Two hundred years, from a colonial perspective. On 16 August 1826, General George Ramsey, 9th Earl of Dalhousie and Governor General of British North America, wrote to Lieutenant-Colonel John By advising of his “purchase” of land for the Crown that contained the site of the head locks for the proposed Rideau Canal on the Ottawa River. <HSO Blog Post>
A good New Year’s Resolution for celebrating in 2026 would be to dip into one or more of these ten highly regarded books on Ottawa’s history. They range from modern, comprehensive histories to 19th-century primary accounts.
Essential General Histories
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“Ottawa: An Illustrated History” by John H. Taylor (1986)
Considered one of the definitive modern histories of the city. It traces Ottawa’s evolution from a rough military outpost and timber town into a national capital, weaving together political, social, and geographical history with over 150 historical photographs. -
“Ottawa—Making a Capital” edited by Jeff Keshen and Nicole St-Onge (2001)
An academic but accessible collection of 24 essays. It covers diverse topics, including Indigenous pre-contact history, the Voyageurs, the Great Fire of 1900, and the development of the civil service. -
“Ottawa Old and New” by Lucien Brault (1946)
A classic reference work by a former professor and historian of the city. Although older, it provides detailed factual information on the city’s early development and infrastructure.
The Bytown Era & Early Settlement
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“Ottawa Stories: Trials and Triumphs in Bytown History” by Cliff Scott (2014)
A more narrative-driven look at the “wild” days of Bytown. It features stories of characters like Big Joe Mufferaw, early political scandals, and the violent “Shiners’ War” between rival lumber factions. -
“Thomas Mackay: The Laird of Rideau Hall and the Founding of Ottawa” by Alastair Sweeny
This biography focuses on one of Bytown’s most influential figures—the man who built the Rideau Canal locks and Rideau Hall. It offers a unique perspective on the city’s industrial and architectural origins. -
“Bytown at Your Fingertips” by Robert Serré (2011)
A detailed guide to the early years of the settlement, focusing on the people and streets of the original Bytown community before it was renamed Ottawa in 1855.
Primary Accounts & Historical Perspectives
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“Recollections of Bytown and its Old Inhabitants” by William Pittman Lett (1874)
Written by Ottawa’s first City Clerk and unofficial “bard,” this provides a firsthand, often poetic account of life in the town during its transition from Bytown to the capital. -
“Records of the Rise and Progress of the City of Ottawa” by Gertrude Van Cortlandt (1858)
One of the earliest published histories of the city, written shortly after Ottawa was chosen as the capital.
Specialized Topics
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“Our Story” : the Story of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinàbeg by Stephen McGregor (2004)
Indigenous perspective -
“The Mile of History” by Lucien Brault (1981)
A focused look at Sussex Drive and the historical heart of the city’s market and parliamentary district.
An internet search will find many more, including fiction set in Ottawa. The Ottawa Historical Society has published a broad range of Ottawa history, including the Bytown Pamphlet series, now comprising 129 volumes.
Perhaps your favourite, maybe even your own publication, is missing. Don’t hesitate to add to the list in the comments.