The Olde Forge - Ottawa, Ontario - Ontario Heritage Properties on Waymarking.com

The Olde Forge

"The Olde Forge was constructed circa 1830 as a single storey log house. Alterations in 1931, 1975 and 1986, brought it to its current form as a 1-1/2 storey log and wood frame structure, the upper storey of which is sheathed in stucco. There are two additions to the rear of the building, one constructed in 1931 and the other in 1986. Each rear addition is sheathed in false half log siding. The building features a large stone chimney and irregular fenestration typical of the log structures constructed during the initial settlement of much of Ontario. As such, it is a rare example of log construction in Ottawa, although the log building has been subsumed by later additions to the building.

The Olde Forge was owned by members of the Winthrop Family from its construction until it was expropriated by the City of Ottawa in 1956. It is assumed that George Winthrop, the original owner, established his blacksmith shop on the site soon after his settlement there in the early 1830s; certainly the forge was included in the census of 1851. His heir, Robert Winthrop, sold agricultural implements in addition to operating the forge, indicating the success of the agricultural community surrounding Ottawa in the pre-World War I era. When the property again changed hands in 1929, it had not served as either a forge or an agricultural implements dealer for some time and Britannia had become known primarily as a cottage community and destination for day-trippers. Its next use reflects the changing character of the community - Winthrop renovated the property and opened it as a restaurant in 1931, presumably to attract clientele who travelled what was then the Richmond Road to reach their destinations in Britannia. In 1941, he added a gas station to the site. In 1956, the property was expropriated by the City of Ottawa becoming first a tourist information centre and then a community resource centre in 1974. Its history reflects the development of Ottawa as a logging and agricultural service centre to a large municipality with a full range of services."

Reference: (visit link)

Link to Property in The Ontario Properties Database: [Web Link] Building or Property Type: Residential Building County or Regional Municipality: Ottawa-Carleton

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Date Logged Log User Rating   06/16/2020 Vhoneyman visited it 05/23/2014 The Burrow visited it 08/23/2013 lindeye visited it 04/09/2013 petendot visited it 03/27/2013 elyob visited it

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