St. Thomas (Ontario)

St Thomas is where the famous elephant, Jumbo, met his death in 1885, when he was hit and killed by a train - you can see the statue commemorating this event at the west end of town.

The oldest church in the area. Surrounded by the graveyard, it sits in the older section of town, undisturbed by the modernization going on around it.

From 1812 to yesterday. The museum is easily accessed from Sunset Drive (old Hwy 4). The famous Jumbo the Elephant statue is a two-minute stroll east of the museum.

Housed in the historic Michigan Central Railroad Shop. A massive model train layout simulating life in the mid 20th century. The display models the operations of Southern Ontario Railways between Windsor and Niagara Falls when steam, diesel, and electric railways were all competing. The museum collection to date comprises steam, diesel and electric engines, cabooses, baggage cars and wagons, jiggers, hand cars and thousands of pieces of railway ephemera. The museum is accessible to people with mobility needs - please reserve in advance.

Completed in 1873, it made St. Thomas part of a continent-wide rail system that brought growth and prosperity to this community. Tours will take you to the waiting rooms, dining room and second floor administrative headquarters. You will view artifacts of the station, learn about the station’s history, find out about some of its famous visitors, and learn about the North America Railway Hall of Fame inductees. Tours should be pre-booked and are on a donation basis. Gift shop is open M-F 9AM-4PM.

5000 plantings of flowering annuals among ornamental shrubbery surround the neatly-tended lawns, banks, and unique bridges. Kingfisher, Blue Heron, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Kestrel are residents. Arched foot bridges join a chain of tiny islands where turtles, goldfish, and other wildlife are found swimming amongst exotic water lillies. A large playground, and a splash pad whoch is open in July and August. Nature and ski trails.

The old railroad bridge has been converted into a park with plants, benches and sculptures.