Gloucester Historical Society

Recommendations and reviews from 1 person

• Referral from November 6, 2014
  

  Lost O. asked:

  Muskoka Finds sends a query to the Lost Ottawa community. They would like to know more about this hotel in "Hiawatha Park, Ottawa." Kai Pau says Hiawatha Park is an area along the river in Orleans. The area east of Ottawa had many spas and hotels back in the day.

  

  Anneke D. replied:

  Ah. The magical properties of Google. HIAWATHA PARK Lot 6 in the first concession of the Ottawa Front in Gloucester Township was once owned by two Besserer families. As of the 1850 s, they operated a summer resort called Besserer’s Grove. There was a wharf for river boats and barges plying their way between Montreal and the upper Ottawa. Steamers which offered excursion cruises on the Ottawa river would make a stop at this wharf, known as Besserer’s Landing. There was also a hotel not far from the wharf, making this a popular spot for many years. Eventually, a syndicate of real estate men bought the site, and the name was changed to Hiawatha Park [Deveney 1988, Walker 1968]. A seniors home is now located in this area [Wackley 2000]. http://www.gloucesterhistory.com/placenames.html

  -1
  View full conversation on Facebook