Ottawa history

The history of Ottawa is a unique journey from a small working settlement to the capital of one of the world's largest countries. The city, whose name comes from the Algonquin word adawe, meaning "to trade," has fully lived up to its name, becoming a centre for the intersection of cultures, commerce, and political power.

Founding and First Mentions

The history of the modern city began in 1826 with the founding of a settlement named Bytown. It emerged as a campsite for engineers, labourers, and their families engaged in the construction of a strategically important facility—the Rideau Canal. The construction was led by Lieutenant Colonel John By of the British Royal Engineers, in whose honour the settlement was named. The canal was intended to provide a secure water route between the Ottawa River and Lake Ontario, bypassing the US border. In 1855, the expanded town was officially renamed Ottawa.

Key Factors of Formation

Ottawa's transformation into a capital was driven by several decisive factors. In 1857, Queen Victoria selected this very city as the capital of the Province of Canada, and later, in 1867, it became the capital of the entire Dominion. The main reasons for this choice were:

• Geographical Location: Ottawa was situated on the border between the predominantly French-speaking Lower Canada (now Quebec) and the English-speaking Upper Canada (now Ontario), making it an ideal compromise for the two cultures.
• Security: The city was located at a significant distance from the American border, which in the mid-19th century was considered a major strategic advantage compared to other candidate cities such as Toronto and Montreal.
• Economic Potential: Its location on the Ottawa River facilitated the rapid development of the timber industry, which became the foundation of the city's early economy.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the very beginning, Ottawa was a "city of two cultures"—English and French—which continues to define its unique character today. The early city's economy was almost entirely focused on logging and the timber trade. Huge timber rafts were floated down the Ottawa River, and numerous sawmills operated at the waterfalls. This business attracted thousands of workers to the city, including many Irish and French-Canadian immigrants who shaped the character of the city's first neighbourhoods. The construction of Parliament Hill, which began shortly after Ottawa was declared the capital, finally cemented its new status and laid the foundation for its future development as the country's political centre.

Timeline of Historical Events

• 1613 — Samuel de Champlain explores the Ottawa River and makes the first records of the region's geography.
• 1800 — Philemon Wright establishes the first permanent settlement in the area, initiating the development of the timber industry.
• 1826 — Lieutenant Colonel John By begins construction of the Rideau Canal and founds the settlement of Bytown.
• 1832 — Construction of the Rideau Canal is completed, connecting the Ottawa River with Lake Ontario.
• 1855 — Bytown officially receives city status and is renamed Ottawa.
• 1857 — Queen Victoria selects the city as the permanent capital of the Province of Canada.
• 1867 — The Canadian Confederation is formed, and the city becomes the capital of the new sovereign Dominion.
• 1900 — The "Great Fire" destroys a significant part of the city, including residential quarters and industrial enterprises.
• 1916 — The Centre Block of the Parliament burns down in a severe fire; only the Library of Parliament survives.
• 1927 — The opening of the Peace Tower takes place, becoming the main architectural symbol of the parliamentary complex.
• 1950 — The plan by architect Jacques Greber is adopted, marking the beginning of the creation of the capital's famous "Greenbelt."
• 1982 — Queen Elizabeth II signs the Constitution Act on Parliament Hill, enshrining the country's full independence.
• 2001 — A large-scale amalgamation of the city with eleven neighbouring municipalities takes place, forming the modern boundaries of the metropolis.

Stages of Ottawa's Development

Ottawa has journeyed from a working settlement to a technologically advanced capital. Key transformations have shaped its modern economic, cultural, and urban appearance.

• Construction of the Rideau Canal (1826–1832)

  This massive engineering project became the starting point in the city's history. The canal not only provided a strategic water route but also led to the founding of the settlement of Bytown, which was renamed Ottawa in 1855. The construction laid the foundation for the initial urban structure and attracted a workforce.

• Proclamation as Capital (1857)

  Queen Victoria's selection of Ottawa as the capital of the Province of Canada, and subsequently of the entire Dominion in 1867, was a turning point. This decision transformed the lumber town into the country's political and administrative centre, which stimulated the construction of Parliament Hill and government institutions.

• The Greber Plan (1950)

  The post-war plan by French architect Jacques Greber radically changed the urban environment. Under the plan, railway tracks were removed from the city centre, the famous "Greenbelt" was created to contain urban sprawl, and a network of scenic parkways was organized. These transformations defined modern Ottawa's appearance as one of the greenest and most well-planned cities in the world.

• Emergence as a Cultural Centre

  Beginning in the second half of the 20th century, Ottawa established itself as an important cultural hub. The opening of the National Arts Centre, the National Gallery of Canada, and other federally significant museums turned the city into a magnet for art and history connoisseurs, befitting its capital status.

• Technology Boom (1990s)

  Ottawa earned the nickname "Silicon Valley of the North" thanks to the rapid growth of the high-tech sector. Companies specializing in telecommunications and software created thousands of jobs and diversified the city's economy, which previously relied mainly on the public sector.

• Municipal Amalgamation (2001)

  In 2001, Ottawa merged with 11 neighbouring municipalities. This administrative reform led to the creation of a modern, significantly expanded city. As a result of the amalgamation, Ottawa became the fourth-largest city in Canada, which changed its demographic and administrative landscape.

Ottawa's architecture is a visual chronicle of its transformation from a logging settlement to the country's capital. The urban landscape represents a harmonious blend of austere government buildings, historic residential neighbourhoods, and modern structures reflecting every significant era in the city's development.

Victorian Gothic and the Making of a Capital

With the selection of Ottawa as the capital in 1857, Neo-Gothic became the dominant architectural style for government buildings. The most striking example is the Parliament Hill complex. Its buildings, constructed between 1859 and 1876 and restored after the 1916 fire, were deliberately designed in a style reminiscent of the Palace of Westminster in London. This choice symbolized the continuity of British traditions and became Ottawa's hallmark. The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica (1839), also executed in the Gothic style, dates back to this same period.

The Era of Elegance: Château Style and Beaux-Arts

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, new trends appeared in Ottawa's architecture. A landmark example is the Château Laurier hotel, built in a style mimicking French castles (châteaus). Together with the former railway station building located opposite (now the Senate of Canada), executed in the Beaux-Arts style, it forms one of the city's most recognizable architectural ensembles.

Modernism and the Greber Plan

The mid-20th century was a turning point for Ottawa's urban development. In 1950, French architect Jacques Greber presented a large-scale plan for transforming the capital. This plan, executed in the spirit of modernism, radically changed the face of the city:

• Railway tracks were removed from the central area.
• A "Greenbelt"—a vast park zone around the city to control its growth—was created.
• Industrial zones were reorganized, and scenic parkways were laid along the rivers and canal.

In the post-war years, Brutalism—a direction of modernism—manifested in the architecture. A vivid representative of this style is the National Arts Centre building, opened in 1969.

Postmodernism and Modernity

Since the late 20th century, Ottawa's architecture has been enriched by bold postmodern and contemporary projects. The National Gallery of Canada building (1988), designed by Moshe Safdie, with its glass structures, became a new symbol of the city. Another outstanding example is the Canadian Museum of History (formerly the Museum of Civilization), designed by Douglas Cardinal and distinguished by its smooth, organic forms. These and other modern buildings demonstrate how Ottawa continues to develop, integrating innovative architecture into its rich historical context.

Iconic Figures in Ottawa's History

Ottawa, as the political and cultural centre of Canada, has been the home or starting point for many distinguished individuals. Their contributions span a wide range of fields—from the founding of the city and governance of the country to world art and music.

• Lieutenant Colonel John By (1779–1836)

  A British military engineer whose name is inextricably linked to the birth of Ottawa. He led the construction of the Rideau Canal—a strategically important waterway around which the settlement of Bytown grew. In 1855, this settlement was renamed Ottawa. Thus, Colonel By is rightfully considered the founder of the future capital of Canada.

• Sir Wilfrid Laurier (1841–1919)

  The seventh Prime Minister of Canada and one of the key figures in the country's political history. His era of governance was marked by economic growth and active immigration. While Prime Minister, he lived and worked in Ottawa, making a huge contribution to the development of the capital and the entire country. His residence in Ottawa is today a national historic site.

• Yousuf Karsh (1908–2002)

  A world-renowned portrait photographer of Armenian heritage who spent most of his life in Ottawa. His studio in the Château Laurier hotel was the place where he created his famous works. Karsh earned the nickname "Karsh of Ottawa" and became famous for his iconic portrait of Winston Churchill, taken in the Canadian Parliament in 1941. He captured many of the greatest figures of the 20th century, from Albert Einstein to John F. Kennedy.

• Lester B. Pearson (1897–1972)

  The fourteenth Prime Minister of Canada, a diplomat, and a laureate of the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in resolving the Suez Crisis. Pearson was closely tied to Ottawa as a politician and parliamentarian. After concluding his political career, he taught at Carleton University in Ottawa. The main international airport in Toronto is named in his honour, as are several educational institutions in the capital itself.

• Paul Anka (born 1941)

  A legendary singer and songwriter born and raised in Ottawa. He became a global star in his teenage years thanks to hits like "Diana," "Lonely Boy," and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder." Anka is also the author of the English lyrics for Frank Sinatra's famous song "My Way." In Ottawa, a street is named after him—Paul Anka Drive.

• Margaret Atwood (born 1939)

  One of the most famous contemporary writers, a poet, and literary critic, born in Ottawa. Although she lived most of her life in Toronto, her connection to her birthplace has been noted repeatedly. Atwood is the author of over fifty books, including the world-famous dystopian novel "The Handmaid's Tale." She is a laureate of numerous prestigious awards, including two Booker Prizes.

• Alanis Morissette (born 1974)

  A Canadian-American singer, songwriter, and actress born in Ottawa. She achieved world fame in 1995 with the release of the album "Jagged Little Pill," which is considered one of the best-selling in history and brought her several Grammy Awards. Morissette, often called the "Queen of Alternative Rock," began her musical career in Ottawa.