASO Station (Canada Southern Railway Station) contribute to its charm.