Heritage Ottawa NEWSLETTER
Dedicated to Preserving Our Built Heritage Autumn 2002 Volume 29, No. 2
News from the Executive Changes in Executive Carolyn Quinn has resigned her presidency of Heritage Ottawa, and has been replaced by David Flemming on an interim basis until the election of Caroline Quinn officers at the next Annual General Meeting to be held 3 May 2003. Carolyn Quinn has served A Heritage Abuilding Heritage Ottawa well during her term of office, and has done much * By David Bullock to raise and strengthen Heritage “For there is no discrepancy between old I offer two reasons. First, the building Ottawa’s recognition as a leading and new works of art, none whatsoever. will occupy the site of the now-demol- advocacy group. ished Daly Building. The controversy Heritage Ottawa will not be The great works of the past remain about the latter’s preservation generated a totally deprived of Carolyn Quinn’s ‘aesthetically’ distinct and emotionally good deal of heat in the media and in skills and determination to preserve near to us. and all the more if there are heritage circles – justifiably so, in view Ottawa’s Built Heritage, for she has new works constantly arriving to fortify of the dominance of the building and its agreed to serve as Past-President. location at a crossroads of ‘national’ On behalf of the members of Heritage their position. Perhaps we might look at heritage (the ceremonial route) and Ottawa, we thank both Carolyn them ‘in a historical sense’ if this constant that of ‘local’ Ottawa (juxtaposition and David Flemming for their past renovation of art forms could be stopped, with the Chateau Laurier and the old service and wish them well in their because in that case our aesthetic percep- Union Station at the top of the Rideau new positions. Street streetscape). Second, it is an The Chair of the Nominating tion would have come to an end also..” opportunity to remind readers that Committee, Gordon Cullingham George Seferis, Nobel Prize Winner (Literature) Heritage Ottawa considers our future has relinquished that position, which built heritage as well as our past. will be taken over by Past-President, “You may well ask what on earth is an Some people were vehemently Carolyn Quinn. article about an as yet, unbuilt commer- opposed to the demolition of the Daly cially marketed building doing in the Building and the consequent loss of newsletter of a heritage organization?” what had been a good example of the Continued on page 2 Continued on page 2 1 News Continued… A Heritage Abuilding: continued from page 1
Heritage Ottawa will not be totally deprived of Carolyn Quinn’s skills and determination to The building as it will appear from four different aspects. preserve Ottawa’s Built Heritage, she will continue Chicago Style in an early 20th-century Laurier’s service dock and steps between to serve on the Board as department store. Others felt that the the streets. The building is set back extent of ill-designed modifications over from Rideau Street by about 26m, that Past-President. the years had turned the structure into a is, approximately level with the south travesty which would cost a fortune to east corner tower of the Chateau return to even a semblance of the Laurier. H.O. Restructuring Proposal original and which would not be missed. The bottom two floors of the David Flemming has presented to I commend to you the 1950s photograph building consist of potentially two- the Board a reorganisation proposal reproduced in the last issue of this storey commercial spaces, some with identifying objectives to double Newsletter looking down Rideau Street entry-level on Sussex Drive and others membership within three years, from the National War Memorial. It with entry-level on MacKenzie Avenue. broaden membership to outlying areas shows clearly the dominance of the Daly They all will be served from the in the new City boundaries. To achieve Building. For better or worse, it is gone commercial atrium to be entered from these objectives, David recommended and people have become used to the a park-like plaza on Rideau Street. the formation of six new committees open space left by its removal. Above the commercial levels are (Finance, Membership, Newsletter nine floors of condominium apartments, and Publicity, Program, Research being marketed as “700 Sussex” and and Publication, and Community ... it is an opportunity above them roof-top mechanical Advocacy). The Board will meet to remind readers that installations. The residences are laid out quarterly; an Executive Committee roughly in a U-shape around common will meet monthly. Board members Heritage Ottawa considers services while the upper floors lie responded positively to the proposal, our future built heritage as around another atrium rising to the and discussion followed on potential roof, and planted with gardens open implementation. David Flemming well as our past. towards Rideau Street. suggested membership could be From the point of view of passers- expanded by a series of monthly by, the new building will blend rather lectures, rotated in location in different What will take its place? The build- than stand out or clash with its neigh- parts of Ottawa. An implementation ing, designed by distinguished Montreal bours. Significant to pedestrians will be plan could be presented at the next architect Dan Hanganu, is symmetrical the open plaza and the commercial 3 May 2003 Annual General Meeting. in design on all four elevations and atrium where shops and restaurants constructed of masonry‹yes, a modern have the potential for animation, eleven-storey stone building! The colour adding something of the the street life of the stone has been chosen to weather of the Market and Rideau Street to the Heritage Ottawa to a shade not clashing with other relatively sedate atmosphere surround- adjacent buildings. Like them, it has ing the Chateau Laurier and the old NEWSLETTER strongly defined corners. The windows Union Station. We shall have to come Heritage Ottawa is a non-profit are set-in, giving a discernible shadow back in a half century to judge how the organization dedicated to advocating effect. The overall height is roughly building fits into Ottawa’s heritage, but the preservation, restoration, and equal to the Connaught Building, just to I for one, find it quite promising. adaptive re-use of the National the north, with a gap between allowing Capital’s built and natural heritage. a view of the Chateau Laurier from Editor: James D. Georgiles George Street through the ByWard *David Bullock is a member of the Graphic Designer: Jan Soetermans Market Area. This gap provides for the Board of Heritage Ottawa. Any opinions Printing: Tina & Company entrance to the residences and their expressed in the article are his alone and parking garage as well as to the Chateau likely not shared by other Board members.
2 The Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge
By Paul Stumes
ith few exceptions all major In 1890 a group of 27 local After careful consideration, the W cities around the globe have businessmen established the H. J. Beemer Company of Montreal developed on the banks of Interprovincial Bridge Company to was given the contract as General rivers or on sea coasts. When settle- promote the construction of a new Contractor of the project. The huge and ments sprang up on a site on one side of bridge between Hull and Nepean Point complex steel structure was manufactured river, it was just a matter of time before in Ottawa. The grandiose proposal by the weII-known Dominion Bridge the opposite side too became populated. suggested that this bridge should have Company. The construction of the Eventually, economic and social reasons a central track for railway and roads for concrete piers started in early 1898. would call for a rapid and safe means of carriages and pedestrians on the two This work was made challenging by up transporting people and goods between sides. The Company collected a starting to 50 ft thick layer of timber debris the two sides, and so arrived the concept capital of $30,000 for the project. which had accumulated on the river- of a bridge. The place where Canada’s The proposal was submitted to the bottom as the waste from the many Capital is located has followed this House of Commons and the Senate by sawmills around the area. course of evolution. the Cities of Ottawa and Hull. The The erection of steel superstructure Where once the loaded canoes had members of the Commons expressed commenced in October 1899. The five to be portaged over the Asticou (now their concern about the expenses and span trusses were together 1,848 feet Chaudiere) Falls on the Kitsisippi (now the Senate questioned the idea of build- long, with a centre cantilever span of Ottawa), settlements, which grew into ing a bridge so close to the Parliament 556 feet. At that time this was the cities sprang up on both shores.; these Hill. Nevertheless, the proposal was fourth longest truss in the world. The cities are Ottawa and Hull. The first accepted with a condition that the work vertical load posts at the long cantilever bridge between the two cities was built must commence by 1892 and the bridge sections were an impressive 95 feet in several sections over the Chaudiere be completed by 1895. The ground was high. The railway tracks on the centre Falls in 1827, followed by several broken with great ceremony on both and roads for general traffic on the improved versions. The second bridge, sides of the river on April 20, 1892. both sides made the bridge 62 feet wide. the present Prince of Wales Bridge, was However the construction of the bridge The construction of the bridge cost opened for railway traffic in 1882. did not begin earnestly until 1898. $250,000, which at that time was an For a long period the Chaudiere Between 1892 and 1898 many of enormous sum. Bridge was the only way to cross the the small railway companies amalgamated The Interprovincial Bridge was river by foot or carriage. In the late into national railway giants and these assembled by October 1889 and a 1860’s the Quebec legislature instigated made their interest in the new bridge locomotive made a load testing run a study for a second bridge somewhere known with more than just words. the across On December 12. On February over Lac Dechenes. The idea was well City of Ottawa offered to ccntribute 1901 the bridge was open for carriages received by the City of Ottawa with a $150.000 toward the construction and and pedestrians and by April trains proposal to build it closer to the centre this sum was later increased by a sum were crossing in either direction. of the City. of $50,000. In September 1901 when King Edward VII and his beautiful consort, Queen Alexandra, visited Ottawa, the Interprovincial Bridge was renamed the Alexandra Bridge in her honour. In 1902 the Canadian Pacific Railway took possession of the bridge, which remained in their hands until 1967 when it was taken over by the National Capital Commission. The N.C.C. removed the railway tracks, and the centre and eastern lanes were opened to vehicular traffic. The western lane
Photograph by: James Georgiles became reserved for pedestrian and bicycle
The Alexandra Bridge spans the Ottawa River and two cultures. Continued on page 4
3 Alexandra Interprovincal Bridge... An Update on the Ashcroft Saga by David Flemming On 29 August 2002, forty people attended a meeting at City Hall called by Councillor Elisabeth Arnold, to elicit public comment on Ashcroft Homes’ latest proposal for 320 McLeod Street. Councillor Arnold chaired the meeting which involved a presentation by Ashcroft’s Dennis Gratton and comments by City planners, John Smith, Grant Lindsay and Stuart Lazear and by at least a dozen others who attended the meeting. The latest Ashcroft design calls for a nine-storey (down from the 20 and later 13 stories proposed at previous meetings) residential building (100 one or two bedroom units and 148 parking spaces) with 6,600 sq ft of office/ commercial space on the ground floor. The design looked very much like a reduced version of the 13 storey proposal Colin Churcher’s Railway Pages Colin Churcher’s from a few months ago. Although this One of the plaques affixed to each end of the bridge. new proporal does not require an amendment to the current Official Plan, usage. These lanes offer their users a built bridges became proud, easily it would require a rezoning of the property picturesque view of the Parliamentary identifiable symbols of their cities and from R5 to R6 to accomodate the nine district and its environs. became national heritages, such as the storey structure. Heritage Approval would Following the 1967 take-over, the Tower Bridge of London, the Golden be required to demolish the existing building (a Category 4 heritage building - piers and the steel superstructure were Gate Bridge of San Francisco and the lowest category) since it is part of thoroughly examined by consulting Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney the Centretown Heritage Conservation engineers. The report of these experts Australia. District. Also, it is surrounded by three indicated that the bridge was in excel- The Royal Alexandra Bridge Category 2 and one Category 1 (the lent condition for its age and, that with unites two provinces and two cultures highest designation) buildings. some minor repairs and regular mainte- and as part of the N.C.C.’s Ceremonial The public response was similar to nance, could be safely used for many Route leading from the National that of the previous meetings: everyone more years. Gallery in Ottawa, Ontario to the who spoke opposed it based on the Museum of Civilisation in Hull, building’s height, massing, potential Quebec, has attained greater cultural traffic & shade problems and its unsuit- significance. Providing, as it does, an ability for the Centretown Heritage In September 1901 when the imposing view of the capital; the Conservation District. Heritage Ottawa King Edward VII and his beautiful bridge’s giant but graceful structure was especially concerned about the prece- dent that would be set for Centretown if consort, Queen Alexandra could, with time and a little more publicity in tourist brochures, the proposal were to be approved and visited Ottawa, the Interprovincial become recognised as one of Ottawa’s stressed the need to have any review of Bridge was renamed the Alexandra identifiable symbols. the Zoning and Heritage Overlay for the area done as part of the process of devel- Bridge in her honour. oping a new Official Plan for the City rather than by Zoning amendment. City staff will report to Council on Note: Some information for this this proposal in the fall. It is hoped that During the past century bridges article has been provided by Virendra Councillor Arnold will report to her everywhere became more than just Sahni, P.Eng., Manager, Structural and colleagues on the almost-unanimous means of crossing waters. Aesthetically transit Services, City of Ottawa. public opposition to date.
4 The Billings House: A photo-history of its architectural development*
he Billings House, one of and style reflects the Billings ancestry. The front Ottawa’s oldest dwellings was The house is a two and a half story portico has T built for Braddish and Almira frame house built on a stone founda- slender doric Billings, two of Ottawa’s earliest settlers, tion. The exterior clapboard siding is columns between the years 1827-29. Five succes- painted white and the shutters were supporting sive generations of the family had lived originally painted green. the second in the house until 1950, when this well- floor balcony. preserved and architecturally unique building was acquired by the City of Ottawa and subsequently declared a National Historic Monument.
The rear portico has squared off pillars sup- porting the Circa 1835 balcony. As can be expected, over its lifetime the house has had certain modification and additions. It is not always possible to give exact dates of these changes, so The house today some approximate dates will be given. The Billings House was the second Major additions to the house will be home of the pioneer family, their first indicated in the text, but several others being a log cabin built on the bank of will be evident in the succession of the Rideau River. Preparations for the photographs that accompany this article. new house began in 1813, but erection The north wing was added as a kitchen did not start until 14 years later, in 1831. The south wing was added in with the family taking occupancy in 1870. The cupola was added to the roof October 1829. some time before 1914. Casement windows and electricity were added in later years, as were three dormers to front and to the rear roofs.
Drawing of the planned or original house Between 1914 and the mid-twenties Note moulding under gables and above the windows The Billings House is an excellent extra windows appear to have been example of the transition from added to the cupola. A half storey with *This photo-history is based on photos and Georgian to the Neo-classical style of a dormer window was erected over the literature supplied by Stephane Bruneau, architecture in Upper Canada. Its New north wing and a portico was added to Acting Education and Interpretation Officer; and England influences in both construction the front and rear main entrances. taken from the Billings Estate museum website.
5 History of Barns in Canada* Historical Perspective on Agricultural Structures (part one) by Ineke Van Zeeland B.Eng. M.Eng.
gricultural structures have been with warped or scooped-out wooden of historical importance in the slabs laid with the hollow sides alter- Photo: Roger Lalonde A early development of Canada. nately up and down and overlapped, Booth barn, Central Experimental Farm There were farmers among the early much like tile is used today. This carried waves of immigrants that came to the rain water off with little leakage. middle of each side for drive-through Canada when Europe discovered and Shakes became the most common roofing access to the threshing floor. Bays on began exploring North America. The material, though. either side of the threshing floor were food and other agricultural products that In the middle of the 19th century, as used to store unthreshed grain or hay. they produced not only provided for the the pioneers moved west, sod barns and Mow storage for hay may have also been needs of their own families, but excess houses became common on the prairies. provided above the grainery or cow production allowed for the continued No trees or large stones were available, stable at one end of the barn. Often growth of the Canadian economy and so the pioneer farmer used wide strips of barns and additional sheds were built to population. In the past, most agricultural prairie sod laid one upon the other to form an “L” or “U” shape to give more structures were not designed by build up a thick wall. Sod was then used protection from the weather. engineers, having been developed over in a variety of ways to cover the roof. The influence of the Germans generations for their specific uses. The These sod structures were common until (Deutsch) can be seen in the style popu- designs and materials used were often the early 20th century. As wood frame larly know as “Pennsylvania Dutch”. It dictated by the location of the structure: construction went west, it was the barns is not restricted to Pennsylvania. In the topography, weather and type of local that were replaced first, and then the Ottawa Valley, this style has contributed building material available all affected houses. This was probably due to the the idea of a drive floor entrance above the resulting structures built. The type fact that the sod houses were warmer the stable that is reached from a bank or of farming activities that the structure and required less heat during the cold hill of earth on one side. was to accomodate also dictated specific prairie winters. However, although sod Gambrel roof barns became very structural requirements. Farm buildings made excellent walls, roofs invariably popular in this area in the late 19th have changed over the years as different leaked and dust and falling debris were century as farms increased in size and requirements have been imposed and constant problems. greater storage area was needed. Silos new methods and materials have been During the 18th and early 19th built out of hewn timbers were also developed. However, a close look at how centuries, little or no winter production being constructed for the same reason. the needs for crop and animal shelter was expected from livestock. Agricultural Both are still very evident in the were met by early farmers reveals a buildings were therefore constructed Ottawa Valley, although the wooden surprising number of ideas that are still only for the protection of grain and silos are very seldom still used, and there valid today. equipment, while fodder for animals was is usually one or more modern silos, The first European settlers in stacked in the yard and the stock was often in concrete, standing right next to Canada probably waited until the first given minimal shelter. As time went on, an old wooden one. crops were harvested to construct the larger barns began to be constructed for The continued change in Canadian necessary storage facilities. In some hay and straw storage and were equipped agriculture has greatly influenced the places, the first of these structures were with threshing floors. Horses were the design of farm buildings. Improved made of wattle and daub. However, in first to be given protection, while cows breeding, feeding, and health care have the eastern parts of Canada, barns were were provided with only an open shed. increased animal production. usually constructed of logs supported on Later, as barn design evolved, space was Mechanization and improved cultivating low stone piers. As farmers prospered, provided for cows. practices has increased crop production. more stone might be used for the walls In the Ottawa Valley there was a The movement to “single commodity” of the first floor, or the barn would be European influence reflecting the farming has changed farming from a framed with hewn timbers, connected settler’s origins that was evident in the lifestyle to an industrial business. These with mortise and tenon joints and still designs of agricultural structures built in developments have required the design supported on stone piers. the 19th century, even though local of larger buildings that meet the specific The first roofs were usually covered materials were used. The English influ- needs of the enterprise housed. The with slabs of bark, although thatching ence can be seen in both wooden and multi-purpose barn housing cows, horses, was used as well, especially in eastern stone barns with high side walls and low sheep, pigs, and chickens, as well as Canada. Some roofs were constructed pitched roofs. The doors were at the hay and grain, is no longer needed.
6 Barns continued... they are being put to new uses. Some have been renovated into homes, often Designs are required for large milking leaving the inner framing timbers visible Notice to parlours to milk 200 to 2,000 dairy cows, to provide architectural interest. In the cage laying buildings housing 40,000 to Ottawa Valley, a number of old barns Readers 100,000 hens, environmentally controlled have been turned into artist’s studios, storage for fruits and vegetables, and on- providing the high open spaces artists Dear Members farm grain storage incorporating sophisti- often require. And at least one in this Perhaps some of you might know cated drying and handling systems. region has been turned into a museum. my two books, Historical Walks Every type of farming is being The Gatineau Park Story, and affected, and the old barns are seldom This article is to be continued in Capital Walks Walking Tours used for their original purposes. But, the next issue. of Ottawa? they were often built so sturdy, having a *Taken from a paper written by the author as I’m delighted to say that grace that is not often found in today’s part of an assigned undergraduate project leading Fitzhenry & Whiteside are utilitarian agricultural structures, that to a B.Eng. degree. publishing the third and second editions, respectively, and will also publish a third, new book, The City of Ottawa Heritage all in spring of 2003. I’m writing because I know we members all share a deep love Grant Program Update – 2002 for our heritage spaces. As well, I A heritage grant of up to $5,000 is avail- How to Apply know that many of you know the city extremely well, particularly able on a matching basis to assist owners You should first discuss your proposal of heritage buildings designated under its built heritage. with staff in the Heritage Section of If any of you are so-inclined, Part IV or Part V of the Ontario Heritage the Development Services Department. Act with restoration work. An owner can I would enjoy hearing any com- Staff will be able to assist you in deter- ments you might have on my apply for one grant per year. One year mining the information required to must have elapsed between the grant pay- books, perhaps Capital Walks in process your application. particular considering we’re ment for the first grant and an applica- This publication is intended to tion for the next grant. Grants are Heritage Ottawa. Don't be shy: if provide general information only. The you spy errors or omissions, approved subject to the availability of original by-laws, acts, regulations and funding, which is approved by Ottawa please know that I would grate- other relevant documents should be fully receive your input, as well City Council as part of the overall City consulted for detailed references. For budget each year. as any ideas for buildings to more information please visit the Client include. Eligible Projects Include Service Centre or call the City of My husband Eric is collabo- Ottawa at 580-2400 or visit the website rating on the projects: he is my Conservation of existing exterior at www.city.ottawa.on.ca, City Services, map maker. Again, if you see elements, such as: Planning and Zoning. any discrepancies or have other Deteriorated original windows, ginger- Client Service Centre locations: comments, please do feel free to bread trim or decorative metal work. let us know. City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West Repointing mortar joints in masonry surfaces. I look forward to hearing Ben Franklin Place, Restoration of missing features based from you. Contact me at my 101 Centrepointe Drive on documentary evidence, such as e-mail addres: reinstating a blocked-in window, Kanata, 580 Terry Fox Drive (Fletcher
7 Heritage Ottawa’s New Logo Book Reviews by Jean Palmer Eric Ross Arthur: Heritage Ottawa’s The protective circle around the Conservation in Context familiar fanlight win- Aberdeen Pavilion represents Municipal Edited by Alec Keefer. dow emblem has been Designation under the Ontario Published by the Toronto Region respectfully consigned Heritage act. Architectural Conservancy, 2001. to the archives and a Our organisation’s name in both new logo is heading official languages emphasises that no This modest but very welcome book John Arnold our newsletter, linguistic divide exists when it comes to throws new light and appreciation stationery, walking tours and upcoming preserving Ottawa’s built heritage. The on Eric Ross Arthur’s impact on brochures. legacy belongs to us all and we share the Canadian architecture while providing The circular form is reminiscent responsibility for its protection. the reader with an affectionate look of a seal or coin. it depicts at its centre The new logo was developed by a at his life. the Aberdeen Pavilion, a building the Heritage Ottawa sub-committee, A professor at the University of survival of which was one of our proudest headed by John Arnold. A handsome Toronto, School of Architecture, victories. Our fight to preserve the new brochure will be out very soon, Eric Ross Arthur founded the ‘Cattle Castle’ involved political action. a sporting on its cover the new Heritage Architectural Conservancy of Ontario massive demonstration, “Hands Around Ottawa logo. in the 1930s contributing significantly the Aberdeen” and campaign. buttons. to raising awareness of Ontario’s her- itage both natural and architectural. The nine chapters of the book are based on the presentations made at a colloqui- Heritage Ottawa Official Website um in 1998. Excerpt from review by Heritage Ottawa now has an official A French language website is also William Moffatt published in Acorn: website, which was launched earlier this in creation and its domain name has The Journal of the Architectural year. Our very capable webmaster, Peter been registered. This website will carry Conservancy of Ontario, Spring, 2002. O’ Malley of O’ Malley Communications translations or adaptations from the Incorporated, has developed a user- English component; however, transla- Jeff Keshen and Nicole St-Onge: friendly informative site, that will keep tion services have yet to be arranged. Ottawa: Making a Capital viewers up to date with Heritage Articles originally written in French Published by University of Ottawa Ottawa1s activities. Members are will also be carried; these will appear as Press, 2002. encouraged to visit the H.O. website translations or adaptations on the An indispensable collection of essays on at: www.heritageottawa.org English language website. the history of Ottawa, some in French.
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