1. Home
  2. Walks
  3. Ottawa 200: Bytown's boisterous birth

Ottawa 200: Bytown's boisterous birth

Ottawa 200: Bytown's boisterous birth in 1826
Statue of Colonel John By in Major's Hill Park.
Statue of Colonel John By in Major's Hill Park.

Ottawa turns 200 this year. Hear colourful tales of the birth of Bytown (as Ottawa first was known). Learn of the Algonquins who lived here around 1826, and the fate of the great chief Constant Pinesi and his people. The creation of Bytown was dramatic; it was an instant boomtown. Of course there were heroes and rogues, scandal and daring, fools and fortunes. Hear how Col. John By’s design of Bytown has fundamentally shaped Ottawa, right up to today.


Some of the stories the walk will touch on:

  • The fate of Chief Constant Pinesi and his people
  • Col. John By, his triumph and downfall
  • Nicholas Sparks, who got extremely rich through dumb luck
  • The first house and first birth in Bytown
  • Col. By’s naming of streets, for celebrities and loved ones
  • The huge fortress that was planned but never built
  • The scandal that massively shaped Ottawa 
  • Biggest day in Ottawa’s history — September 26, 1826



Location
Route

We'll meet at the statue of Colonel John By in Major's Hill Park. From there, we'll proceed along the terrace beside the Chateau Laurier, climb up the steps to Wellington St and continue west to Parliament Hill. We'll cross Wellington at Elgin and stroll down the west side to Sparks Street. We'll walk two blocks west along Sparks and then turn north on O'Connor back to Wellington, then go west on Wellington, ending at Kent St.

The route follows paved pathways and city sidewalks, but has stairs to transition from the Chateau Laurier terrace up to Wellington St.


About the walk leader

Jack Hanna is a retired journalist and teacher with a passion for history. He is chair of the Heritage Committee of the Centretown Community Association (CCA). For Ottawa 200, Jack is writing a series of eight articles about Ottawa's 200th anniversary which are currently appearing in community newspapers and on history websites.

Liv Richmond is a heritage professional working in the Archives Program at the National Arts Centre. She holds a BA in history from Carleton and a Diploma in Museum Studies from Algonquin College.


On Sundays through Spring, Summer, and Autumn, Jack and Liv lead history walking tours for the CCA starting at the Elgin Street Farmers' Market.

Guides:

Jack Hanna and Liv Richmond

When:
Date:Sat May 2, 2026
Time:3:30 PM
Duration: 1 hour 30 min
Language: English
Where:
Start: Col. By statue, Major's Hill Park
End:Wellington & Kent Sts.
Area:Parliament Hill/Centretown
Distance:1.5 kms
View in Google Maps
Accessibility:

There are stairs at two locations.

Gallery
Statue of Colonel John By in Major's Hill Park. Map of the Ottawa River and associated shorelines, circa 1815. Patrick Roy Haldorsen's painting "Supervising the building of the Rideau Canal' showing Thomas McKay and Major John By overseeing the building of the lock steps down to the Ottawa River. Map of the Ottawa area showing the proposed route of the Rideau Canal, C1827 "First Eight Locks of the Rideau Canal, the North Entrance from the Ottawa River," 1834; watercolour by Thomas Burrowes. This image is believed to be a true silhouette of Colonel By. If it is authentic, it would be the only known image of John By. The image of a partridge is the mark of Chief Pinesi. Image of Nicholas Sparks.
Volunteer to Marshal Our Walks