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Just across the river from downtown Ottawa sits Hull, the original heart of today’s city of Gatineau. Once a city in its own right, Hull had its beginnings as a settler community well before Ottawa was founded. During its rapid growth as a lumber town, and throughout its infamous years supplying liquor and other late-night vices to revellers from across the Ottawa River, Hull had a rocky, co-dependent relationship with Canada’s modern-day capital. On this walking tour, I’ll lift the lid on the quiet Hull of today and take you on a journey through its intriguing back story. Though Hull may not win many beauty contests, its streets, parks, and buildings reflect the triumphs and tragedies of its past. This circular tour starts and ends outside the Canadian Museum of History. Along the way, you’ll meet people like the Algonquin Chief Tessouat who ruled the Ottawa River in the 1600s; Philemon Wright who was the first settler to establish a community here; and the entrepreneur Ezra Butler Eddy who built his fortune making fire matches. As you walk along the Ottawa River’s shores, you’ll learn about its significance to indigenous peoples, explorers, and lumber barons alike. On Hull’s old Main Street, you’ll discover why this was once Canada’s crime capital, with a reputation for illegal and late-night drinking, gambling, and prostitution. You’ll also hear about its impressive growth in the 1800s and the many disasters that have befallen the town. Along the way, you will have a chance to: • Learn why Hull’s location was valued for thousands of years before settlers arrived • Enjoy spectacular views of Ottawa, the Ottawa River, and Chaudiere Falls • Discover what’s left of Wright’s Town (the original Hull), founded by Philemon Wright • Walk the route of an old timber slide • Marvel at the scale of the lumber barons’ timber operations • Get to know about the catastrophic Great Fire of 1900 • Find out why Hull was once known as ’le petit Chicago’ • Stroll along Hull’s infamous ‘Strip’, which was party central for young people from Ottawa • Get a sense of what was destroyed when Hull’s massive office towers were constructed By the end of this 75-minute Ottawa walking tour, you’ll see Hull with new eyes, and have a greater appreciation for its role in the development of Canada’s capital region.
Price: £7.99 from VoiceMap
| Retailer | Price | |
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| VoiceMap | £7.99 | Go to shop |
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