Welcome to RTHS
The Rideau Township Historical Society (RTHS) was formed in 1974, the same year the historic townships of North Gower and Marlborough were joined to form Rideau Township. The RTHS mission is to "preserve the past to enrich the future" by increasing awareness of and access to the history of the former Rideau Township, which was amalgamated into the City of Ottawa in 2001.
The symbols in the RTHS crest (see above) reflect the pursuits of the early settlers in the area. As illustrated in the images at right, river transport and commerce, forestry, agriculture and livestock were the essential ingredients that enabled the founding townships of North Gower and Marlborough to realize Peace, Plenty and Progress.
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RTHS News, Events & Interests
Our April Event (Coming Soon)
Most events are offered both In-person and via ZOOM. Registration is ONLY necessary for ZOOM participation so we can send you the ZOOM connection information when it's available.
Featured Article
What’s in a Name? Origin of the Names of Carleton County, and Marlborough and North Gower Townships
Source: "Nothing But Names: An inquiry into the origin of the names of the counties and townships of Ontario." HERBERT FAIRBAIRN GARDINER, M.A.. George N. Morang and Company Ltd., Toronto. 1899
Note: An abbreviated version of the histories below appeared in the Ottawa Journal, August 12, 1899
CARLETON COUNTY
THIS county got its name from Sir Guy Carleton, afterwards Lord Dorchester, born 1724, died 1808, who accompanied Wolfe s expedition to Canada and took part in the battle of the Plains of Abraham.
In 1770 Carleton went to England, but returned to Canada in 1774, and defended Quebec from the attack of Montgomery and Arnold. In 1782 Carleton succeeded Sir Henry Clinton as Commander-in-chief of His Majesty s forces in America. In 1783 he evacuated New York and withdrew the British ships from America. In 1786 he was made a peer, with a pension of ₤1,000, and sent to Canada as Governor-General, which post he held till 1796.
Carleton was a strict disciplinarian, but kind of heart, and very popular with the French Canadians. He married, in 1772, Lady Mary Howard, daughter of Thomas, Earl of Effingham, and died in 1808, aged eighty-three. Carleton county is named on the map of 1798, but was not then organized, or divided into townships, though portions of the present county of Carleton were included in Russell and Grenville counties.
RTHS Virtual Exhibit
The RTHS Facebook page continues to add new posts daily (Monday to Friday). A sampling of recent posts include:
- The Presence of the Past in Rideau Township:
- 4416 Donnelly Drive, Burritt's Rapids - Carlow Lodge
- 3619 Klondike Road - McCurdy Farm.
- 5707 First Line Rd. (North Gower Con. A, Pt. Lot 4, Lot 5)
- Farm Labour Shortage, World War II
- Church Building, Travelling Shows, Horsetrading, Bears, and Prosperity in North Gower in the 1890s
- North Gower Continuation School - Entrance Class - 1933
- Prohibition Moonshine Produced Near Manotick.
- The Canada The Bung, Plug & Spile Factory, Manotick.
- A Brief History of the Tweedsmuir Histories
- North Gower Winter Carnival - 1981; Shinny on Steven's Creek - 1992
- Community Support in Time of Need -- A Valentine Story
- A Story of Carleton Politics in the 1860s
- Sun Valley Speedway in Carsonby
- S.S.#3 Marlborough (Pierce's Corners) - 1946.
- Origin of the Carleton County name, as well as Marlborough and North Gower Township Names.
Preserving the Past to Enrich the Future