The City of Timmins has officially unveiled heritage plaques recognizing the significance of two community landmarks, the H.R. Bielek Building on Third Ave. and the Timmins Transit Terminal on Spruce St. S.
The plaques commemorate each property’s official designation under the Ontario Heritage Act and celebrate the important role each building has played in shaping Timmins’ history. Together, they help tell the story of a growing northern community and the people, industries, and experiences that make up our shared history.
Constructed in 1930, the H.R. Bielek Building is considered one of Northern Ontario’s earliest purpose-built sound motion picture theatres. Built during the golden age of cinema, the building reflects the evolution of entertainment and arts in the region. The building retains many of the defining architectural features of the period, including decorative plasterwork and interior detailing. The building is also historically associated with Leo Mascioli and the Timmins Theatre Company, whose contributions helped establish film exhibition and entertainment in the community. Today, the building serves as the Timmins Senior Citizens Recreation Centre.
The Timmins Transit Terminal was originally constructed in 1916 for the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway, and is recognized as a well-preserved example of early 20th-century railway station architecture. As Timmins’ primary passenger rail station, it played a critical role in supporting transportation, commerce, and access to the Porcupine mining region, helping drive the economic development of Northern Ontario. When passenger rail service concluded in 1930, the building continued its transportation legacy and is now the City’s main transit terminal and inter-city bus station. It remains the last structure from the former Timmins rail yard and is a recognizable local landmark.