Neighbourly Ottawa - Why “Old” Ottawa South?

Posted on March 24, 2008 
Filed Under Buying Your New Home, Neighbourly Ottawa, Valerie Zinger

Yes, the community is old but it is difficult to imagine a community so close to the centre of Ottawa being called Old Ottawa South.  Why? 

Southerly.   For the longest time the area was called Ottawa South but as the suburbs grew further and further south, the community added “Old” to Ottawa South to distinquish it from areas further south.  This community is bordered by the Rideau Canal on the north (separating it from the Glebe) and the Rideau River on the south.  On the west side is the continuation of the canal and on the east is Main Street. 

Old Ottawa versus the Glebe.  Old Ottawa South is a wonderful place to live.  You can hear the little jibes that go on between the Glebe and Ottawa South.  In Old Ottawa, the houses are a bit younger.  The most telling architectural feature is that so many of the houses were built with verandas.  So, unlike the Great Glebe Garage Sale, Old Ottawa South has the Porch Sale. The proximity to Carleton University means that there is a  seasonal influx of students living in the neighbourhood.  The Mayfair Theatre has managed to keep open with the large student population and the university faculty being so near.  It is a bargain evening.

Laundry, shopping and relaxing.  When we first moved to Ottawa, we rented the second floor of a house on Hopewell.  I still have “fond” memories of sitting in the Majestic Laundromat on Bank with a tall cafe latte grande -  to see me through the process on a Sunday morning.  While sitting in a laundromat may sound like a couple of hours of boredom, it was one sure way of getting all the clothes washed, dried and folded in the shortest time possible.   In addition to the laundry, there is an excellent library branch, a wonderful kitchen shop called Grace in the Kitchen and pubs and places to eat.  The May Court, a well run hospice, is located in Ottawa South. Almost every picture in my home has been framed and re-framed at a shop called Framed .  I love their little knick knacks and the service. There is a lot to see and shops to visit. 

Antiques in Old Ottawa South.  The area is well known for the number of antique stores.  Some may think that that is why it is called

Old Ottawa South

Valerie Zinger ~ PH. 613-723-5300 ~ Email vzinger@royallepage.ca

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