Blacksmith, community-minded citizen and fire chief instrumental in building the neighbourhood By Dave Allston When Patrick Mears first arrived in Westboro in 1903, the village was barely on the map. The name Westboro was only four years old, the population was under 200, and the village was largely […]
Dear Editor: That was an interesting article in October’s Kitchissippi Times by Dave Allston on Kitchissippi’s early automobile pioneers. As a founding member of the local Rolls-Royce and Bentley club of the St. Lawrence Valley, I was then reading a book about the earliest Rolls-Royce cars and there […]
By Dave Allston – The 1960s yielded many crazes, like go-go boots, Ouija boards, bellbottoms, and sea monkeys. However, one craze that has stood the test of time is pizza! For many it would be hard to imagine a menu plan without this staple. It’s tasty as a […]
By Dave Allston – Wellington Village turns 100 years old this year, and though now part of a seamless series of neighbourhoods that frequently leads to identity confusion (is it part of Hintonburg? Westboro?), it has a very unique history that sets it apart from those slightly older […]
By Dave Allston – There’s a wide variety of schooling available for children living in Kitchissippi in 2019, with options for language, faith, special needs, and more. For the majority of kids, their school is just a short walk or bike ride away. Sometimes we take this kind […]
By Dave Allston – Like most of the original homes that front Wellington Street West, the stately brick home at the corner of Granville Avenue was converted to commercial space many years ago. Now the offices of Toon Dreessen’s well-respected firm, Architects DCA, the building and property holds […]
By Dave Allston – In many ways, Kitchissippi still had a very rural, village-like feel as late as the 1970s. This is perhaps no better exemplified than in a unique event that brought tens of thousands of Ottawans to Kitchissippi every year: a professional dog sled derby! Long-time […]
By Dave Allston – The iconic Lululemon building in the heart of Westboro, on the village’s busiest corner, turns 100 years old in 2019. This building has housed important shops, restaurants, medical offices and even homes that have been integral to life in Westboro. There are a century’s worth […]
By Dave Allston – The early growth of Kitchissippi, and indeed Ottawa as a whole, was greatly influenced by a single event: the Great Fire of 1900. The fire nearly wiped out all of Hull, LeBreton Flats, and the neighbourhood between Booth and the O-Train line as far […]
By Dave Allston – In the final quarter of the 19th century, Hintonburg began to take shape as a small village. It owed its existence both to the Richmond Road, which brought farmers and travellers to and from Ottawa, and to the railroad, which created employment and opportunity. […]
By Dave Allston – As McKellar-Bingham House on Richmond Road begins to approach 200 years of age, its colourful history is emblematic of the development of the area. Home to several pioneer west-end families, it has stood the test of time thanks to the initiative of key individuals […]
By Dave Allston – Television’s arrival in Ottawa in 1953 was no doubt one of the most memorable events for anyone who lived through that era. It had a significant influence on the social and economic habits of local families and it was here in Kitchissippi that television […]
By Dave Allston – A piece of Kitchissippi’s past has slipped away with time, so shocking in its tragedy that it is almost unbelievable. This story has never been written about in any book or blog and has almost been deliberately erased from history. Few who experienced it are […]
By Dave Allston – The 1930s was an era of depression and lean times, but it was also the golden age of cinema. Perhaps to escape the occasional dreariness of life, residents would flock to the theatre, as movie-houses began appearing in every neighbourhood, including Westboro. However, Westboro […]
By Dave Allston – Just off Richmond Road, at 408 Tweedsmuir Ave., stands an impressive brick house. Tucked behind the Circle K (formerly Mac’s) gas station and convenience store, is one of Westboro’s original homes. Now closing in on 130 years of age, it represents a significant amount […]
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