Lost Ottawa Facebook 2014
Here are all the Lost Ottawa posts that appeared on Facebook in 2014, starting with the most recent and going backwards.
You can view the posts in various ways. You can read the descriptions on this page and see the initial comments. You can click on the three dots at the bottom of a post to see more comments. You can click on the picture to see a “full screen” version of the picture with comments. You can view the original post on Facebook and leave more comments there.
At the bottom of the page there is a “Get More Posts” link that will load additional posts to the page. We are still working on a way to make the posts searchable.
Ottawa puzzler posted by by Dylan Longpré. We have some Cameron Highlander cadets. But where?
Ask Dylan:Does anyone know where this was taken, what building? It's the cadet unit that was affiliated with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh's Own), in Ottawa at the time.. back in the 30's. Cheers!
Edit: Photo was taken in Winnipeg, which would make them cadets affiliated with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada in Winnipeg. Thanks for everyone's help!
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- Likes: 56
- Shares: 0
- Comments: 19
The Ottawa Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's Own) was not named "Cameron" until August 10, 1933 -- 2 months later than the date given for this photo. So I would guess this is a photo of the cadets of the older Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Winnipeg - hence the difficulty placing the building in Ottawa. (Gives new meaning to "lost Ottawa'?)
looks like the front of the old Union Station
Pretty sure this is the Manitoba legislature in Winnipeg?
Whatever building this is, is the same building as in the 1933 photo. From what I can see there are / were two units, one based in Winnipeg, the other in Ottawa. The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada www.flickr.com/photos/42856387@N00/5868131870
Is it Tabaret Hall building at Ottawa University?
It looks like the Victoria Memorial Museum Building known today as the Museum of Nature.
I don't know where this was taken but I was a member of the Cameron Highlanders 2360 cadet drill team back in the early '60's and have very fond memories of going through our paces under the command of Sgt. Major (cadet) Desjardin in the Cartier Square Drill Hall.
Pretty certain this is the cadets of Queens Own Cameron Highlanders out of Winnipeg.
This photo is likely the 48th Highlanders from Toronto. They have a circular cap badge and their sporran is similar to the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. I've seen photos of Toronto CEF Units infront of a similar building.
It looks a bit like the "old" downtown Ottawa Train Station which is now the Government of Canada Conference Centre.http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Government_Conference_Centre,_entrance.jpg&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_Conference_Centre&h=187&w=269&tbnid=rA-TCXhmW-MdgM:&zoom=1&tbnh=160&tbnw=230&usg=__nH-5zBBTTiwhjR6hrAZjFVwIlyg=&docid=1aIkY3KbFUqXEM&itg=1&ved=0CH4Qyjc&ei=SzWjVNTMI8KZNtuJgVA
I was thinking the National Research Council building at 100 Sussex, but the pillars aren't right there either. www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/about/directions/sussex.html
Don't think it's the Manitoba legislature in Winnipeg. The pillars are too close together: www.cbc.ca/sevenwonders/images/pic_wonder_manitoba_legislative_lg.jpg
Is that not the building down town Kingston? Just wondering because they are cadets and RMC is down there
This is a picture of the old main library building. Not quite a match, I don't think. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Ottawa_Public_Library_old.jpg/440px-Ottawa_Publ...
Not the Supreme Court. No big pillars on the front of the Supreme Court building.
Main Branch of the CIBC on Sparks St.
Supreme Court on Wellington?
an old post office or bank of Canada edifice.
Ottawa residence of W. Lamb located on Robert Street, built of concrete, and featured in a "souvenir| album of the International Portland Cement Company, published around 1910-15.
The cement company was located in Hull and, possibly as a result, Ottawa was in somewhat of forefront of new concrete construction after the run of the century. This house, for example, seems to have used immense cement blocks, imitating bricks.
Just around the corner from the Armenian Embassy, this house still exists, and the use of the blocks is worth checking out. Alas, the house has been horribly disfigured by the addition of a awful enclosed staircase on front.
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House looks much smaller in streetview (first house in from Queen E)-- and that addition is horrible (what were they thinking!). I had wondered how so many early homes had concrete basements, and had noticed "bricks" in this style and wondered about them-- thank you for the explanation (that portland cement company in Hull). Didn't realize Ottawa was on the forefront of concrete, as well as electric lighting and debit cards!
Only in Ottawa can they masacre or tear down beautiful heritage buildings.
Spectacular house...how could anyone have obtained a permit to do that to it? Hideous.
Disfigurement is the best way to describe what's been done to this majestic property. How could they do such a thing?
Here is another view of the house in 1912 (on the left)...this is from a brochure booklet trying to sell Brantwood Place...depicting Ottawa's fine residences...
It appears they did try to match the old bricks - it's just ugly.
Even better - 2012
Here's a Google shot from 2009 - you can see the construction a little better. Also, the ugly addition appears to be cement blocks too.
It is a beauty as is tho , or was
The Boyd Bros Cement Factory in Osgoode made decorative cement blocks used in many homes and building in the area too.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.......
I'm not sure where "1910-15" comes from. The publication date of this book, "Souvenir of the History, Development and Future of Portland Cement.", was more like 1909.
If this is it on Robert Street, it sure is disfigured. I couldn't get a better angle in Google Maps without a tree masking the view.
Is this house in the berg. I'm sure I recognize the turret
I totally agree about the disfigurement! Looks like it was turned into a rental property with a stairway hall...... you hardly see the turret at all anymore!
Crazy Ottawa. We've had pictures of the SciTech Museum's Crazy Kitchen before ... but never one of the guys who built it!
Here they are. Apparently they thought is was best to wear safety helmets.
(CSTM NMST J-19714)
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An Ottawa institution, hopefully will not be lost.
I rmember it looking like this. It still is my favorite place in the entire place!
I love the crazy kitchen. It will always be one of my best childhood memories 🙂
That was my favourite spot The crazy kitchen...I took my nephew there years a later. He loved it.. I can't go into it anymore .MY balance is so bad I fall over.
Thanks, guys. Crazy kitchen is great.
I've oftern thought the same thing as i stumble through it.
What were they thinking...sure gave us kids a lot of chuckles, good going, and man did we think about it later!!!! Hats off to you !!!
Well, they are in construction...
One of our freinds designed it.
Any idea, what their names are?
Is it too plagued with mold?
I used to love going there!!
Ottawa Homes. Here is the residence of George.A. Crain at 285 Clemow, designed by prominent local architect C.P. Meredith, and published in Construction magazine for 1911.
What's interesting here is not just the style, but the absence of anything around it at the time.
The house is still there on the Northwest corner of Clemow and Percy.
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Still looks great!
What's particularly interesting is that this was designed by an architect. It's rare today that people make it a priority to hire a professional to design the biggest investment of their lives. The fact that this house is still standing, and in good shape (apparently) shows that the investment is worth it. But that's my bias showing.
Interesting that the lot was considered limiting back then. It's still a lovely house, if one can believe Google Maps.
If you check it out on street view it looks so beautiful with the apple trees and fallen blossoms.
Would be really interesting if the original cost of the home and lot was posted. Clearly built to last. Love Lost Ottawa.
ypu got to be kidding TOM GRAY ...this is an absolutly grand looking house !!!as far as im concerned and many others as well think so
Beautiful, still
beautiful!!
1911 urban sprawl.!! Nothing good will come from this type of suburban development. It is not conducive to transit. It should be torn down and a glass walled condo put up.
Christmas in Lost Ottawa continues with a second post of the Freiman's Santa Claus train out in Vars. The 1956 event was well documented with many high quality photos.
Shared by Andrew Jeanes, who writes:Another image of the Freiman's Santa Claus Train, November 17, 1956. Here's Santa Claus in Vars with kids and parents gathered round. I don't know who the gentleman to Santa's right is.
(Photo from the Andrews-Newton Collection, City of Ottawa Archives)
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Greetings Andrew, sent you a message that says it went into your "other" folder.
Looks like Robert Campeau??
Michael Ward I rode the train. Great fun. What an exciting set up.
If it is, I am living in one of his houses. 😀 They were built quite well!
Did anyone else ever ride in the little yellow Christmas Santa Claus train on the fourth floor at A.J. Freiman's? I did. Great fun for a little kid!
Christmas continues on Lost Ottawa, with this picture of the Freiman's Santa Claus train.
Shared by Andrew Jeanes, who writes:Another image of the Freiman's Santa Claus Train, November 17, 1956. People gathered in a field in the village of Vars to meet the train arriving from Ottawa. Santa was soon to arrive by helicopter.
(Photo from the Andrews-Newton Collection, City of Ottawa Archives)
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Does anyone remember a winter wonderland train that ran INSIDE Freiman's? It was totally magical and exciting to a little girl in the late 40's or very early 50s????? And don't get me going on the chocolate malt shop in the basement of Freiman's with the wonderful glass-washing machine so your tiny glass of malt was hot glass on the outside and rich amazing thick chocolate malt!
I was on that train with my sister and my Mom!!! Great memories!!!
Polar express
More pictures of this train later tonight.
You won't see this view of Ottawa too often -- looking up Metcalfe from Queen to see the Library of Parliament sitting there.
There's no Parliament Buildings in front because its Fall of 1916. Following the fire, Centre Block had been demolished. Seems that reconstruction hadn't quite started when this picture was taken.
Also featured on the right ... one of those new fangled electric light posts for which Ottawa was famous.
(LAC Mikan 3325989, shared by Victoria Edwards)
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Same location about 20 years later (MIKAN 4170047)
Wow I was born in Ottawa and stayed there for 59 years. My Mother told me so many wonderful stories about Ottawa. I really miss those stories.
My earliest memories of this intersecton (Queen and Metcalfe) in the early 60s featured the brand new TD Bank Building. The Windsor Hotel had been torn down a year or two earlier. Wasn't the Windsor Hotel where the first electric oven cooked meal in the world was served back in the 1890s?
such a beautiful city and we destroyed all these buildings 🙁
Very nice. The first thing I eye caught was the Windsor Hotel.
The Windsor must have moved at sometime too. I remember I was at The Windsor on its last night of business before being knocked down to build the World Exchange Plaza which is kitty corner to this Windsor.
nice one!
Wow, good picture, love it, thanks!
Is that a horse drawn carriage hiding behind the post?
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why is it so frustratingly small?
Et a droite la piscine Flatrock dans le parc Stanley
Downtown Ottawa from the roof of Union Station, circa 1938.
A working boat passes under the Plaza, where there was a parking lot in front of the old Post Office. Below the wall is the track that took trains over the Alexandra Bridge to Hull.
There was also streetcar service to Hull at this time, and this picture makes me wonder if the car actually stopped on the other side of the bridge, where you would exit directly into the Chateau Laurier.
(CSTM CN-29470)
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I agree that the transportation links in the greater Ottawa-Outaouais region appear to have been better in 1938 than they are now. The train tracks you see in this photo went all the way to Maniwaki. Today, we don't even have a tourist train going to Wakefield! Plus, they had a downtown rail station which we sorely miss now.
The trains that crossed the Alexandria Bridge were CPR trains. If they were west bound on in Ontario, they returned from Quebec on the Lemieux Island Bridge and then continued westward along what is now the TransitWay parallel to Scott Street, along the stretch of the Ottawa River Parkway at the present end of the below ground section, and then went parallel to Richmond Road west to McEwan Avenue. The rest of the rail line is now the western bike path that continues right out to Kanata. Had there been any wisdom in the heads of city planners, mayors and counsellors, that right of way should never have been released for development. It is the path that now could be the Light Rail Corridor from downtown, westward to Kanata and even as far west as Carleton Place. Much of the right of way remains today but those who enjoy it as bike paths and snow mobile routes will never give it up to motorized transportation again. I watched it disappear through my early childhood and always in my mind could see that one day the mistakes of giving it over to other than transit was a terrible misjudgement. After releasing the rail line across the Alexander Bridge, even the CPR had to find an alternate route when they decided to run a passenger service along the North Shore to Montreal. Their Dayliners, as they were called, had to go south and join what is now the 'O' train line across the Rideau at Carleton University and then Northward to cross into Quebec via the Lemieux Island Bridge. The competition with the more direct and certainly quicker Ontario CN lines to Montreal partly lead to the demise of CPR as a passenger railway. Although the Dayliners were faster than a conventional train, the circuit route around Ottawa added too much time to the Ottawa/Montreal trip and it was never financially successful. I remember taking that trip twice as a child. The scenery along the Quebec North Shore route was far more enjoyable than the boring flat corn fields of the CN Ontario train. But I was a kid, not a businessman in a hurry to get to some financial related endeavour in Montreal!
Better transport links than we have today. So much for progress!
From 1875-1880
The Hull Electric Railway had a streetcar turning loop underneath the Plaza Bridge, connecting directly with the Chateau Laurier. The tunnel is still there and last time I checked (several years ago) was being used for storage of rental bikes.
What a beautiful shot,thanks for all the story.
Not that I can remember. It would be impractical to start a train rolling only to have it halt again after only a few dozen metres. I seem to recall that hotel guests would check out and have red cap porters bring their luggage all the way from the front desk to the railway platform.
I remember arriving, aged 11, at the station on November 15, 1956, from England via Montreal, meeting my father and taking the taxi to our new home in Hull.
I'm curious, what was the building which was replaced by the War Memorial?
So it looks like the arches under the plaza are now the support for connection between Elgin and Wellington/Rideau. Very cool. Thanks for posting this picture!
Forgetting the never end raging debate about the closure of Union Station and the relocation of passenger rail operations to the Alta Vista area, does anyone have an idea about the history of the boat going through the canal. I have seen photos of the Rideau King and Rideau Queen and I remember seeing the tug Loretta tied up near Clowes Lock where it was scrapped but the shot of this particular one is quite interesting. Does anyone have details; it would indicate that the canal had freight traffic on it at least to the end of the 1930s, perhaps even later??
A lot of people talk about the short-sightedness of politicians and planners who removed the trains and tracks from downtown Ottawa. But at the time, many people genuinely believed that trains were headed for obsolescence. Perfectly reasonable people looked at the progress of both the automobile and aviation during the twentieth century and had every reason to believe that these would be the dominant modes in the future (as they did become). Almost nobody between 1900 and the 1960s could have easily predicted the environmental, social or economic problems that dependence on cars and planes might bring. Instead of blaming people in the past for getting us into this fix, we should be demanding more, better solutions to our transportation problems from today's leaders.
Was that the old Agnes P Barge that used to go up and down the canal?
Amazing image.
Very cool photo
Great photo.
Just beautiful...even with that coat of snow!
Last of a series of Ottawa "cabinet card" portraits, shared by Ted Rundle.
This lady apparently wanted to show off there really fine hat and elaborate fur coat. Quite the gaze as well.Last one. (I promise) from the Snider studio at 134 Bank St.
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I'm not sure why you'd say "last one (I promise)" for I find these photos lovely.
Love your photos...keep them coming
No -- keep them coming! Very much enjoy seeing these photos!
Here, I have one from Sniders as well....This photograph depicting "Brown's Family" (whoever they are...) was taken at G.A. Sniders...probably around the 1890's... Popeye's Supplement Store is here now.... www.facebook.com/MyOldOttawa/photos/a.366778186789223.1073741865.320259368107772/366775980122777/...
love these photos!!
Before and after in Ottawa's Strathcona Park, shared by Anneke Dubash.
Writes Anneke:Winter sports in Strathcona Park, Ottawa, Ontario, 1925. (And the view today)
Department of the Interior
LAC: PA-048354
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Bob Bastien and I lived at 111 Strathcona when we were at St. Pat's College. Many moons ago.....and many good memories ago.
Love the standing sled.
Lost Ottawa Evening Puzzler: While a young lad observes the photographer, the "Chez Buck" Restaurant and Grocery takes delivery from a Wrightville Beverages truck.
Chez Buck says "King Edward" on the top. So this is the corner Edward and ... ?
Shared by Gilles Pacquette.
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Found this picture of a bottle from Wrightville Beverages in Hull, Quebec . . .
L. Sarazin, Grocer, 249 Clarence St. at King Edward. Happy New Year.
Here is the original photo, which confirms the location as Clarence.
I'm not sure 249 King Edward makes sense. The number is over the angled doorway, so the address might refer to the cross street. If so, it would have to be the NW corner (odd numbers on N side.) The lighting fits that as well. I'll guess 249 Guigues.
Brian Woodard, you`re right, 249 King Edward E, at Clarence. Never seen this store or picture before. It`s great.
clarence at king edward, 1938.
Used to go here everyday on the way to York Street Public School...to buy candy of course..
I say it's either king Edward and Rideau or king Edward and St Patrick
King Edwards and Quigues.....
King Edward et Guigues.
249 King Edward would be at Murray St.
Love the truck! And the kid’s outfit!
I think it is Murray Street
it's at Clarence St.; Church building still stands across the Street www.google.ca/maps/@45.4311987,-75.6877396,3a,34.8y,245.52h,92.87t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sALL9MbAiog...
Hey Clint Ford: Look at that TRUCK! 😀
Clarence and King Edward for sure. The church is still there and you can see it on street view. The Store is now an apartment building next to Shepherds of good hope.
King Edward and Clarence St
It might be Cathcart st at Redeau st.
5 cents for a Pepsi
Its at Champa Tai,Guigeus at King Edward. If you look beside first balcony, you'll see a piece of masonary that looks like a rounded birdhouse. Its visible in the streetview version... maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.433299,-75.689507&spn=0.000581,0.000871&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=45.43336...
Murray St according to the address 249
I think it's where the Pizzaria is now...
Buck was my great uncle.
Looking west over Lowertown towards Uppertown Ottawa in 1968, shared by Gilles Paquette.
The skyline is still dominated by the spires of churches and parliament in this amazing panorama.
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I just love looking at how Ottawa once was in px, wishing that some of those legendary places were still in existence instead of dull condo crap and empty rundown spaces snd eyesores that exist now....
In the 60's I went on the double Ferris wheel at the EX and from that way also the parliament buildings could be seen when we were on the top of the wheel .
Came to Canada in 1966, live off of Merryvale, remember climbing the resovoir on top of carlington ski hill and looking downtown, hardly in skyscrapers then
the view wouldn't be a whole lot different today. this would be from Wurtemburg St.
photo is taken between henry & clarence on wurtemburg street.
Missed this post from Andrew Jeanes the other day, while on the way to Washington DC. It's another shot of Santa arriving in Vars for the Freiman's Santa Claus train, this one from the Ottawa City Archives.Here are some more photos of the Freiman's Santa Claus Train. These are from the Andrews-Newton collection at the City of Ottawa Archives. As you will see, many of them were taken at the same date and time—sometimes from similar angles—as the CN Collection photos you posted yesterday. ... See MoreSee Less

I have more photos. Will share them later this evening.
Another fine portrait, this time taken by Ottawa photographer C.B. Taggart, whose studio was on the corner of Bank and Wellington.
No background in this one, but that would have taken away from the gentleman's very fine hat. It's almost like a portrait of the hat and not the person?
Shared by Ted Rundle.Photo Studio corner of Bank & Wellington Sts. The C.B. Taggart studio
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CB Taggart Born in 1848 died in 1914 was my Father and six Siblings Great Grndfather 🙂
He also has a fine stout black-thorn stick.
Portrait of Martha Jane Mussell, taken by Ottawa's premier photographer William James Topley. Alway fascinating to see what background or props were chosen for these portraits, and to wonder about what they were intended to mean.
First of three portraits posted by Mary Museell that we'll share over the next few days. Mary writes:My grandmother, Martha Jane (Cleland) Mussell, taken at Topley Studio in Ottawa about 1912.
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Some things don't change ... at least in some parts of Old Ottawa South.
Shared by Tom Hays who writes:My grandfather on my dad's side ...about 1944/5 ... location Sunnyside Avenue. .... which amazingly that home still stands today last time I was down Sunnyside Avenue.
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Nice.
Great Uncle lived on Sunnyside!!
Tom and others, see more comments when you click on the actual photo. Not sure why it works this way but it does. Some of you may find it of interest. Thanks!
Old Ottawa South was where my best friends lived, Jack Fraser on Cameron, the Dumais on Ossington and Frank Potvin on Bronson, right next to the lock keeper's house. Such good times and such good memories.
My great grandfather lived on Sunnyside
Morning Puzzler. Jamie Miner shares this picture of an Ottawa building from 1911, "between Bank and Kent."
But what building is it, asks Jamie. And where?1911 Building between Bank Street and Kent Street. Just don't know the name of the building.
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In 1921 it was a Salvation Army Hall. The 1921 census shows that a family called "Alderman" lived there - an FS Alderman, wife Lulu, and daughter Dorothia. In the 1923 city directory it was called "Salvation Army Citadel No 2".
Yes I recall walking past thisw on Gladstone for sure. I doubt it ever would have been a residence. You think so?
Went to a few services back in the 50s. We lived around the corner on Bank St.
It was purchased with the intent to fill the space with a restaurant. As far as I know, it's still available for lease.
I delivered concrete there not long ago. It was nearly gutted at the time. I think they were putting in an elevator to bring it to code.
It looks like a (Jewish) temple to me.
Christian Science, maybe?
Looks similar to the Ottawa Curling Club building.....
My question is: Has anyone bought this building? It was to be sold by tender, however that was a few years ago. It is still vacant to my understanding. It would make a decent restaurant or nightclub.
A good community hall. I still believe in the Savation army.
Has it always been a Salvation Army church?
Red brick building which was probably a private home in 1911.
Ha! Got it. At first I thought it was the rectory at St. Pat's but that's west of Kent. You took the sign off the front, didn't you? Also it's a red brick building not yellow as it looks in this picture. Tricky.
Sunday Driver: Ottawa couple examine would could just be their very first car, on display at the Science and Tech Museum on St. Laurent, not long after it opened in 1967.
The car is a Ford Model T, from what they call the Brass Era, complete with acetylene gas-burning brass headlamps.
(CSTM NMST J-19549-2)
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Missed seeing all those great exhibits that hs been stored away to what had been a great museum./
Saturday Night. Ottawa House in Hull from way back in the day.
Not sure if it was as notorious then as it later became, but it sure has a huge Brading's sign on the top!
During Prohibition in Ontario (1919-1927), the Bradings Brewery on Wellington Street could not sell beer in Ottawa ... but they could sell in Quebec. I suspect the picture is from this era due, when many deliveries were still made by horse and wagon.
(No source)
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I had many good times at the O.H. No bad experiences there for me, just enjoyment and good loud Bands! I remember the lady walking around with the hard-boiled eggs and french fries!
Checkered tablecloths, quarts of Molsons' finest & Harry Young doing 'Whole Lotta Love' better than Led Zeppelin! Or maybe the Molsons just made it seem better. Anyways there were people lined up around the block waiting to get in ... they obviously felt the same way!
Pascal, it was on Eddy St.
Great bands in the late 50's, early 60's. Red Shea, later guitarist for Gordie Lightfoot, played some fine tunes here wit Larry Lee and the Leisures (really).
Yes Harry Young and the Noblemen would be standing room only and the music moved me to dance and since that was not permitted it also moved me out the door more than once
Just proves how stupid prohibition was
Pickled eggs and crackers
1972, was the first time I ever had a quart of beer. (Possible I had more than one that night) & it was a Molson Canadian. When you asked for a Canadian they would yell to the bartender "one Red".
Tipped more than a few at the "O.H."
Wasn't it the Texas downstairs? They said that when the building burnt down in the 80s(I think) that all of Ottawa/Hull got stoned from the fumes...lol
I think the OH is where JG and I (and presumably others) watched the Leafs win the Stanley Cup in 1967, much to JG' chagrin, he being a big Habs fan and also because of a foolish bet he made half way through the game.
In the late 60s and early 70s, my friends & I spent every Friday evening at the OH and Saturday evenings at the Green Door at the Chaud. Great memories.
I had a favorite waiter at the OH. I think his name was "Roger". I loved this place in the early 70s. I found the staff very friendly. Like the Chaudiere, there were many paintings done on the walls.
Was it in lebretanr flat
Bin there.
Spent lots of Sunday afternoons there great memories of the O.H.
so cool Barbara
Yes I spent some time there as well... and the Glenlea too 🙂
Had my last illegal drink here before I turned 21. Great memories!
Interesting about prohibition days!
Spent a bit of time at the Ottawa House, great memories
OH was our hangout too in the 70's. 90cents a quart with 10cent tip. Who remembers frequent bands like Terry Dee? Great music there for sure. Always had fun there and no trouble.
Where was it located?
Ottawa House the best place to go for a drink after school. Enjoyed every minute there with them loud bands
A deserted downtown Ottawa at Christmas time, shared by Anneke Dubash (and also on the Ogilvy's facebook page).
Writes Anneke:A very pretty view of Rideau Street in Ottawa by Malek Karsh. I am guessing late 50s.
The building at the left is the old Ogylvie's Department Store, the facade of which collapsed last year during the construction of the Rideau Mall expansion.
I love the Christmas decorations on the light poles, with the gift boxes over the lights themselves.
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Funny... My initial thought was "Its a wonderful life".
Trudels hardware loved going there on Rideau St. Small creaky floors but they had everything you needed and old mr trudel would always be there late 70s &80s good times
Look at those beautiful Christmas decorations!
The Sparks Street Mall is almost as deserted once the government gets out of work!
His name is "Malak".
This would be taken on north Side traveling towards Sussex from Dalhousie? Ogilvie's is across the street which has Xmas tree above entrance. SO pretty!
Love this photograph.
It was always very majical - that's the way it's suppose to be.
That's when we slept at night, not run the streets. It's about time you know where your kids are?
Back when we all knew what it ment to be with family and loved ones.
I'm lost. Is this going towards Sussex. Then Ogylvie's would be on the left....
the parked car is a 52 Chevy, could be early 50's
Pretty.
Love!
Wasn't there a Murphy Gamble store nearby too?
Nostalgia
That's a cool pic love the big tree on top of the veranda on the Ogilvy building
Very nice but how come we don't see the lights like that any more??
Something you really wouldn't want to do in the Ottawa River in December -- go for a dip in the Ottawa River.
The occasion was test of of aircrew survival suits from a dinghy by the Test and Development Establishment of RCAF, Rockcliffe. The date is December 27, 1943.
I hop the suits worked ... Brrrr!
(LAC PA-064799)
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This sort of work was moved to Toronto where it is still done by the Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine.
Hal Jenner shares a cabinet card of his great great Grandmother and a future Colonel. Imagine his Ottawa Cameron Highlander friends would have had a hoot about this get-up.
Hal writes:Cabinet card from S. J. Jarvis Photography 1895 of My great great Grandmother Elizabeth Maynard Rogers and George Harold Rogers (Later Honorary Col. of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa)
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A sort of before and after shared by My Old Ottawa. First and black and white picture of the Booth mills at Chaudière Falls. Then a colorized version of the same picture. ... See MoreSee Less


Do you have any photos of Chaudiere Falls before the dam? It has been said the falls were a more impressive attraction than Niagara.
A reminder to everyone to date their photos! Enjoy the old pics. So much has changed!
Do you have any photos of Main Street or the Oblates land?
Classic view of the timber on the Ottawa side of the river. The building in the distance is now the Mill Street restaurant, formerly The Mill, and formerly ... a Mill!
Shared by Lebreton Flats Remembered, who writesLebreton Flats 1872, Captain Young's lumber float and Timber slide.
courtesy Mccord Museum, Williamm Notman Collection.
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Ottawa fleet of shiny Canadian National Express trucks, lined up on the lawn in front the Armouries on Laurier in 1935.
At the time, CN filled the role now played by Purolator, FedeX, and UPS. These chaps would have been really busy during the holidays, delivering all those presents!
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The correct name of the 'armouries' ( not capitalized) is 'The Drill Hall'.
Weren't the armouries on Rideau (now expensive condos)?
And they were not afraid of big boxes. place I worked at in the 1970 era often used them until they exited the small package business.
Cartier Drill Hall -still there!Cameron Highlander Regiment & Governor General Foot Guards Cadet& Reserve units have headquarters there.
It is the Drill Hall on Cartier Square at the Laurier Bridge.
Armories are east of today's City Hall.
Student protesters in Ottawa mount a Christmas Day rally in 1960, to protest the presence of fifty-six nuclear weapons on Canadian soil.
The weapons in question were the Bomarc B missiles that John Diefenbaker's government (and later Pearson's Liberals) agreed to base at North Bay, Ontario, and La Macaza, Quebec.
The students came from 17 different universities and thought they would present their petition to Members of Parliament -- only to discover this was Ottawa and no one was working. They then marched to Rideau Hall, only to discover the Governor General was also absent.
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Would anybody, whether they had made it to university or not, honestly expect anyone to be working on Parliament Hill on Christmas day, beyond maybe some maintenance staff and a couple of RCMP?
Contrary to the cynics below, Terry and Kevin, (;-), believe it or not, but protests get more attention when picked up by the media than by MPs when they are sitting in the house and not looking out the window. MPs read newspapers, or so we learned in school.
But they did get their picture in the papers, and a few years later, notoriety on Lost Ottawa.
I guess they need to go back to school and learn what,s open on Christmas day.
The story about the Bomarc missiles is even more interesting than the blurb above suggests. Diefenbaker (the Progressive Conservative) ended up opposing the installation of Bomarc missiles that Pearson (the Liberal) supported. The military agreed to the placement behind the back of Diefenbaker (whose government was split on the issue), and Pearson argued it was needed to show NORAD solidarity. The 1963 election hinged partly over this debate, and the Conservatives lost.
The Holidays are about family, and at least used to be about dressing up. Here's another fine Ottawa portrait, this time showing womens' fashions from back from the early 1900s.
The woman is Marie Anne Verhelst. Shared by granddaughter Jackie Guilbeault.Here is a picture of my grandmother, Marie Anne Verhelst, in early 1900's
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Thanks for posting. What a wonderful photo to have of your Grandmother.
Interesting view of one of Ottawa's famous "temporary" buildings, shared by Robert Beaupre.
The puzzler is, from what building was this picture taken?
Robert writes:Old Naval headquarters in Ottawa circa 1940.Now it's the Ottawa Courthouse on Elgin across from Place Bell.
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It must be taken from the Lord Elgin Hotel. That looks like the First Baptist Church on the corner of Laurier and Elgin in the right hand corner.
picture taken from the Lord Elgin hotel?
probably taken by a Soviet spy from the Lord Elgin Hotel
The only choice is The Lord Elgin Hotel. Why even ask? The Gillin Building on Laurier was not built until the '60's.
Laurier and Elgin Cartier square I agree it was taken from the top floor or roof of the Lord Elgin
My guess is the Lord Elgin as well
My mom also worked in that building. I remember visiting her at work one day and walking across one of the interior courtyards.
Thanks for posting such an awesome photo. My dad worked in those "temporary war administration" buildings in the 70s 🙂
Our friend over at the Charles Ogilvy Ltd. has been running a few pictures of Ottawa Christmas.
Here's one. There are several others worth checking out.DAY 4 : Continuing with yesterday's post, here's another great outdoor picture of the Christmas decorations. This one I believe is from Christmas 1947. Thanks so much for all the "likes" & "comments" on yesterday's picture. The support & interest is phenomenal!! 🙂
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I loved shopping at that store. They should have kept it opened
I remember this store and going there often. I for one was sad to see this close.
Francine: one of the 4 we always shopped at when we went to Ottawa from Hull..
To me growing up in Ottawa see the Christmas tree out from of Ogilvy's was a true sign Christmas was coming and I misses it
What an awesome photo. I remember when our major Department Stores (Ogilvies, Friemans, Larocques) has the most beautiful Christmas decorations in their windows and/or the buildings.
Mom worked at the billings bridge Ogilvy's store
Thanks so much "Lost Ottawa"! Hope you guys had an absolutely fantastic Christmas. Continued success in 2015 🙂
Is there a diagram or aerial view of the Ogilvy complex? As a kid, I can remember my dad parking in the Ogilvy lot which, I believe, was adjacent to a garage of sort where Olgilvy's sold boats and Johnson outboard motors. I don't recall whether you then crossed the street to a building where they sold furniture (Gibbard and other high-end brands) and from there connected to their main building or whether the furniture building was connected to the garage and you crossed the street to the main building. In any event, during the 1960's, going downtown to Olgilvy's for a day of shopping could have been described as a total shopping experience.
Many folks will be traveling today, by one means or another. Here's a look south over the train sheds of Ottawa's Union Station, circa 1928, as a loco builds up steam for departure.
Sandy Hill on the left, Laurier Street Bridge and the canal on the right.
As a matter of fact, Lost Ottawa is on its way to Washington right about now.
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Thanks for sharing such a great photo. Wishing Lost Ottawa and all contributors a great new year full of health, happiness and good fortunes. Looking forward to mane new glimpses of old Ottawa in the new year.
Just curious, was Laurier Ave previously called Laurier Street? (I see street used fairly often and I've always wondered!). I'm aware of the former names (Maria and Theodore), just not Laurier Street in Ottawa (vs Rue Laurier in Gatineau).
That was the way to travel
we lived on Steward Street three blocks from Laurier and in french we always said rue Laurier but in english it has always been Laurier Avenue East or West... really do not know why ...maybe someone else has an answer ..Eglise Sacre Coeur (the old majestic one that burned) was on Laurier Avenue but rue Laurier in french... wonder
Some Ottawa youngsters in a Cabinet Card from the 1880's. The lass -- if that is a lass -- has quite the curl!
Shared by Ted Rundle.Great looking kids. 1880's Ottawa.
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Wonder who they were?
I love this
Lost Ottawa Xmas: Last stop for the Freiman's Santa Claus Mystery Special train. Namely, the Departure Hall of Union Station. There, the annual Freiman's event went into yet another gear.
The kids had already gone by rail to Vars, where Santa arrived by helicopter. Then they all got hysterical as Santa walked from car to car spreading Xmas cheer. But it wasn't over.
Back in the station the kids were met by a marching band, complete with Majorettes, and then greeted by Mayor Charlotte Whitton (on the podium with Santa there). And then there was Toyland!
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I help hold back the crowds in front of A J Frieman's when Santa came down from the station 1960 . I was a trainee buyer!
The marching band was the GGFG Band and the majorettes were those of the Ottawa Roughriders.
Here's Charlotte Whitton reading a ceremonial proclamation welcoming Santa Claus to Ottawa. This was Saturday, November 17, 1956. (Photo from the Andrews-Newton Collection, City of Ottawa Archives)
I'm pretty sure I'm in this photo somewhere? I remember lining up in front of Frieman's on Rideau street one year to see Santa in the front windows... they had transformed it into like a santa's workshop ...anyone else remember this? But Charolotte ...best damn mayor Ottawa ever had.
I rode that train !
Definitly early 50s. My dad use to take me to this event every year cause he worked for railway. Probably in this picture somewhere.
I use to work for Freiman years later in the garage parking lot across the street then in the shoe department( good times)
Oh but the good old days.
Because of my connection with the GGFG band and seeing the personages in the band I would say that the photo was taken between 1957 and 1959.
What a wonderful idea,wished I could have done that.
That was so much fun every year. I wonder if it would be successful now a days.
Retail. .., today it's .. Take the money & run. !!
How come I never got to go on this train! Pout!
Francine: I remember going to this train station..but not to meet Santa..
Charlotte Whitton. She always seemed like "one tough cookie to me", but she was a very clever lady. This photo has to be from either the early 50's, or early 60's if she was Mayor.
Lost Ottawa Xmas: On board the Freiman's Santa Claus train heading back to Ottawa from Vars in November of 1956. The kids are super-excited because Santa is walking from car to car -- and he's about to arrive!
Every year from at least 1956 to 1961, Freiman's put on this crazy event in which Santa flew into Vars by helicopter to meet a train full of kids departing from Union Station. Some years there as many as 20 coaches.
The kids look ridiculously happy.
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Not sure if was still sponsored by Freiman's but there was a Santa train well in the late 60s
I was one of those kids...
I worked for Freiman's they were a great company. Worked for Mrs. Degler in accounting.
These Freiman train images are delightful!
My first train trip was on one of these. Would have been in the early 60's.
If I remember to get on board you had to bring an end wrapper from Morrison Lamothe bread. They made Donald Duck bread amongst other products.
Lost Ottawa Xmas: A group of kids in Vars wave goodbye to Santa, as the Freiman's Santa Claus train heads back to Ottawa Union Station in November of 1956.
Part of a Christmas promotion put on by Freiman's every year from at least 1956 to 1961, in which Santa would fly into Vars by helicopter to meet a train full of kids from Ottawa.
One adult in the middle looks super sad!
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Does anyone have photos of the annual Freeman Christmas window that was set up at the main doors? As a child I could stand there for the longest time just looking at everything.
we were fortunate to have been kids back then!
These are good memories.
Craig, I am looking for the specific photo, but was part of this series...
Lost Ottawa Xmas Special: Santa waves to kids in Vars as the Frieman's Santa Claus Special prepares to head back Ottawa Union Station in November of 1956.
Part of a promotion put on by Freiman's every year from at least 1956 to 1961, as near as I can tell. Not sure what the "mystery" element of event was.
Part of a series were running today.
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I visited Freiman's every Saturday just to have one of their ice cold malted milk shakes in the bargain basement. 1962-65 ish.
Nice...
Lost Ottawa Xmas: Santa Claus with a group of kids in Vars, where Santa had just arrived by helicopter to meet the Frieman's Santa Claus Special train out of Ottawa's Union Station. Big day for the kids of Vars, too!
The event was part of a November promotion put on by Freiman's every year from at least 1956 to 1961, as near as I can tell.
Part of a series today.
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It went longer as I remember it too!
Lost Ottawa Xmas: Santa Arrives by helicopter in Vars to meet the kids who had just arrived on Frieman's Santa Claus Special from Union Station. You can see the end of the train in the background. Date is 1956.
It seems Frieman's ran this train every November from at least 1956 to 1961. Frieman's famous Toyland would open the next day.
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The Frieman Express. Did they serve hot chocolate too?
I was on that train. I remember that trip, felt like we went to Montreal.
It ran much later than that, almost up to the time when Friemans was bought by the Hudson's Bay Company in the early 1970s.
Bell 47 helicopter owned by Spartan Air Services Ltd., an Ottawa-based air survey company with bases in major Canadian cities as well as in the US and UK.
Lost Ottawa Xmas. Excited kids in Union Station get free tickets for the Freiman's Santa Claus Special in November of 1956.
First of a series. I'm taking it easy today!
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I never heard about this when I was growing up. Probably because my parents had 5 kids in 6 years, and two more (planned this time) later on.
Spent a few Friday evenings outside Friemans window like most kids just starring at the displays--would not change that for the world--
Are these photos from the Andrews-Newton collection at the City of Ottawa Archives?
I can't resist putting up this close-up of the enfants dreaming of space from our last post. Part of Christmas display in Ottawa's Union Station, December 1958. ... See MoreSee Less
