Sparks on the Rideau

 The region to the east of the Rideau River, originally named Lunenburg District in 1788, was surveyed in 1792 and renamed Gloucester Township after William Frederick (nicknamed Silly Billy), second Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh and nephew of King George III. A large subsection became known as Junction Gore in

The Early Days of Ottawa: Not a Handsome City

 Painting showing the Sapper's Bridge and Lowertown around 1845. The big street going off to the left is Rideau Street. Painted by Thomas Burrowes, he added himself into the scene, painting away on what would be Parliament Hill today - Archives on Ontario C-1-0-0-0-11 McCord Museum MP-0000.25.887 Ottawa has undergone

Before Bytown – Part 2

 Watercolour of Wrightstown in 1830. (Archives of Ontario C10006) On the 18th of June, 1812, the United States declared war on British North America, leading to a two and half year conflict and indirectly to the founding of Ottawa. The City was formed alongside the Rideau Canal, as the British