Manotick Then and Now: Preview of the 2nd Edition
From the February, 2009 edition of the RTHS newsletter.
The founding of Manotick village in 1859 has been attributed to the building of the Rideau canal some thirty years earlier, and the construction in 1850 of the bulkhead dam to improve navigation on the main channel.
The private corporation of Dickinson, Currier and Company obtained rights to the water-power at the dam and purchased several acres of land on either side. In 1858 they erected a small stone sawmill east of the bulkhead and in the following year undertook construction of the now historic stone flour and grist mill which was opened officially in February 1860.
Partners Moss Kent Dickinson and Joseph Merrill Currier were prominent Bytown businessmen who had a thriving sawn-lumber operation. Their new “Long Island Milling Enterprises” soon attracted workers from the surrounding communities, many of whom moved with their families to Manotick. Access to the grist mill for island farmers first was by a scow constructed of cedar logs, and later by a temporary wooden bridge near the bulkhead.
Village plans were drawn up and registered in 1862. The name Manotick was chosen from the Indian word for “island in a river”.
Original street names commemorated the founders’ families and former owners of the village properties. Elizabeth (now Dickinson) and Anne Streets were the Christian names of Mrs. Dickinson and Mrs. Currier. Richard Street on the island and Tighe, Catherine and John Streets on the mainland presumably honoured Richard Tighe, his wife Catherine, and a brother, John Tighe. The other island street, Arthur, was the name of an early settler Arthur McKeown who was granted Crown land in the vicinity in 1850 and later operated a ferry across the Canal.
The ferry service was taken over by Mr. Dickinson who also built a large wharf on the west side of the canal as a stop for vessels of The Dickinson Forwarding Line.
By 1864 when Manotick Post Office was established the village population had passed the 100 mark and the community was served by 2 hotels, 2 blacksmiths, 3 wagon-makers, a cooper, and 2 general stores – one in the original building on the Dickinson House site, which housed the first Post Office.
…from the Manotick Messenger, May 31, 1989
Note that Dora’s book is being republished by the RTHS as a contribution to Manotick’s 150th Anniversary celebrations.
Reading about the history of Manotick was very interesting. My husband and I purchased 1097 Arthur Cres in Manotick this past spring and are trying to find any information on the house. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. It was also very interesting to read how the street was named.
Apologies for the late response. There is a one-page entry for this address in the Manotick edition of the Local Architectural Conservation records, held at the Rideau Branch of the City of Ottawa Archives in North Gower. However, I also have a digital copy of that file, and since I have your email address I will send the page to you directly.