Lost Ottawa Facebook 2014

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!

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!!

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.

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?

why is it so frustratingly small?

Et a droite la piscine Flatrock dans le parc Stanley

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!

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.

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 seeing all those great exhibits that hs been stored away to what had been a great museum./

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

This sort of work was moved to Toronto where it is still done by the Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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...

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...

It went longer as I remember it too!

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.

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?