Russell Hotel (Ottawa)
Encyclopedia
The Russell House hotel was the most high profile hotel
in Ottawa
, Canada
for many decades.
and Elgin
. A small hotel was first built there in the 1840s and the small structure was originally named Campbell's Hotel after its proprietor. In 1863 it came under the ownership of James Gouin who named it the Russell House after a family in the United States he managed a hotel for. Ottawa's status as the capital of the new country created a pressing demand for hotel space, and around 1875 and 1880 the hotel was expanded and then completely rebuilt.
For many decades the Russell House served as Ottawa's foremost hotel. Most Canadian politicians from this era spent time at the Russell House, and Wilfrid Laurier
lived there for ten years before moving to Laurier House
. International guests included Oscar Wilde
and Anna Pavlova. It was at a dinner at the Russell House where Lord Stanley offered a trophy to the top Canadian hockey team, the genesis of the Stanley Cup
.
In 1912, the Château Laurier
succeeded the Russell as Ottawa's premier hotel. The Russell House closed in 1925. After being abandoned for three years, a fire broke out in 1928, and the hotel was almost destroyed. The remains of the structure were demolished. The federal government expropriated the site, and used the land to expand Elgin Street to create Confederation Square
.
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
in 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...
, 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...
for many decades.
History
The hotel was located at the southeast corner of Sparks StreetSparks Street
Sparks Street is a street in downtown Ottawa, Canada that was converted into an outdoor pedestrian street in 1966, making it the earliest such street or mall in North America....
and Elgin
Elgin Street (Ottawa)
Elgin Street is a street in the Golden Triangle of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Originally named Biddy's Lane, it was later named after Lord Elgin....
. A small hotel was first built there in the 1840s and the small structure was originally named Campbell's Hotel after its proprietor. In 1863 it came under the ownership of James Gouin who named it the Russell House after a family in the United States he managed a hotel for. Ottawa's status as the capital of the new country created a pressing demand for hotel space, and around 1875 and 1880 the hotel was expanded and then completely rebuilt.
For many decades the Russell House served as Ottawa's foremost hotel. Most Canadian politicians from this era spent time at the Russell House, and Wilfrid Laurier
Wilfrid Laurier
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, GCMG, PC, KC, baptized Henri-Charles-Wilfrid Laurier was the seventh Prime Minister of Canada from 11 July 1896 to 6 October 1911....
lived there for ten years before moving to Laurier House
Laurier House
Laurier House is a National Historic Site of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, located at 335 Laurier Avenue East . It was formerly the residence of two Canadian Prime Ministers, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King. The house was built in 1878, but had significant later alterations...
. International guests included Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish writer and poet. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of London's most popular playwrights in the early 1890s...
and Anna Pavlova. It was at a dinner at the Russell House where Lord Stanley offered a trophy to the top Canadian hockey team, the genesis of the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
.
In 1912, the Château Laurier
Château Laurier
The Fairmont Château Laurier is a landmark hotel in Downtown Ottawa, Ontario located near the intersection of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive designed in the Châteauesque style.-History:...
succeeded the Russell as Ottawa's premier hotel. The Russell House closed in 1925. After being abandoned for three years, a fire broke out in 1928, and the hotel was almost destroyed. The remains of the structure were demolished. The federal government expropriated the site, and used the land to expand Elgin Street to create Confederation Square
Confederation Square
Confederation Square is an urban square in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and is considered the second most important ceremonial centre in Canada's capital city, after Parliament Hill...
.
See also
- Confederation SquareConfederation SquareConfederation Square is an urban square in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and is considered the second most important ceremonial centre in Canada's capital city, after Parliament Hill...
, square containing War Memorial has history of area with Russell Hotel highlights.