Intersections of History: Stories Behind Downtown Ottawa Street Names
Was the street named for Lord Elgin or Lord Elgin named for the street?
Come explore the stories and histories behind the street names of downtown Ottawa! We'll walk through downtown Ottawa and Centretown, roughly tracing the early years of Ottawa's growth. Along the way, we'll talk about the layers of meaning embedded in the street signs and neighbourhoods we pass, as well as broader themes about commemoration and legacy in the modern city.
We'll share stories about familiar figures from Ottawa's past whose names still grace our streets, as well as lesser-known figures whose names have faded over time. This is a walk about the legacies of people and places, the power of naming, and how street names are so much more than arbitrary navigation signposts.
