The Mann Avenue Project (Strathcona Heights), 1947

Bulletin-Mann

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One of the most interesting affordable housing developments in Ottawa’s history has been, at least to me, the so-called Mann Avenue Project, later renamed to Strathcona Heights. I have written about it briefly before on this site (and it has figured into other writing). The CMHC recently put a scanned copy of this small development bulletin on its FTP site and I figured that it would be nice to share.

Though undated, the bulletin appears to have been published some time around late 1949 or early 1950, just before its residents voted to have it officially renamed to “Strathcona Heights”.1It was renamed at the request of the Mann Avenue Community Council, a group of residents formed the previous fall. See “Community Council Being Formed at Mann Avenue,” Ottawa Journal, September 26, 1949, p. 21; “Mann Avenue Project Now Becomes Strathcona Heights,” Ottawa Journal, November 8, 1950, p. 1.

I am not certain about where being locally referred to as “Ottawa’s New Town” came from, as it does not appear to have been printed in the local papers or anywhere else but this bulletin.

Notes

Notes
1 It was renamed at the request of the Mann Avenue Community Council, a group of residents formed the previous fall. See “Community Council Being Formed at Mann Avenue,” Ottawa Journal, September 26, 1949, p. 21; “Mann Avenue Project Now Becomes Strathcona Heights,” Ottawa Journal, November 8, 1950, p. 1.

South Porcupine Burns, 1911

When you grow up in South Porcupine, one of the early historic lessons learned is about the Great Fire of 1911. In addition to burning more than 200,000 hectares of Northeastern Ontario and killing 70, it also levelled the two young mining settlements in the area, Pottsville and South Porcupine.

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Then & Now: Parliament and Winchester

Parliament and Winchester, southeast corner, 1954 and 2015. It’s wonderfully-restored and a listed property, but gosh do I wish that 1941 signage would have been kept.1See the city staff report for details about the 2005 renovation plan.

Notes

Notes
1 See the city staff report for details about the 2005 renovation plan.

Then & Now: Islington and Fordwich

The corner of Islington Avenue and Fordwich Crescent, 1955 and 2015. Postwar suburbanization is a well-known story, really. It was quick.

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Then & Now: Wallace and Symington

Wallace and Symington, north west corner, 1930 and 2015. By today’s standards, the Junction Triangle still contains what I would consider a large number of local stores. Of course, when you take a walk through, it’s quite plain that there were, at one time or another, many many more. You can see the (still-operating) store across the street in the “related posts” below when you click on the article.

Woolworth’s on Rideau

The Woolworth’s on Rideau Street in 1978. Image: HBC Heritage.

In 1993, after 78 years in business, the Woolworth’s on Rideau Street announced its closure. The ailing chain of discount stores, then in throes of death, undertook to reorganize and closed 150 stores across the country. In Ottawa, aside from the Rideau Woolworth, the Woolco in the Merivale Mall was slated to close.1Kelly Egan, “Cashing out after 78 years; Customers, staff lament downtown Woolworth closure,” Ottawa Citizen, October 23, 1993, C1. According to Woolworth officials, it was tentatively scheduled to close its doors for the last time on December 24, leaving the 50-odd employees with something of a bittersweet Christmas.2”Woolworth to close Byward landmark,” Ottawa Citizen, October 16, 1993, 6.

Continue reading Woolworth’s on Rideau

Notes

Notes
1 Kelly Egan, “Cashing out after 78 years; Customers, staff lament downtown Woolworth closure,” Ottawa Citizen, October 23, 1993, C1.
2 ”Woolworth to close Byward landmark,” Ottawa Citizen, October 16, 1993, 6.

A Parking Lot Announcement

In spite of the pictures above, this won’t be about the much-fabled Yonge Street pedestrian mall of the 1970s. That history has been well covered in a number of places, like Torontoist, Active History, Spacing, and BlogTO. I will note that it’s nice to see the idea gaining some currency once more.

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Then & Now: Danforth & Gough

Danforth & Gough, 1984 and 2016.

In August 1984, the Toronto Star reported that 40 people from the surrounding neighbourhood had taken Sun Valley Fruit to the Ontario Municipal Board to force them to provide parking.

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