Dave Allston

Dave Allston is the senior asset manager (heritage) at National Defence, where he has worked in various capacities, including almost six years managing small team performing data quality and analysis on the National Defence portfolio, and five years as acting chief, IE Business and Data Support. He is also the returning officer for Ottawa Centre with Elections Ontario. Dave has a strong interest in local history and, since 1998, has been operating Houstalgia Research Company, providing historical research and detailed reports on the history of heritage and non-recognized properties, houses and neighbourhoods, as well as social, legal and architectural studies of properties over a 200-year period. In 2015, he began writing for the Kitchissippi Times community newspaper, and launched his own history blog, the Kitchissippi Museum. Dave has been a guest speaker for many groups and organizations, and contributes regularly to many mainstream media groups (such as the CBC and Ottawa Citizen) when a Kitchissippi-area local history issue arises. He also volunteers at community events, promoting his collection of local historical photos, maps and artifacts, as well as at local seniors’ residences, as well as at local seniors’ residences, conducting genealogical research.

The unknown story of Westboro’s earliest retail presence

Kitchissippi comprises multiple neighbourhoods, each of which has its own story of early development....

Early Days: The golden age of Kitchissippi cinema

The commercial districts within Kitchissippi have a lot going for them. The Westboro and...

One of the most unique buildings in Kitchissippi is now one of the most neglected

On the road to Lemieux Island, just off the SJAM Parkway, lies the mysterious...

Early Days: Richmond Roads home with a forgotten name

The Canadian Bank Note Company on Richmond Road at Kirkwood is a familiar building...

Maison Jeanne D’Arc: The tenth anniversary of a potential teardown

It has now been nearly ten years since a group of concerned citizens and...

The tale of “Westboro Manor”

One of Westboro’s most impressive structures is located at 330 Churchill Avenue, just south...
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Lost and found: a Kitchissippi mystery

As time passes, history begins to fade. The lives and events, the people and...

Cave Creek: the “scourge” of early Kitchissippi

For decades during the earliest days of Kitchissippi, there was a small but significant...

Early Days: Prohibition and the history of hooch in Kitchissippi

This year marks the 100th anniversary of prohibition in Ontario, a significant era in...

Early Days: Climb aboard for a short history of the streetcar

To present-day residents of Kitchissippi, Byron Linear Park is a much-appreciated strip of greenspace...

A look back at Laroche Park: Carnivals, picnics, giant rats, and a terrible injury

This is the second of two columns about Laroche Park. The first one can...

Early Days: The long history of Laroche Park

Laroche Park has always been a significant part of the lives of local residents,...
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