In 1904 a depot was built in Port Hope and a station manager employed. The company decided a few years later that Port Hope was going to be the end of the line up the shore so an engine house, turn around and water tower were built to service the engines.

This chimney was built in 1858 by John Geltz. It is all that remains of the lumber mill established that year by William R. Stafford. Port Hope grew up around the mill. For a score of years, this town was a center of lumbering in the Thumb. It also became an important producer of salt.