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Welcome to the home of the Ottawa South History Project
www.oldottawasouth.ca/historyproject
We are a group of local amateur historians whose interest is to research, document and present facts and information about the history of Old Ottawa South in a fun and informative way.
To find out more about our activities, read this overview article.
Mayfair Theatre Celebrates 80th Anniversary
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- Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 19:59
- Written by Kathy Krywicki
A remarkable milestone has been reached in our neighbourhood: the Mayfair Theatre first opened its doors on December 5, 1932, some eighty years ago!
The theatre was built as an "atmospheric" cinema, with Spanish Revival influences. The atmospheric style of theatre design was based on the desire to transport the theatre-goer to another time and place, to distract them from life's problems and provide them with an atmosphere of rest and beauty. The Mayfair’s design mimics a Mediterranean plaza by featuring an ornate painted ceiling, faux stone facades and balconies, with wrought ironwork and ornamental glass windows in the theatre’s auditorium.
Reminiscences by Alderman Alex Roger
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- Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 19:59
- Written by Kathy Krywicki
Reminiscences by Alderman Alex Roger
Transcibed from a 1950 publication for the 40th anniversary of Hopewell Public School a speech by Alex Roger, Gloucester Reeve 1948-1949 & Gloucester Ward councillor 1958-1960, his memories of growning up in Old Ottawa South.
Billings Estate Commemorative Wall
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- Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 19:59
- Written by John Calvert
The first permanent European settler in the area of Old Ottawa South was Braddish Billings in 1812 along the banks of the Rideau River. His holdings were primary on the south bank of the Rideau but included the north bank (later Old Ottawa South) up to present day Cameron Avenue. On the south bank just east of Billings Bridge at the (relocated) outlet of Sawmill Creek along the National Capital Commission's Rideau River Eastern Pathway is a commemorative stone wall in honour of the Billings family, the bridge, and the synonymous village that grew up on the edge of his property.
Story’s Story
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- Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 19:59
- Written by Jean-Claude Dubé
By Jean-Claude Dubé
Originally published in the July/August 2012 OSCAR.
The stately house at 698 Echo Drive has a very significant history that relates to both the City of Ottawa and the Old Ottawa South neighbourhood. For most of the 20th century, it was associated with the owners of the Story Lumber Company, the Doran Construction Company and the Coulter Pharmacies Company.
In the 19th century, George Hay, a Sparks Street hardware store owner who eventually became the President of the Bank of Ottawa, owned most of the triangular-shaped block on Echo Drive between Riverdale Avenue and Bank Street. Upon his death in 1910, his estate was sub-divided into 23 huge lots by S.E. Farley, Ontario land surveyor. The first lot to be purchased in 1912, the one immediately east of his home at 700 Echo Drive was by John A. Story, a well-known lumber merchant.
From the Archives: Rideau Garden Neighbourhood – 65 years young!
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- Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 19:59
- Written by Kathy Krywicki
On the eve of the local market garden being sold and sub-divided for residential properties, this retrospective, from the Ottawa Citizen June 4, 1947, tells of the farm and the Williams family. Plus, the newspaper’s editor addresses the question of whether or not to add an “s” to the name of Rideau Garden.
The Williams homestead at 96 Southern Drive still stands today.
From the Archives: Ottawa South Business Ad 1926
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- Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 19:59
- Written by Kathy Krywicki
The Ottawa South Planing Mills, located at the corner of Riverdale and Cameron Avenue, operated James E. Wilson, placed this advertisement in a special commerative edition of the Ottawa Citizen August 14, 1926 to mark Ottawa's Centenary (1826-1926).