HISTORY
In the 1800's, Port Union was a booming waterfront village with thriving ship 
building and commercial fishing industries, two hotels, a commercial wharf, and 
a variety of small businesses. In 1856, the Grand Trunk Railway opened a station 
in Port Union which added to the importance of this waterfront village.  

By 1865, Port Union's population had reached 100 people and it was granted its own post office. The two hotels that operated in Port Union during these boom times were said to have served "knock-em stiff" whiskey and "40 Rod Whiskey."

By the late 1800's Port Union's shipping industry had lost most of it's business to the railway and subsequently shut down. Port Union then went into a period of decline that lasted until the late 1940's, when the return of industry to this area sparked a residential housing boom. In the 1990's, Port Union reclaimed its waterfront with a new housing subdivision that has helped connect this neighbourhood to its illustrious past.

Ed Note: Port Union, north of Lawrence Avenue, is also referred to as Centennial, which makes reference to the north-south street which runs through the centre of this community. Centennial Street is named after Centennial Church, circa 1891, which still stands at the north end of Centennial Road off Kingston Road.