Plaque was hung in the Library Café at 425 Holland Street West in February, 2017. It accompanies the old Bradford Railway Sign hanging in the Café.
Plaque reads: The railway station in Bradford has a long history serving the leisure travel, commuting and freight needs of our community. Bradford’s economy has always been strongly tied to railway access to Toronto; historically supporting booming livestock industry and facilitating other exports. Wagon loads of wheat were at times lined up back to Bond Head waiting to load their wheat onto rail cars. More recently it serves as a commuter link with Union Station.
The present station was built around 1900 by the Grand Trunk Railway (GTR) in response to strong economic growth tied to industry.
The current station was acquired by GO Transit in December 1998, and over the next number of years undertook extensive renovations to help adapt it to its role as a vital commuter link along the Barrie to Union Station Line. The most significant renovations took place in 2006-2007 with the pouring of a new concrete foundation and the removal of parts of a previous renovation from the 1950s.
"It was a "soft" opening for the new Bradford West Gwillimbury Public LIbrary at 425 Holland Street West (beside Bradford District High School) when it first opened its doors on May 24 - but now it's time to celebrate. ..."
"Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library is on the move! Saturday, April 30, 2011 will be the last day we are open to the public. Doors will be closed at our current location as of Monday, May 2, 2011. Due dates on all materials will be extended and no fines will be applied during the closure. Doors will be open to the public at our new location, 425 Holland St. West, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. All items are to be returned to our new location. As sad as we are to leave our current location we are excited about all the opportunities to come. We welcome you to join us for our Grand Opening Events happening throughout the month of June. Watch for more details."
The structure located at 21 Holland St. West is part of what is known as the Evans Block. The building was raised and Len Saint added a cellar and a foundation. The work was done by Mac Campbell and his team of carpenters. T.W.W. Evans had the building constructed to house his law practice. The upstairs was also used for years by Dr. Ellis, a dentist. The upper floor even served as Bradford Library in the 1930s, run by Mrs. Day. At one time, the offices of Tupling Insurance were also located in this building. In 1957 a fire destroyed several buildings to the east, but this structure was spared. (1, 2)