Welcome!
We are residents of the neighbourhood researching our community’s transition from forest and farmland to today’s urban environment. We welcome your involvement and assistance as we research, record and publish the neighbourhood’s history and cultural heritage, and lead the CHNA’s advocacy for its preservation and recognition.
Do you have old photos, histories of your house, other documents or memories of the Civic Hospital neighbourhood that would be of interest to others? Are you familiar with the heritage of some of the notable buildings in our community? If so, please contact us. We will happily return all documents as requested.
Do you have old photos, histories of your house, other documents or memories of the Civic Hospital neighbourhood that would be of interest to others? Are you familiar with the heritage of some of the notable buildings in our community? If so, please contact us. We will happily return all documents as requested.
About Our History
The neighbourhood is perhaps less defined by borders and more by community and the interests of those who reside in it. Although the neighbourhood’s current borders are set by Carling Ave. to the south, Highway 417 to the north, the O-Train Tracks to the east, and Island Park Dr. to the west, we are also taking into account the influences on our community of the adjacent Central Experimental Farm from its creation in 1886. As we begin our work, we have chosen to initially focus on the original farm areas that stretched along either side of our central roadway, Parkdale Avenue.
The core of the neighbourhood can be traced back to the 1820’s when a number of Scottish immigrants who had come to work on the construction the Rideau Canal, bought 100 acre lots of “boggy bush land” on Concession 1, Ottawa Front of Nepean Township, on which to farm. The result was some of the most prosperous farms in our part of Canada throughout the nineteenth century. Many of today’s neighbourhood streets, and Reid Park, are named after members of those early settler families. The first major development in the area was the acquisition of 25 acres of the Reid farm by the City of Ottawa in 1919 for the construction of the Civic Hospital and its School of Nursing, both of which opened in 1924. Prior to that, only a few small pockets of residential housing had occurred along Parkdale Ave. led by the McDougall family in 1880. Along with the Experimental Farm, the core of the current CHNA area remained an oasis of farmland until well into the 1930s. Only then was much of it transformed into the residential neighbourhood it is today.
The core of the neighbourhood can be traced back to the 1820’s when a number of Scottish immigrants who had come to work on the construction the Rideau Canal, bought 100 acre lots of “boggy bush land” on Concession 1, Ottawa Front of Nepean Township, on which to farm. The result was some of the most prosperous farms in our part of Canada throughout the nineteenth century. Many of today’s neighbourhood streets, and Reid Park, are named after members of those early settler families. The first major development in the area was the acquisition of 25 acres of the Reid farm by the City of Ottawa in 1919 for the construction of the Civic Hospital and its School of Nursing, both of which opened in 1924. Prior to that, only a few small pockets of residential housing had occurred along Parkdale Ave. led by the McDougall family in 1880. Along with the Experimental Farm, the core of the current CHNA area remained an oasis of farmland until well into the 1930s. Only then was much of it transformed into the residential neighbourhood it is today.
Historical Timeline
Navigate through the significant events that occurred around the Civic Hospital neighbourhood over the last two centuries. Click the arrows or swipe left and right to navigate the timeline. You can also use the markers below to skip to a specific event, zoom to a desired date range or go back to the start or the timeline. The timeline is also available in PDF format.
Mapping Our History
We are using a unique tool called Historypin to map the history of our neighbourhood. On the map below, click on a pin or a number representing multiple pins to view a photo and find more information on that location. Click here if you wish to open our Historypin page in a new window.
To learn how to view our content on Historypin, we invite you to watch the following video. We also encourage you to contribute to our collection! Watch this video on how to add pins to our Historypin page.
To learn how to view our content on Historypin, we invite you to watch the following video. We also encourage you to contribute to our collection! Watch this video on how to add pins to our Historypin page.
Andy Billingsley History Nights Presentations
The following were presented to the community by members of our committee during history nights. These are named in honour of Andy Billingsley, a resident of this neighbourhood for over 50 years, with a passion for history that created the History & Heritage Committee in January 2015. Andy made important contributions to uncover the history of this neighbourhood, in particular by researching former prominent residents and documenting over 55 properties of interest, many of which are now included in our virtual and in-person walking tours.
history of the Reid Farm
The former Reid farm is at the center of today's CHNA and in many ways, has shaped our neighbourhood. The following is inspired from a presentation given by Jon Church and Dave Truemner on May 25th, 2016.
A historical Drive Along Carling Ave
Carling Ave is the southern border of our neighbourhood and an important roadway that has influenced the lives of our residents over the years. The following is inspired by a presentation given by David Truemner on June 1st, 2017.
A Historical Drive along Parkdale ave
Parkdale Ave runs through the heart of our neighbourhood. See how it has evolved through the years as we examine properties from the north to the south end of our area. The following is inspired by a presentation given by David Truemner on May 16th, 2019.
The Westgate shopping centre
The Westgate Shopping Centre, located near in the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood, has served our community of many years. Unique, modern and ahead-of-its time when in opened, see how the Shopping Centre has evolved over the years. The following is inspired by a presentation given by David Truemner on November 16th, 2022.
The Ottawa Land Association: Suburban Development in Pre-World War II Ottawa
The development of the western part of the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood (between Parkdale Ave and Island Park Dr.) was largely influenced by the Ottawa Land Association (OLA). This study examines the struggles of the OLA to develop the area and how the once called Ruskin Place neighbourhood came to be. The following is the presentation given by Michael Payne on November 29th, 2023.
Other Presentations
Sketches of Former Prominent Residents and their Homes - May 8th 2018
Tackling Community Issues - November 13th 2018
Early Fairmont Avenue Residents and their Homes - May 16th 2019
Tackling Community Issues - November 13th 2018
Early Fairmont Avenue Residents and their Homes - May 16th 2019
Studies
Ruskin Place: the Ottawa Land Association and the Suburban Development of Ottawa in the 1930s
“Homes for People of Good Taste and Modest Means”
A study of the initial development of the western end of the Civic Hospital neighbourhood. Initially marketed to Ottawa house buyers as Ruskin Place, the area developed separately from the central and eastern portions of our neighbourhood that were built on the former Reid Farm and parts of what was originally known as the Bayswater district.
“Homes for People of Good Taste and Modest Means”
A study of the initial development of the western end of the Civic Hospital neighbourhood. Initially marketed to Ottawa house buyers as Ruskin Place, the area developed separately from the central and eastern portions of our neighbourhood that were built on the former Reid Farm and parts of what was originally known as the Bayswater district.
Interesting Neighourhood History Posts
Learn about interesting topics researched by fellow historians!
Street Profiles: The History of Hinton Avenue - The Kitchissippi Museum
Saving Civic: Good News for a Beloved Old Sign - Ottawa Rewind
The Story Behind the Civic Pharmacy Sign - Ottawa Rewind
The History of the Harmer Avenue Queensway Pedestrian Bridge - The Kitchissippi Museum
West Ottawa's Early Holland Avenue Streetcar Resort: West End Park - The Kitchissippi Museum
Want more? Have a look at our Reference List for more historical websites.
Street Profiles: The History of Hinton Avenue - The Kitchissippi Museum
Saving Civic: Good News for a Beloved Old Sign - Ottawa Rewind
The Story Behind the Civic Pharmacy Sign - Ottawa Rewind
The History of the Harmer Avenue Queensway Pedestrian Bridge - The Kitchissippi Museum
West Ottawa's Early Holland Avenue Streetcar Resort: West End Park - The Kitchissippi Museum
Want more? Have a look at our Reference List for more historical websites.
Walking Tour
Our self-guided walking tour will lead you through history, visiting significant buildings that shaped our neighbourhood. The walking tour is available in PDF for you to print and do so at your own pace.
Alternatively, you may do the same walking tour virtually, using Historypin.
Alternatively, you may do the same walking tour virtually, using Historypin.
Historical Panels
In 2018 improvements to Reid park begun and part of the Reid farmhouse had to be demolished. We worked together with the City of Ottawa to preserve some of the original foundation walls of the farmhouse. When the park reopened in 2019, three historical plaques were affixed to the remaining walls that tell the story of how the Reid farm shaped our neighbourhood.
References
We have put together an extensive list of references relating to the history of our neighbourhood and surrounding area. You will find links to historical websites and blogs, neighbourhood and community websites sharing their own history, books used in our research, archives/research locations, local historical museums and other walking tours around the city.
View Reference List
View Reference List
Contact Us
If you have any questions or would like to share your knowledge with us, let us know.