DID YOU KNOW......?

By Scott E. Douglas

………that in 1895 George Sleeman of Guelph, Ontario brewing fame built the first Electric Railway the city was desperately in need of. The original charter was drawn up and a by-law passed on August 7, 1894. Construction began in April of 1895 with the first spike officially driven in on Waterloo Avenue in front of the Sleeman home, which was adjacent to the brewery, by Sleeman’s wife Sarah on June 20, 1895. The Guelph Railway Company began with three closed cars on September 17, 1895. Normal service operated from 5AM to 11PM Monday to Saturday every 20 minutes. Besides Sleeman’s ‘Silvercreek Brewery’ being on the route the Bell Piano Company, Guelph’s largest employer, was also at close proximity.