The L&PS was one of the first railways built in Ontario with construction beginning in 1856. The line was built with the intent to facilitate trade with the United States with construction beginning in 1856. Up until 1932 coal from Conneault, Ohio,, was shipped to Port Stanley.
>p The railway also provided passenger service but customer service was often lacking as to on-time performance which earned the operation several nicknames, the most common being 'Late and Poor Service', 'Lost and Presumed Sunk' and 'Push and Shove'. among those passengers using the service to visit the beach at Port Stanley. With the advent or some may say the modern age of the automobile in the 1950s passenger trips began a major decline resulting in the end of passenger service on the line in 1957.
>p The line was then purchased by Canadian National in 1965.
>p The L&PS made good use of the CASO (Canada Southern Railway)station in St. Thomas for its passenger service between London, St. Thomas and Port Stanley helping to make the station one of the busiest in Canada in the early 20th century.
>p Of interest, is the fact that the City of London leased the rail trackage in 1914 iand began to electrify the rail line. Eventually the City of London bought the rail line in 1950 and later sold it to Canadian National in 1965 leading to the end of the London and Port Stanley Railway.
>p As with today, Port Stanley was a 'destination' for the people of the surrounding area. In Port Stanley the passengers could enjoy such entertainment as the L&PS amusement park, swim in a rented bathing suit from the L&PS bathouse, dine in the L&PS cafteria, or dance under the stars at the L&PS pavillion, later known as the 'Stork Club' with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and London's own Guy Lombardo.