Westboro
Encyclopedia
Westboro is a neighbourhood of Ottawa
, Canada
, often referred to as Westboro Village. Located along the Ottawa River
, the neighbourhood is bordered on the east by Island Park Drive
, and on the west by Woodroffe Avenue
. The Southern border can be stretched up to Carling Avenue
. Westboro's northern border is defined by the Ottawa River.
The neighbourhood got its start in the late nineteenth century, when flyers were published proclaiming 'Move to Westboro,' and offering prospective residents 'views of the Laurentian Mountains.' This slightly creative name for the distant geological formation along the Eardley escarpment is now better known as the Gatineau Hills
. The Gatineau Hills can be seen across the Ottawa River.
Nineteenth-century descriptions of the neighbourhood refer to its location along the Macadam
Road to Bells Corners
. That road is now known as Richmond Road
, and where it slices through Westboro it is the commercial heart of the Village-like neighbourhood, once the centre of the old Nepean Township
. The old Town Hall on Richmond Road used to house the bell that later became the symbol of the former city of Nepean
, now a part of the city of Ottawa
. The Maplelawn Garden, boasting the second oldest building in Ottawa (built in 1831) and designated a National Historic Site, is located at the western edge of the village.
The other prominent street in Westboro Village is Churchill Avenue. This street was known as Main Street, but was renamed in honour of Winston Churchill
following World War II
. A few blocks to the west, another street was originally named River Road since it bisected the neighbourhood and led down to the beach on the Ottawa River. That street was renamed Roosevelt Avenue for similar post-war reasons. The renaming was also due to Westboro's integration into Ottawa and that there were already streets named River Road and Main Street.
Westboro existed as a police village
from 1903 to 1949 when it was annexed by Ottawa. An Ottawa streetcar line
used to run along what is now a narrow grass strip along Byron Avenue, bringing Ottawa residents to an area once considered cottage country. Many cottage-like residences still exist today, especially by the Ottawa River north of Scott Street.
Westboro is a thriving community with a lively street scene. Several condominium projects are encouraging densification and promising to bring more people to the neighbourhood. The village features murals painted by a local artist. Westfest, a free music festival, is held every year during the second weekend in June, and features a variety of local and national performers. The neighbourhood also boasts a concentration of outdoors and sport stores including Mountain Equipment Co-op
, Vancouver-based trendy lululemon athletica
, Bushtukah, The Expedition Shoppe and Trailhead and is close to cycling trails and whitewater rapids in the Ottawa River
. Boutiques, restaurants and coffee shops on Richmond Road have helped turn Westboro into a trendy neighbourhood. The Newport Restaurant
is amongst the best known local businesses.
The neighbourhood is served by two OC Transpo
stations: Westboro
and Dominion
.
Westboro encompasses a large part of the western part of Ottawa, and many smaller sub-neighbourhoods. Including the core Westboro village located north of Richmond Road, there exists the following sub-neighbourhoods:
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, often referred to as Westboro Village. Located along the Ottawa River
Ottawa River
The Ottawa River is a river in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. For most of its length, it now defines the border between these two provinces.-Geography:...
, the neighbourhood is bordered on the east by Island Park Drive
Island Park Drive
Island Park Drive is a short, but important and scenic, north-south street in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is one of several parkways in Ottawa administered by the National Capital Commission providing scenic routes throughout Canada's capital region....
, and on the west by Woodroffe Avenue
Woodroffe Avenue (Ottawa)
Woodroffe Avenue is the major north-south arterial road in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada's west end. It runs south from the Ottawa River Parkway through Baseline Road to Prince of Wales Drive towards the communities of Manotick and Barrhaven. The road runs through the heart of Nepean in Ottawa's west end...
. The Southern border can be stretched up to Carling Avenue
Carling Avenue
Carling Avenue is a major east-west arterial road in the west end of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It runs from March Road in Kanata to Bronson Avenue in the Glebe...
. Westboro's northern border is defined by the Ottawa River.
The neighbourhood got its start in the late nineteenth century, when flyers were published proclaiming 'Move to Westboro,' and offering prospective residents 'views of the Laurentian Mountains.' This slightly creative name for the distant geological formation along the Eardley escarpment is now better known as the Gatineau Hills
Gatineau Hills
The Gatineau Hills are a geological formation in Canada that makes up part of the southern tip of the Canadian Shield, and acts as the northern shoulder of the Ottawa Valley...
. The Gatineau Hills can be seen across the Ottawa River.
Nineteenth-century descriptions of the neighbourhood refer to its location along the Macadam
Macadam
Macadam is a type of road construction pioneered by the Scotsman John Loudon McAdam in around 1820. The method simplified what had been considered state-of-the-art at that point...
Road to Bells Corners
Bells Corners, Ontario
Bells Corners is a suburban community in the city of Ottawa, Canada. As of the Canada 2006 Census, it had a population of 9,799.-History:...
. That road is now known as Richmond Road
Richmond Road (Ottawa)
Richmond Road is a major road in Eastern Ontario, Canada.Richmond Road begins as a western continuation of Wellington Street West in Ottawa, beyond the intersection at Island Park Drive, a division point moved west a few blocks from Western Avenue, the historical township boundary, in 2005. It...
, and where it slices through Westboro it is the commercial heart of the Village-like neighbourhood, once the centre of the old Nepean Township
Nepean Township, Ontario
Nepean Township is a historical township in Eastern Ontario, Canada.Originally known as Township D, it was established in 1792. In 1800, it became part of Carleton County and was incorporated as a township in 1850. The first settler in the township was Jehiel Collins, from Vermont, who settled in...
. The old Town Hall on Richmond Road used to house the bell that later became the symbol of the former city of Nepean
Nepean, Ontario
- Recent quantity of snow :- History :Nepean Township, originally known as Township D, was established in 1792 and originally included what is now the central area of Ottawa west of the Rideau River. Jehiel Collins, from Vermont, is believed to have been the first person to settle in Nepean...
, now a part of the city of Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
. The Maplelawn Garden, boasting the second oldest building in Ottawa (built in 1831) and designated a National Historic Site, is located at the western edge of the village.
The other prominent street in Westboro Village is Churchill Avenue. This street was known as Main Street, but was renamed in honour of Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. A few blocks to the west, another street was originally named River Road since it bisected the neighbourhood and led down to the beach on the Ottawa River. That street was renamed Roosevelt Avenue for similar post-war reasons. The renaming was also due to Westboro's integration into Ottawa and that there were already streets named River Road and Main Street.
Westboro existed as a police village
Police village
A police village was a form of municipal government used in the province of Ontario, Canada, beginning in the early 19th century. It was used in cases where the finances or population of the area did not permit the creation of a village....
from 1903 to 1949 when it was annexed by Ottawa. An Ottawa streetcar line
Ottawa Electric Railway
Ottawa Electric Railway Company was a streetcar public transit system in the city of Ottawa, Canada, part of the electric railway streetcars which operated between 1891 and 1959...
used to run along what is now a narrow grass strip along Byron Avenue, bringing Ottawa residents to an area once considered cottage country. Many cottage-like residences still exist today, especially by the Ottawa River north of Scott Street.
Westboro is a thriving community with a lively street scene. Several condominium projects are encouraging densification and promising to bring more people to the neighbourhood. The village features murals painted by a local artist. Westfest, a free music festival, is held every year during the second weekend in June, and features a variety of local and national performers. The neighbourhood also boasts a concentration of outdoors and sport stores including Mountain Equipment Co-op
Mountain Equipment Co-op
Mountain Equipment Co-op is a Canadian consumers' cooperative, which sells outdoor recreation gear and clothing to its members exclusively. MEC is notable for its commitment to environmental protection and other causes. As a co-op, MEC sells only to customers who hold a lifetime membership, which...
, Vancouver-based trendy lululemon athletica
Lululemon Athletica
Lululemon Athletica Inc. , styled as lululemon athletica, is a self-described yoga-inspired athletic apparel company, produces a clothing line and runs international clothing stores from its company base in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada....
, Bushtukah, The Expedition Shoppe and Trailhead and is close to cycling trails and whitewater rapids in the Ottawa River
Ottawa River
The Ottawa River is a river in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. For most of its length, it now defines the border between these two provinces.-Geography:...
. Boutiques, restaurants and coffee shops on Richmond Road have helped turn Westboro into a trendy neighbourhood. The Newport Restaurant
Newport Restaurant
Moe's Newport Restaurant is located in the Westboro area of Ottawa, Canada, on the corner of Richmond and Churchill. Moe's is known for its pizza and Lebanese cuisine....
is amongst the best known local businesses.
The neighbourhood is served by two OC Transpo
OC Transpo
OC Transpo is the urban transit service of the City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. An integrated hub-and-spoke system of services is available consisting of: regular buses travelling on fixed routes in mixed traffic, typical of most urban transit systems; a bus rapid transit system — a high...
stations: Westboro
Westboro Station (OC Transpo)
Westboro Station is a stop on the transitway in Ottawa, Ontario. It is located in the Westboro neighbourhood, on Scott Street between Athlone and Tweedsmuir avenues.The transitway in the area is in a below-grade 'trench' parallelling Scott Street...
and Dominion
Dominion Station (OC Transpo)
Dominion Station is a stop on the transitway in Ottawa, Ontario. It is located north of the western edge of Westboro village, where the below-grade transitway segment joins the Ottawa River Parkway...
.
Westboro encompasses a large part of the western part of Ottawa, and many smaller sub-neighbourhoods. Including the core Westboro village located north of Richmond Road, there exists the following sub-neighbourhoods:
- Carlingwood
- Hampton Park
- Highland Park
- Laurentian View
- McKellar ParkMcKellar ParkMcKellar Park is a park and sub-neighbourhood of Westboro, in the City of Ottawa, in the province of Ontario that lies to the North of the Queensway. It is considered a trendy and expensive area, being close to the Westboro Village....
- Woodroffe NorthWoodroffe NorthWoodroffe North is a neighbourhood in Ottawa, Ontario. It is bounded on the south by the former CPR right-of-way, on the north by the Ottawa River Parkway and on the east and west by National Capital Commission property which is part of or adjacent to the Ottawa River Parkway...