ByWard Market

ByWard Market

ByWard Market Hall
Coordinates	45.4271°N 75.6923°W / 45.4271; -75.6923
Address	55 ByWard Market Square Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9C3
Goods sold	Produce, souvenirs, food, jewelry
Website	www.byward-market.com

York Street in the ByWard Market

Fresh produce at the ByWard Market

The ByWard Market (French: Marché By) is a vibrant retail and entertainment district located in the heart of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Nestled east of the government and business sector, this historic market encompasses a series of market buildings and an open-air space along George, York, ByWard, and William streets.

The ByWard Market area is bordered to the west by Sussex Drive and Mackenzie Avenue, and to the east by Cumberland Street, extending northward to Cathcart Street and southward to Rideau Street. The name "ByWard" pays homage to the area's origins in the old "By Ward" of Ottawa, named after Lieutenant Colonel John By, the engineer responsible for its initial survey. The district represents the commercial heart of the historic Lower Town area. According to the Canada 2011 Census, the population of the area was 3,063.

The market itself is regulated by a City of Ottawa municipal services corporation named the ByWard Market District Authority, which also operates the smaller west-end Parkdale Market. The corporation is run by a nine-member board of directors. The market building is open year-round, and open-air stalls offering fresh produce and flowers operate during the warmer months.

Neighbourhood

Map of the east-end of Downtown Ottawa

Sussex Drive by the Market

Traditionally, the ByWard Market area has served as a focal point for Ottawa's French and Irish communities. The large Catholic community supported the construction of the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, one of the largest and oldest Roman Catholic churches in Ottawa. The cathedral's design influenced the nearby National Gallery of Canada.

The ByWard Market has continuously adapted to the cosmopolitan nature of downtown Ottawa and trends in Canadian society. Recently, an array of restaurants and specialty food stores have emerged, making the neighbourhood one of Ottawa's liveliest areas after business hours. The market area hosts the densest concentration of dining establishments, bars, and nightclubs in the National Capital Region, attracting many university students and young adults at night.

Condominium construction in the ByWard Market

Over the years, the city has developed five open-air courtyards immediately east of Sussex Drive, stretching from Saint Patrick Street to George Street. These cobblestone courtyards are adorned with flowers, park benches, fountains, and sculptures. Several surrounding houses are historic buildings. On the west side of Sussex Drive lies the United States Embassy. The embassy's design by noted architect David Childs faced criticism from local residents, with some describing the sculpture dedicated by Hillary Clinton as "glaringly and gratingly American".

Jeanne D'Arc Court, the courtyard at George and Sussex

Today, the neighbourhood is diverse, attracting a mix of young professionals, families, and tourists. Primarily English-speaking, it also has a significant francophone population. The Market is in close proximity to the downtown Rideau Centre shopping mall, Parliament Hill, and several foreign embassies.

History and evolution of the ByWard Market

In 1826, Lieutenant Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers was sent from England to oversee the construction of the Rideau Canal system, intended to connect the Ottawa River to Kingston. This massive project led to the emergence of Bytown as a bustling commercial and economic hub. Colonel By's plans included two village sites: one on the west side of the Rideau Canal known as Upper Town, and another to the east called Lower Town.

The land was cleared and surveyed, both villages laid out in a grid system. Lower Town, originally bounded by the Rideau River, Sussex, Clarence, and Rideau Streets, included a designated commercial area within the block bounded by George, Sussex, York, and King Streets. However, much of Lower Town was swampy, requiring drainage; water from the canal was released through a sluice gate known as the By Wash, which emptied into the Rideau River. To facilitate this and leave space for a market building and courthouse, Colonel By designed both George and York Streets to be 132 feet (40 m) wide.

Bytown was divided both physically by the canal and culturally, politically, and economically. Upper Town was settled by officers, tradesmen, and professionals, predominantly Protestants of English or Scottish descent, while Lower Town attracted laborers seeking employment during canal construction, mostly Catholic Irish immigrants and French Canadians. In 1827, the two towns were connected by Sappers Bridge, spanning the canal.

First Market

In 1827, Colonel By allocated £160 from property rents to construct a market building with an attached courthouse on George Street. This original market was significant for its time, built of timber with verandas and a weighing machine. It served as both a marketplace and a public hall for meetings.

The 1830s saw rapid commercial growth in Lower Town, with various establishments, including the first sawmill on York Street, driven by the By Wash's waters. Lower Town soon became a commercial hub.

The George Street market thrived, supplying lumber camps, while farm communities transported goods via the Ottawa River or Rideau waterway. A butchering and meatpacking industry emerged on George Street, leading to the area being dubbed the "Butcher's Shambles". A public well was established in the market square around 1840, solidifying Lower Town's status as a commercial center.

In 1842, the original market building and courthouse were dismantled, but market activities continued informally. The necessity for an organized market became apparent as Bytown was incorporated as a town on July 28, 1847, prompting the new city council to prioritize the development of a market area.

Second Market

The debate for the market's location arose quickly after the first council's election. Lower Town, entitled to four out of seven councillors, had several advantages, including connections to outlying farming areas. Recognizing the need for a market to sustain growth, the council decided to construct two market buildings—one for each town.

Mrs. James Inglis donated her property for the Lower Town market, while Nicholas Sparks offered land for the Upper Town market. The council approved both sites on June 26, 1848, and a Market Committee was established, with Charles Sparrow as its chairman.

The Lower Town Market Building opened on November 6, 1848, featuring stalls and a public meeting space. The Upper Town market was later repurposed as a town hall until 1878, when it was demolished for a new city hall.

In September 1849, the market witnessed the "St. Patrick's Day Riot", a violent conflict between Irish Catholics and Irish Protestants fueled by tensions between Catholic Reformers in Lower Town and Protestant Tories in Upper Town. This violent clash, including an attack on the Mayor of Ottawa, revealed the significant socio-political divisions in the area.

Third Market

By the 1850s, the Lower Town market thrived, but increasing demand led to overcrowding. Recognizing this issue, the council acquired additional land in 1853, improving the market's facilities by adding more stalls and installing a bell to regulate market hours.

However, the market building suffered a devastating fire on January 21, 1862. The council faced difficulties, including inadequate insurance coverage and dissatisfaction with contractor delays in rebuilding. In 1865, the council completed a new structure designed by architect Sydney B. Fripp, enhancing indoor facilities and accommodating more vendors, but external overcrowding persisted.

Fourth Market

By the late 19th century, Ottawa's economic landscape transformed dramatically, prompting the market area to expand. Streets like York, ByWard, and William became commercial hubs, housing a diverse array of businesses, including bakeries, fish markets, and hardware suppliers.

In 1871, the council proposed further expansion in response to persistent overcrowding, leading to plans for two new market structures. The ByWard Market was constructed in 1876, showcasing a distinctive architectural style with towers. Efforts to improve sanitation were also undertaken, including covering the By Wash.

As the 20th century approached, the market adapted to new technological demands, including refrigeration and automotive transportation. The area witnessed a demographic shift, with French-Canadian and Jewish merchants becoming prominent figures in the market landscape.

Fifth Market

In 1926, a fire destroyed the 1876 market building, leading to the construction of the current structure between George and York Streets. The adjacent stone market building survived various challenges until its demolition in 1949, giving way to a parking lot amid increasing automobile traffic.

Today, the ByWard Market retains much of its historical charm while evolving into a vibrant commercial and entertainment hub. Once dominated by traditional industries, the market now features a lively blend of boutiques and restaurants, attracting both locals and tourists who come to savor its eclectic offerings.

Events

The ByWard Market hosts a myriad of events throughout the year, including food festivals, craft fairs, and seasonal celebrations. Visitors can enjoy outdoor concerts and art installations that further enhance the market's lively atmosphere, making it a central gathering place for community engagement and cultural experiences.