Quote:
Originally Posted by lrt's friend
What a stunning photo comparison. I have never seen this perspective of downtown in the old days. It always seemed to be from Sparks Street.
City Hall in the background burned in 1931. Perhaps if times were better, the building could have been salvaged but after significant debate, it was demolished. Likewise with the Russell House Hotel, another beautiful structure seen in front of City Hall. It was Ottawa's premier hotel until the Chateau Laurier opened and ultimately the latter put it out of business in the mid 1920s. The abandoned hotel burned in the late 20s and was demolished to make way for Confederation Square. What is not seen was another magnificent building, which would have been behind the buildings on the left, the old Post Office. That building did not burn but was demolished to make way for the war memorial in the late 1930s. The 1930s were a tough time in Ottawa as many beautiful structures were torn down, at least partly because of the Great Depression.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ion_Square.jpg
The Post Office and Russell House Hotel to the left
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...e_19390428.jpg
Just after everything was demolished. |
Wow, what lovely pictures! The top one is amazing! The buildings might have been the same height (same problem as downtown Ottawa today) but they are done with such quailty and such architectural details.. Reminds me of some arrondissements in Paris
