We're not an old city, but we have a rich
heritage nonetheless. We started out as a rough and tumble lumbertown
called "Bytown", became a headquarters for the federal government
along the way, and we're now evolving into a moden, high-tech city.
Barrymore's: 1978-1988
Originally opened as the Imperial
Theatre in 1914, the building we now know as Barrymore's lasted
for nearly four decades as on of Ottawa's premier movie theatres.
It closed in 1955, spent a number of years as a furniture warehouse,
and then re-opened in the 1970s as concert hall, and then as a restaurant/discotheque.
Bytown or Bust: Pioneer families
A genealogical site run by Al Lewis containing information about pioneer
families who settled in Ottawa starting in the early 1800's.
Eastern
Ontario Ghost Towns
Here's an idea for a weekend getaway: explore Eastern Ontario's ghost
towns. This site features photos and information about dozens of abandoned
towns in Ontario and across Canada.
Heritage Ottawa
This site is full of interesting articles and facts. One of the best
features is an archive of their newsletters, dating from 1974 to the
present. Editor Gordon Cullinham remarks: "Don’t be surprised
if you are visited by déjà vu from time to time; the
battles are the same, the conditions are the same, and unhappily,
the arsenal for engaging the wrecking crews is not much improved."
Historical Society of Ottawa
"...founded in 1898 as the Women's Canadian Historical Society
of Ottawa. Its objective is to increase public knowledge of the history
of Ottawa through its publications, meetings, tours, outreach programs
and participation in local heritage events..."
Ottawa Genealogical Society
If you're looking for ancestors with an Ottawa connection, this should
be your first stop. It's an extremely worthwhile resource, with plenty
of material and suggestions to get you started on your search for
your great-great-great-great-grandparents.
Ottawa 150
(from CBC Ottawa)
To mark the city's 150th anniversary, CBC Ottawa presents information
on the myriad of people and organizations from each time period of
Ottawa's history.
Ottawa
Mayors
Some mayoral trivia: Bytown's first mayor was John Scott (1847). Ottawa's
first mayor was John Bower Lewis (1855). Ottawa has had three female
mayors: Charlotte
Whitton, Marion Dewar, and Jacquelin Holzman. (from Wikipedia)
Our
Little Italy
A history of Preston Street (aka Corso Italia), the heart of Ottawa's
Little Italy, and the home of many of Italian immigrants in Ottawa.
Ottawa:
An Illustrated History.
Author: John Taylor. One of the best histories of Ottawa available,
it mixes maps and photographs with a detailed — but very readable
text. Taylor is a history professor at Carleton University.
An
Acre of Time.
Author: Phil Jenkins. "I've come here to unearth a story . .
. the biography of the field beneath my feet". So begins a journey
at once eclectic, invaluable, and unique. A great read for anyone
who loves a good story -- not just history buffs. Also
available in paperback.
