The Spiders At City Hall

 I proceeded onward, with Ottawa City Hall being another destination for Doors Open. Approaching the main north entrance, I took this shot, which includes the Cartier Square Drill Hall off to the left.

City Hall consists of this modern wing and an older wing, the Heritage Building. It also shares the property with a provincial courthouse, which I spent some time in during early June. I was testifying for the Crown in a criminal trial, in late April and resuming over a couple of days in early June. I'd prefer to never do so again.

I went inside. The contemporary style of this wing is a striking design.

These two cosplayers were inside for an event. Spider-Man is obvious even to non-comics readers. The other one is Ghost Spider, an alternate reality version of Gwen Stacy, who hops between dimensions on a regular basis.

This pair of flags in a display case marks the 150 years of the Governor General's Foot Guards, a military unit well known here.

The Heritage Building is the other wing of City Hall. It dates to 1875 when it was opened as a school. Today it houses municipal offices and conference rooms, including the mayor's offices. In previous years, it has been part of Doors Open, but for whatever reason, not this year. I passed by the building, which is vastly different from the contemporary wing.

Here is the west entrance, with the city flag at left.

A grove of trees on the south side of the property was planted in honour of veterans, and have grown well ever since.

One last shot from here.

Carleton County Gaol

More from within Death Row in the old Carleton County Gaol today. A visit here is a sobering experience.

As noted yesterday, there were only three official executions held here.

This cell, with a ball and chain, is particularly evocative.

These are photographs of a documentary done several years ago in the old gaol.

This window, past the cells, looks out to the next building over, the former courthouse, which has a tunnel connection to this one. Now that courthouse is home to Arts Court, a home for multiple artistic groups.

Criminal justice changes. When Ontario was still Upper Canada, much of the legal system was based on the "bloody code" of Britain's legal system, where many crimes could be capital crimes. 

Windows in Death Row were like this- wooden slats in an upward position to minimize views outside.

A look back down the stairs.

And a final view from the street, with ivy draped over the wall.

Dead Man Walking

My next Doors Open destination was the Carleton County Gaol, in the downtown core. It shares the property with a former courthouse, a hotel, and the Ottawa Art Gallery, seen at upper right. This building dates to 1862, serving as a prison for 110 years until its closure. It then became a hostel, which it remains to this day.

It is imposing from the outside, and the parking lot I was standing in must have been the yard for the prison back in the day.

A door was open at the back.

Beyond, a courtyard. The tour begins at that entrance.

Looking up, that black square recessed above is the gallows.

Here we have it from inside. The floor would open up, and the condemned would fall to their death. A noose has been placed here.

There were only three hangings (officially) in the old gaol, but the inhumane conditions of the prison are well known, and the place feels oppressive, as though you are being watched. Not surprisingly, there are plenty of ghost stories associated with the building.

Death row is on the top floor, with four cells. A series of historical display panels are found here, going into specific details about the gaol, criminal justice, and the death penalty, which was ultimately abolished in Canada.

The cells can be entered.

The Courtyard

 More today from inside the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat. The building is so different, but a work of art in and of itself.

This signage shows the exterior garden courtyard in winter conditions.

And here we have it as seen this time of year. A peaceful place, with trees and hedges, one that has a calming effect.

I proceeded back in to take some more shots.

One final shot. Tomorrow we go to a place that is older, very different, and feels oppressive inside.