Long before Ottawa became Canada’s capital, Lieutenant Colonel John By laid out the streets of a humble settlement and established a farmers’ market that would become the beating heart of the city for nearly two centuries.
ByWard Market is one of the oldest and largest public markets in Canada, founded in 1826 when the area was still known as Bytown. What began as a simple gathering place where farmers sold produce to canal workers has evolved into a vibrant four-block district filled with restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and of course, the same outdoor market stalls that have operated continuously for almost 200 years. Today, millions of visitors walk the same cobblestones where generations of Ottawa residents have shopped, socialized, and celebrated.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: ByWard Market was established in 1826 by Lieutenant Colonel John By alongside the Rideau Canal construction. It’s one of Canada’s oldest farmers’ markets, operating continuously for nearly 200 years. The market survived fires, economic downturns, and urban renewal plans to remain Ottawa’s premier destination for fresh produce, artisan goods, and vibrant nightlife. The Market Building opened in 1927 and remains the district’s centrepiece.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Founded | 1826 |
| 📍 Location | Lower Town, Ottawa |
| 🎟️ Size | Approximately 4 blocks |
| ⏰ Status | Canada’s oldest continuously operating farmers’ market |
The Founding Years
The story of ByWard Market begins with the same man responsible for the Rideau Canal: Lieutenant Colonel John By. In 1826, as thousands of workers arrived to begin constructing the canal, By recognized that the growing settlement would need a reliable food supply and a central gathering place.
By designated a section of Lower Town for a public market, laying out the streets in a grid pattern that remains largely unchanged today. The original market was a simple affair—farmers from surrounding areas brought their produce by cart, setting up temporary stalls to sell vegetables, meat, dairy, and other goods to canal workers and their families.
The market quickly became the commercial and social centre of Bytown. It wasn’t just a place to buy food; it was where residents gathered to exchange news, conduct business, and socialize. As the settlement grew, so did the market, expanding from a few informal stalls to a proper commercial district.
Growth and Prosperity
When Ottawa was selected as Canada’s capital in 1857, ByWard Market entered a new era of growth. The influx of government workers, diplomats, and their families created demand for more sophisticated goods and services. New businesses opened around the market, including hotels, taverns, and specialty shops.
The market’s character during this period was distinctly working-class. Butchers, fishmongers, and produce vendors dominated the stalls, while taverns and boarding houses catered to labourers and travellers. The streets were noisy, crowded, and often muddy—a far cry from the sanitized commercial districts of newer cities.
Fire was a constant threat. The original wooden Market Building burned down multiple times, as did many surrounding structures. Each time, merchants rebuilt, often with more permanent materials. The cycles of destruction and renewal shaped the eclectic architectural character that defines the district today.
By the late 1800s, ByWard Market had established itself as Ottawa’s premier food destination. Farmers from across the Ottawa Valley brought their best produce to sell, and the market’s reputation for quality attracted customers from all social classes—from working families to members of Parliament.
The 1927 Market Building
The ByWard Market Building that stands today was constructed in 1927, replacing an earlier structure that had served the community for decades. The new building was designed in the Classical Revival style, featuring a distinctive red-brick facade with arched entrances and a central clock tower.
The building was designed to be both functional and beautiful. The ground floor housed the main market hall, where vendors could sell their goods year-round, protected from Ottawa’s harsh weather. Upper floors provided space for storage and offices, while the basement contained cold storage facilities essential for preserving meat and produce.
The 1927 Market Building represented a significant investment in the future of the market district. City officials recognized that ByWard Market was not just a commercial asset but a cultural institution that defined Ottawa’s identity. The building was designed to last for generations—and it has.
Decades of Change
The mid-20th century brought significant challenges to ByWard Market. As automobiles became widespread and suburban shopping centres emerged, many urban markets across North America fell into decline. Some were demolished entirely, replaced by parking lots or modern developments.
ByWard Market faced similar pressures. In the 1960s and 1970s, city planners proposed various redevelopment schemes that would have fundamentally altered the historic district. Some plans called for demolishing the older buildings and replacing them with modern structures; others suggested converting the area into a pedestrian mall.
Local residents and merchants fought back. They argued that ByWard Market’s historic character was precisely what made it valuable—both culturally and economically. The buildings, the street layout, the mix of vendors—these weren’t obstacles to modernization but assets to be preserved.
Their advocacy succeeded. Instead of wholesale demolition, the city pursued a strategy of restoration and revitalization. Heritage buildings were renovated rather than replaced. New businesses were encouraged to establish themselves in the district, adding restaurants, galleries, and nightlife venues to the traditional market vendors.
The Modern Market
Today’s ByWard Market is a vibrant blend of old and new. The outdoor farmers’ market continues to operate from spring through fall, just as it has for nearly 200 years. Local farmers sell the same types of produce their ancestors did—corn, tomatoes, maple syrup, honey—alongside newer offerings like artisan cheeses and organic vegetables.
The district has also become Ottawa’s premier nightlife destination. Dozens of restaurants, bars, and clubs draw crowds every evening, particularly on weekends. The eclectic mix includes fine dining establishments, casual pubs, dance clubs, and late-night eateries catering to every taste and budget.
Retail has evolved as well. While traditional vendors remain, they now share space with boutiques, art galleries, and specialty shops. The market district has become a destination for unique shopping experiences that can’t be replicated in suburban malls.
Despite all this evolution, ByWard Market retains its essential character. It remains a place where people gather to shop, eat, drink, and socialize—exactly as John By intended when he laid out those first streets in 1826.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is ByWard Market?
ByWard Market was established in 1826, making it nearly 200 years old. It’s one of Canada’s oldest continuously operating public markets.
Who founded ByWard Market?
Lieutenant Colonel John By, the same British military engineer who oversaw construction of the Rideau Canal, established the market as part of his plans for the settlement of Bytown.
When is the outdoor farmers’ market open?
The outdoor market operates from May through October, with peak activity on weekends. Some vendors also operate year-round inside the Market Building.
What happened to ByWard Market in the 1960s and 1970s?
The district faced demolition threats as city planners proposed various redevelopment schemes. Local advocates successfully fought to preserve the historic character, leading to restoration rather than demolition.
Why is it called “ByWard” Market?
The name comes from Lieutenant Colonel John By. The area around the market was originally known as “By’s Ward,” referring to the municipal ward named after the town’s founder. Over time, this became “ByWard.”
Final Thoughts
ByWard Market represents something increasingly rare in modern cities: a genuinely historic place that remains genuinely alive. It hasn’t been preserved as a museum or redeveloped beyond recognition. Instead, it has evolved organically over nearly 200 years while maintaining its essential purpose as a gathering place for the community.
Walk through the market on a summer Saturday and you’ll see farmers selling produce just steps from trendy restaurants, families shopping for groceries alongside tourists snapping photos, century-old buildings housing 21st-century businesses. This is what makes ByWard Market special—not just its history, but its ability to remain relevant and vital generation after generation.
When you visit, you’re not just shopping or dining. You’re participating in a tradition that stretches back to the earliest days of Ottawa, when John By dreamed of building something that would last.
Source: City of Ottawa Archives; ByWard Market Business Improvement Area
