John By being a military officer, it made sense that he brought soldiers and officers with him to spearhead the building of the Rideau Canal alongside the civilian workers.
One of his primary contractors for the job was the stonemason Thomas McKay, who would go on to found the village of New Edinburgh, today part of the city. And his family home would be expanded in time to become the residence of the governor general- Rideau Hall.
Some of the tools that went into building the Canal.
A period photograph of the Ottawa Locks, with the Canal offices on the far shore- now just a memory.
This door knocker once was part of the By home, which stood in what's now Major's Hill Park.
With the completion of the Canal, lumber became the big business in the Ottawa Valley, and timber barons rose up with their own businesses on both sides of the river.
The E.B. Eddy company was one of those timber companies, and manager James Hunnam crafted a work of art that would be displayed at the World's Fair in Philadelphia in 1876. Today the table resides here.
The most prominent of all of the timber barons was J.R. Booth.
The men who actually cut the timber led a harder life than those who employed them, and often a dangerous one.
This is fabulous William. The 1876 centennial in Philadelphia was a huge deal. Buildings and monuments were constructed that stand in Fairmount Park to this day. I like the knocker with Mercury and his helmet. Very cool William to learn about the lumber. Barons. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteVery, very impressive.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThat table's a beauty. If the canal workers were anything like as lawless as those who did similar work in the UK then it was probably wise to have soldiers along to maintain a bit of order.
ReplyDeleteIt was a rough town in those first decades.
DeleteThe carvings on the table top is looking amazing
ReplyDeleteDefinitely.
DeleteThat map table is incredible! Now wondering if it started out as a table or became one after the World's Fair.
ReplyDeleteStarted as a table.
DeleteSpiffy uniform! But you gotta hope he didn't wear it on the battlefield.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, muskets of that time weren't all that accurate.
DeleteThat table is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed.
DeleteGostei de ver.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
Thank you.
DeleteEsa mesa de madera, me ha gustado bastante.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteA great summary of part of our history, William.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteSo many tidbits like Rideau Hall and wow! to that table.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteWonderful exhibit, I like the door knocker and the table is lovely. Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Delete...an axe was a necessary tool!
ReplyDeleteIt was.
DeleteMore history that is new to me.
ReplyDeleteKnown to me.
DeleteInteresting artwork. Your header looks great!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI love seeing the artifacts and the paintings.
ReplyDeleteMe too.
DeleteOMG, that table is gorgeous! I love it.
ReplyDeleteI do too.
DeleteThe door knocker and the table are lovely!
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteAn amazing table, a beautiful piece of art.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteLumberjacks have a dangerous, tough job, for sure.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely.
DeleteThat table looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
It does.
DeleteWow ~ Fascinating history post and photos ~
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Thank you.
DeleteThe table is incredible!
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
Delete