Wednesday, December 11, 2013

The Colonel

Coming into Major's Hill Park, this statue of Colonel John By stands looking west, on the bluffs above the Rideau Canal of which he designed and oversaw the construction. The soil around the statue and behind will be filled with tulips in May.


A short walk away in the park are the foundation stones of the home he and his family lived in while the Canal was being built. It was a home for British officers after their departure, until the house burned down some years later. An interpretive panel stands close by. 


Artifacts found on the site are preserved in bronze on other small panels.


The York Steps are one path out of the park, a staircase down into the Byward Market, beside the American embassy. This first set of steps gives us a view of the Peace Tower over on Parliament Hill, and the complete staircase is often used by wedding photographers bringing a wedding party over from the park.


Some additional shots from the park coming in tomorrow's post....



17 comments:

  1. Fascinating: I've never seen artifacts kept like that. Must be a lovely place for a stroll any time of year!

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  2. Colonel John By has a fab view from this point.. I can see why this spot is popular for wedding photos William.

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  3. You're doing a great job of selling your city, I must say.

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  4. The Colonel looks very regal standing there.

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  5. I do love a good statue. The preserved artifacts are lovely too.

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  6. @Ciel: it is, yes.

    @Grace: parkland is one thing that gets done well here. I think this one falls under federal jurisdiction.

    @Mike: thank you!

    @Sharon: and of course he's in full dress uniform. I don't think he would have been wearing that whilst working on the Canal!

    @Krisztina: wait til you see the statue in tomorrow's post!

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  7. I'm learning a lot about Ottawa!

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  8. Can't wait to see your shot of this in May with the tulips!

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  9. I love those amazing artifacts! Agree with others, Colonel By looks very regal indeed:)

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  10. Excellent post. Can't wait to see his statue surrounded by Tulips.
    MB.

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  11. @Norma: despite the politicians!

    @RedPat: I'm pleased to be a guide!

    @Cheryl: I'll definitely photograph it!

    @LondonLulu: thank you!

    @Hamilton: we even name the Civic Holiday after him.

    @Small City: it'll take awhile, but I'll certainly take it!

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  12. You had some nice light! Interesting post.

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  13. Imposing statue! It's probably the uniform. Great pictures, William.

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  14. That bronze panel is a find! What an inventive form of preservation. Thanks so much; beautiful post.

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  15. @Linda: thanks!

    @Mari: the uniform does it every time.

    @Merry: thank you!

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