A new feature, the heritage pop-up made its debut in King Edward/Bordeleau Park on Sunday, March 7.  Posters placed at the remains of the bridge across the Rideau River tell the story of the various bridges that carried trains across the Rideau River to the railyards in Lowertown.       

A Gift to Lowertown:
​The Andrew W.Fleck Memorial Building

The Andrew Fleck Memorial Building is home to theAndrew Fleck Child Care Centre Photo Pat McGrath Ottawa Citizen

Shannon Ricketts - There was a day when working mothers were frowned upon. Only the most desperate, whose husbands had died or were incapable of supporting their family, resorted to leaving their home to find paid employment. Then, as now,"the question was how to find a safe place for their pre-school children? The response was the beginning of the day care movement. The earliest-known purpose-built day care in Ottawa is still very much in use at 195 George Street, just across from the Metro grocery store.
Designed in 1932 by well-known Ottawa architect John Albert Ewart, it is a charming, two story brick structure with a homey domestic appearance. It was named in honour of Ottawa businessman Andrew Fleck, late husband of the Ottawa Day Nursery's President, Gertrude Fleck. The Fleck family purchased the land and paid the costs of the design and construction of the building; Some 80 years later it is busier than ever.

Many stories of Lowertown's rich heritage can be found in the community newspaper The Lowertown Echo de la Basse-ville. At last count, there were 147 stories listed under the Heritage category.
As well, we will be posting links to other useful projects you can do to help tell the story of Lowertown to present and future generations. These will appear in the Archives and be searchable by category.