Municipal Heritage Designation (Part IV)

Former Owen Sound Bus Terminal

City of Owen Sound, Ontario

Also known as Western Ontario Motorways Bus Terminal, Grandma Dars, J & S Contracting

Of note are the strong horizontal lines.

Of note are the strong horizontal lines.

Photo: City of Owen Sound, nd.

Built
1945
Recognized
1990
By
Local government

The register’s text, word for word

Description

The former Owen Sound Bus Terminal is located at 1023 2nd Avenue East, on the east side of 2nd Avenue East and north of 10th Street East, in the City of Owen Sound. The two storey brick building was constructed in 1945.

The property was designated by the City of Owen Sound, in 1990, for its heritage value, under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, By-law 1990-200.

Heritage value

Located in downtown Owen Sound, the former Owen Sound Bus Terminal is constructed in a style not common to the city. Its massing and strong horizontal lines provide a fitting visual terminus to a block of buildings on 2nd Avenue East.

Built in 1945 by local builder M. Nicol, the former Owen Sound Bus Terminal was constructed by the Western Ontario Motorways Coach Company, which later became Gray Coach Lines, as its terminal in Owen Sound. It is a good example of the Art Moderne architectural style. Typical of this style is the asymmetrical design and horizontal lines. Also typical of the style is the rounded corner, polychromatic brick work and flat roof. Modern materials including glass blocks, stainless steel and terrazzo, are used throughout the building.

SourceCity of Owen Sound, By-law 1990-200.

Character‑defining elements

Character defining elements that contribute to the heritage value of the Owen Sound Bus Station include its:

  • two storey, polychromatic brick exterior
  • flat roof
  • canopy
  • curved corner
  • glass block windows
  • asymmetrical design with strong horizontal lines
  • steel casement windows and stainless steel window frames
  • location in downtown Owen Sound, at the end of a block of buildings on 2nd Avenue East

End of the register’s text

Location

1023, 2nd Avenue East, City of Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada

44.56821° N, 80.94281° W

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From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, as last updated on December 12, 2025. The register’s text is shown word for word.