We are a group of local amateur historians who research, document, and present information about the history of Old Ottawa South in a fun and informative way.
Get in touch with us, the Ottawa South History Project (OSHP), at HistoryProject@OldOttawaSouth.ca.
On Saturday, September 11th 1920, the Ottawa Journal published a full page feature about the neighbourhood of Ottawa South, describing the area accompanied by advertisements from many of the local businesses. Here’s how the neighbourhood was described in 1920. See how Ottawa South of old compares to Old Ottawa South of today. Ottawa South – A District of Cozy Homes and Fine Stores Almost as breezy as a lakeside resort is Ottawa South in…
On May 8th 2026 a new interpretive panel was installed in Windsor Park, near the Riverdale entrance, to commemorate the renowned “Bellwood Boulder”. The massive rock was discovered by City workers in 2021 during roadwork on Bellwood Avenue. The text on the sign reads as follows: This is an “erratic”, a large rock transported by glaciers during the last ice age over ten thousand years ago. It was unearthed during a watermain replacement on…
Historical Bridges Old Ottawa South has had many bridges spanning the neighbourhood boundaries over the years.
In 1929 the Federal District Commission, precursor to the National Capital Commission, documented the condition of Echo Drive with a series of photographs showing the roadway, houses, landscaping, and even plank sidewalks in some sections. Have a look at how this part of the neighbourhood of Ottawa South has changed over the last century — and what has remained the same. From the Library and Archives collection: Echo Drive 1929.
In the February 1995 OSCAR, editor Peter Hecht highlights our main commercial street with an aim to “put the heart back into Bank”. This article features a well-known local business, Savannah Groceteria, at the time located on the corner of Bank Street & Cameron Avenue. Savannah Groceteria Joseph and Fahima Nahas and family have been servicing the community for the past 35 years. Their story begins in June of 1960 when they owned and…
Glenn Clark, President of the Gloucester Historical Society, has compiled a history of ‘lost’ sites in (Old) Ottawa South. Excerpts from his research have been published in the Gloucester Historical Society newsletter Historic Gloucester. In the Winter 2022 Historic Gloucester issue, places from the Ottawa South past include: In the Summer 2023 Historic Gloucester issue:
This stately house by builder David Younghusband was up for sale almost a hundred years ago. Thanks to Bob Simpson for finding this ad from the Ottawa Citizen March 19, 1927. David Younghusband was a residential architect and building contractor who build many houses in central Ottawa, often of red or yellow brick in the Arts & Craft style with a four-square design around a central hall. Description from the 1927 ad : This…
On January 24, 2024, Ottawa City Council approved the heritage designation of Southminster United Church at 1040 Bank Street. More designations will come forward this year due to changes to the Ontario Heritage Act. Staff have been identifying properties across all wards that are strong candidates for designation under Part IV of the Act. Those properties will then be prioritized based on risk, program diversification, geography and architectural significance. Read the report outlining the…
On November 22, 2023, City Council issued a notice of intention to designate 692 Echo Drive under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. According to the Statement of Cultural Heritage Value the following aspects of the property were considered. Constructed in 1913, the building at 692 Echo Drive is a representative example of Edwardian Classicism, which was popular in Canada between 1900 and 1930. The architectural features of the building which are characteristic…
The challenge of identifying this (Old) Ottawa South house looks to be solved. Bob Simpson had found this real-estate ad in The Ottawa Citizen Saturday February 7, 1925.
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