Old Ottawa South

Old Ottawa South

Home to roughly 8000 people Old Ottawa south and has traditionally been a predominantly middle class, neighborhood known as much for maintaining the same aesthetic feel it has had for decades, as it is for having progressive political leanings. Perhaps this unique blend is due in part to the number of students and faculty members from the nearby Carleton University, who call the area home.

With Carleton University, acting as the western boundary of Old Ottawa South it’s no surprise that many of the faculty and students have taken up residence in the area. The influence of the university can be seen not only in the faces of the community, but the ideas and values the community represents. Traditionally Old Ottawa South has leaned a little towards the left side of the political spectrum when choosing their elected officials, a trend that may put a smile on the collective face of the university’s political science department.

Not to be out done, the History department also has a strong influence over the community. A seemingly unending string of antiques stores can be found lining bank street, each one acting as a portal to the past where patrons can become lost for hours among the trinkets and collectibles. Old Ottawa South doesn’t just get its heritage from retail outlets, as the name implies it has been around for a while.

Framed by the Rideau Canal to the north and the Rideau River to the south and the east this area was settled around 1814 by families of mainly English and American origin. The name Rideauville was adopted in 1867, after the neighboring river, and canal. Rideauville remained thinly populated until around the turn of the century. Rapid expansion caused the area to be annexed into Ottawa in 1907, and in 1910, the streetcar tracks were extended, further spurring development and population growth. Many of the houses built during the post war boom in the 1920’s are still standing today, and much of the streetscape remains unchanged.

Along with the Craftsman style housing, there are also a number or other historical buildings in the area, such as Hopewell Public School, Southminster Church, St. Margaret Mary Church, the Mayfair Theatre, and The Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada, which was previously a convent. In total, there are roughly 300 homes and buildings in Old Ottawa South that can be found on Ottawa's heritage reference list.
Continue typing here...

With beautiful tree lined streets, there is a picturesque small town appeal to Old Ottawa South you would normally not find so close to the downtown core of a major city. The abundance of heritage buildings and a street layout that reminds us of a simpler time, its not surprising that Old Ottawa South has also been able to hang on to the same values and sense of community that was prevalent back in the day. The same spirit can be seen regularly in the printing of the community newspaper the Ottawa South Community Association Review.

Old Ottawa South is a community that blends youth and progression with experience and tradition, and proves that living in the downtown core of a major city doesn’t have to be cold and impersonal, it can be inviting and rewarding, all you have to do is take part and appreciate the neighborhood you live in.

 

www.OttawaFocus.com