Did you know history of the Rideau Canal?
The Rideau Canal, opened for navigation in 1832, is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America. In 1826, Lt. Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers was assigned to create a navigable waterway from Kingston to Ottawa through a wilderness of rough bush, swamps, and rocky terrain.
Why was the Rideau Canal built in Ottawa?
The canal was built to protect Canada from an American invasion. That threat became reality during the War of 1812, which proved how vulnerable the St. Lawrence lifeline was to attack from the south. At the end of the war in 1815 the Royal Engineers arrived to explore a route through the Rideau Lakes.
Was the Rideau Canal man made?
The Rideau isn’t just a canal cut (only 10% is man-made), it’s a waterway combining canals, rivers and lakes. This makes the Rideau a wonderful blend of urban, rural and natural landscapes.
What is special about the Rideau Canal in Ottawa?
Running from Kingston to Ottawa, the Rideau Canal connects several bodies of water — the Ottawa River, Rideau River, and Lake Ontario — and makes up the oldest operating canal system in North America.
What was the history of the Rideau Canal?
A SKETCH OF RIDEAU CANAL HISTORY. The Rideau Canal, opened for navigation in 1832, is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America. In 1826, Lt. Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers was assigned to create a navigable waterway from Kingston to Ottawa through a wilderness of rough bush, swamps, and rocky terrain.
Where did the name Rideau River come from?
The word rideau is French for curtain. This was the appearance of the twin falls of the Rideau River, where it meets the Ottawa River, to Samuel de Champlain who travelled up the Ottawa River in 1613.
Why are the Rideau Locks important to Ottawa?
More than just an item of passing historic interest, these locks are the reason for the founding of Ottawa and represent an amazing engineering achievement in the middle of the Canadian wilderness of the early 19th century. Although motorists don’t get a good view of the locks, the Plaza Bridge does provide pedestrians…
Who was the designer of the Rideau Canal stamp?
The stamps were designed by Carey George and Dean Martin, based on paintings by Vincent McIndoe. In 2014, the canal appeared on a $2.50 international rate stamp as part of a Canada Post set honoring World Heritage Sites. The same design was reprised on a 2016 domestic-rate stamp.
