The Ottawa Journal from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Page 46

ey 2 Bytom 150th Anniversary It took 150 years Ottawa Journal Monday, September 27, 1976 'Colonel By Valley' honors our founder By DON EARLE Governor in Chief of British North America, and Colonel been By, who was to be the super- "intending- engineer of the has The year 1976 "quite a year! How green is By Valley The area around the flight of eight locks beside the Chateau Laurier has been dedicated to the memory of the founder of the community which became the nation's capi-" tal. for granted. Boats cruised through the locks, joggers ran along the banks, cyclists pedalled down the paths, and skaters skimmed along the ice. Colonel By had built for Ottawa a huge playground which today Is the soul of the city. But few remembered him.

On the hundredth anniversary of Ottawa's founding, In 1926, a block of granite was dedicated. It was to be a base for a statue of Colonel By. No statue was ever placed upon it. In 1961, the Historical Society of Ottawa began a campaign to erect a statue ot Colonel By. For 10 years they worked, begged and pleaded until the $35,000 was raised.

The statue, created by Emlle Brunet, standing on Major's Hill Park, is as much a tribute to the work of the Historical Society as to Colonel By. Now with the dedication of the. "By Valley," victory has been achieved. There is a finality about the naming of a geographical location; it can't be changed. It took a long time, but Ottawa has finally paid trio- -ute to Its founder.

Colonel By would be pleased. canat, met on the shore of the Ottawa River below what was to become many years later Parliament Hill. And It was on that historic day that they chose the entrance to the canal from the Ottawa River, and laid the ground work for a village to grow a round the canal. The rest Is history. Six years and four million dollars later the canal was com- pleted, and today, Ottawa Is a thriving national capital.

So the dedication of the valley has special significance. According to Robert Ilaig, a historian who recommended six years ago a "By -Valley" be named In honor of Colonel By, Ottawa has the unique opportunity of dedicating the exact location of Its conception. And right next to the locks Is one of Ottawa's oldest buildings, the Bytown Museum. But it wasn't always this way. For years, Ottawa chose to ignore its founder.

Oh, there was the RIdeau Canal, but everybody took it' The Olympics, the American Bicentennial, the Canada Cup hockey series, the 150th anniversary of the founding of Ottawa, your daughter's birthday Now wait a minute, the i 150th anniversary of the founding of Bytown? Yes, the City of Ottawa is 150- years old this year, a birthday which has been drowned out by the more spectacular events of the year. But there have been some celebrations, small ones at (he community level. yesterday, September 26, was the climax. 'A "valley" was dedicated to Colonel By. It took 150 years, but Ottawa has finally paid tribute to its founder.

The valley, between the Chateau Laurier and Parliament Hill was dedicated as "Colonel By Valley," in honor of the founder of Ottawa. September 26, 1826 was an important day in the history of Ottawa. For it was on that day that the Earl of Dalhousie, the Russ Manl Journal-CP mm 1 ml i 1 OF SERVING OTTAWA growing with Ottawa and looking forward to a bright Future In 1 925 Hulse Playfalr opened a Funeral Home at 31 5 McLeod Street with a Chapel being added In 1939. Because of the Increased growth of the city and to offer better service, a second complete Funeral Home and Chapel was opened In 1959 at 1098 Byron Avenue. Over the past 51 years Hulse Playfalr has offered advice and counsel to thousands of Ottawa families.

Hulse Playfalr Is owned and directed by Canadians who have lived the greater part of their lives in Ottawa. It is staffed by members who take an active part in Church, Fraternal and Community activities, enabling them to offer respectful funeral services that conform to all religious denominations. Hulse Playfalr Is grateful for the trust placed In them by the people of Ottawa and will continue to offer the same personal service In the years ahead. fire N7i it I All Canadian Ownership I few! f' i i Thelen Torontow Ltd. is an all Ottawa and area firm and proud of it.

In just over 1 1 years they have grown from one small store to their presents lighting showrooms with both commercial and residential Lighting Services. Since 1925 Central Chapel. 315 McLeod Street umW With a Trained and Competent staff of Lighting consultants, Thelen Torontow Ltd. can give you valuable assistance when planning your Lighting needs. Hint Why not drop by one of their Modern Lighting showrooms and view the latest in Lamps, Lamp Shades and Lighting Fixtures, both indoor and outdoor lighting.

Light up today for a brighter and more decorative tomorrow. Remember the best in light is always right from the iijg. I 4 West Chapel, 1 098 Byron Avenue eLAIRD P. BARCLAY Director 7r 'I mm iwJ LeJJUdil CLIFFORD H. UOYD SST i 31 1m eervlce I k.

w- McQARRY Willi TOROtJTOW KEITH A. SHAVER Vlce-Preeldent 28 year eervlc CHARLES H. HULSE Director C1.kmn of the Board 61 yean service LIGHTING CENTRES -in- v. 1l f'k 14 years eervlce 282 BANK ST. AT SOMERSET FREE PARKING comer Somerset md Dink CShunrock Lot) LES GALERIES DE HULL BAYSHORE SHOPPING CENTRE 237-4944 770-2381 829-9661 FUNERAL DIRECTORS 1098 BYRON AVENUE 728-1761 ALEX C.

CALDWELL CHARQEX OR MASTER CHARGE WELCOME 315 McLEOO STREET 233-1143 Dlreclor II years service.