The Rural Voice, 1992-07, Page 34Metropolitan Life
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30 THE RURAL VOICE
Daytripping
History in every stone in St. Marys
The slogan adorning St. Marys'
historic water tower acclaims it as
"The Town Worth Living In". Yet,
centered in the rich agricultural area
of Perth County, Stonetown's unique
limestone architecture and Victorian
beauty make it a pretty terrific place
to visit too.
With its roots dating back to 1841,
St. Marys first attained prominence
and wealth through its milling
industries. Today, it is a thriving
community of 5400 people.
Gord Soutter, Tourism Coordinator
and a resident of the
St. Marys area for 14
years, says St. Marys
is especially popular
with daytrippers and "we work to
keep it that way," he said. "One of
the things the Economic
Development Committee/Tourism
Board looked at over the years is the
importance of having our town
known, yet keeping it nice. I know
I'm biased, but it's a beautiful town
and we didn't want to see it over
commercialized."
The first stop anyone makes in
Stonetown should be the Grand
Trunk Railway station, the VIA Rail
depot and Soutter's office.
Constructed in 1907, the station later
Refurbished buildings made from the
locally -quarried stone give St. Marys
a unique look.
became part of Canadian National
Railways until that company divested
itself of the passenger business. It
was purchased by the town and
refurbished, to be re -opened in 1988.
Finding the railway station is
relatively simple, marked as it is by
bold information signs. Look for the
old water tower, an historical site,
marked by a plaque declaring it as an
American Waterworks landmark.
The tower was
by Bonnie Gropp
retired in early 1987
and a new tower was
built further down James St., but the
old stone pedestal and tank remain as
international and local landmarks.
When visitors arrive at the station
they are asked to sign a visitors'
book, which Soutter says, the
Tourism Board uses for the purpose
of studying the town's tourist
industry. From it they have learned
what it takes to make their guests feel
welcome and how to show them the
best St. Marys has to offer at the
same time.
Tourists are given a "key to St.
Marys" which provides them with