Ottawa 200: Bytown's boisterous birth

Ottawa 200: Bytown's boisterous birth in 1826

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

Carte indiquant le point de départ

Trajet

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.

Au sujet du guide

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.