The Canadian Northern Railway Station in the Town of Athabasca was built in 1912. On May 14 of that year, the last section of railway track was laid. Eleven days later, the first steam train arrived in Athabasca from Edmonton, completing the journey in approximately 14 hours.
Passenger rail service ended in the 1940s, after which the line continued to carry freight and grain. Rail operations continued until 1993, when all train service to Athabasca came to an end.
In 2011, the Athabasca Heritage Society completed the restoration of the historic CNoR Train Station, carefully preserving its architectural character while incorporating heritage elements that reflect the era and purpose for which it was originally built. This remarkable achievement was made possible through the dedication of countless volunteers, who contributed thousands of hours to ensure the Station would be preserved as a place for the community to enjoy for generations to come.
The Athabasca Heritage Society is a volunteer, non-profit organization founded in 1998 to revitalize the Town of Athabasca riverfront and preserve the historic CNoR Train Station. Located on Treaty 6 Territory, the Society has transformed the Station into a vibrant community gathering place that includes a public art gallery with rotating exhibitions by local and regional artists, art classes for all ages, and spaces for educational, cultural, recreational, and community events. As you walk by the river and through the town, you will find the Society’s heritage signs standing in the open air. They mark the story of this region—a history rooted in the ancient, enduring paths of the First Nations and the Métis homeland, and shaped by the settlers who followed. The river itself is the heart of it all, once the great highway that brought life and trade to Athabasca Landing. These markers remain to tell us, plainly and clearly, how these many threads have woven together to make the place we share today.
We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples, the Cree, Dene, and Metis and are grateful for their gifts, teachings, and stewardship of these lands and waters.
Meet Our Dedicated Team
Discover the passionate individuals who bring history and art to life at our station.
Meadow Hamlyn
Summer Gallery and Museum Assistant
Meadow combines her knowledge of Alberta’s heritage with a passion for art and community storytelling.
Meadow will be at The Station all summer and will host walking tours Thursdays at 3:00pm, and Saturday at 10am. These are free to join for anyone.
Tanis Klein M.F.A
Art Instructor, Artist, Curator, Member of the Athabasca Heritage Society
Tanis inspires creativity through engaging art classes and workshops for all ages at Creative Cats Art Studio. She is a member of the Athabasca Heritage Society.
Dr. Mike Gismondi
Chair of the Athabasca Heritage Society
Since 1998, Mike has been a dedicated steward of the region’s history, serving in numerous executive and project leadership roles for the AHS, consistently working to bridge the past and future of the community.
His most visible contributions include spearheading the initiative by the Society to bring the region’s heritage into the public sphere through the creation of museum-quality interpretive displays installed throughout the town and riverfront walkways. As a passionate champion of the Athabasca riverfront, Mike has been instrumental in promoting the legacy of Athabasca Landing and its enduring connection to the river.
He currently serves as Chair of the Heritage Society, continuing his commitment to preserving the stories that define the community.
Visitor Reflections and Stories
Discover heartfelt stories from visitors who have connected deeply with The Station unique blend of art, culture, and community.
My family and I were truly inspired by our experience visiting The Station. Our visit showed us how creative our community is!
Moriel Bing
Local Art Enthusiast
So many talented artists!
Shirley Zelman
Local Community Supporter
Awesome Show!!!
Sarah Johnson and Darran Banack
Tourists