Abbott's Guide to Ottawa and Vicinity/Major's Hill Park

by George F. Abbott

 

MAJOR'S HILL PARK

MAJOR'S HILL PARK.

Immediately north of the Chateau Laurier, and entered from Rideau street just east of the hotel, lie 6 acres of Government property (named after Major Bolton, an English Engineer officer). This beautiful park is one of the oldest sites of an Ottawa residence. Carriages are not permitted to enter, but they may be met at St. Patrick street after a walk through the park. Just inside the gate is the "Sharp Shooters" Monument (see p. 23). Farther on to the left formerly stood the residence of Col. By, in compliment to whom the town was first named "Bytown," and whose house, the situation of which is shown in the view on page 34, overlooked the cliff near where the pavillion now stands. The view from this point was described 80 years ago as "the most splendid view that the magnificent scenery of Canada affords." It was this view, as described by Lady Head to Queen Victoria, that undoubtedly was a factor in determining that Ottawa should be the capital of Canada.