The Rideau Canal

The Aberdeen Pavilion

 

The Aberdeen Pavilion, also known as the Cattle Castle, is perhaps one of the most important historic structures found at Lansdowne Park. This built-heritage is rich in history and cultural significance to many in the community, and was built in 1898. The Pavilion was built by the same company that built the 1938 Bronson Street Bridge, Dominion Bridge Company.

 

The purpose for the Pavilion’s construction was for the Central Canada Exhibition Association, and was named Aberdeen after the Earl of Aberdeen, the incumbent Governor General. Because of its national significance, it was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1983 and received a heritage easement by the Ontario Heritage Trust in 1996.

 

Throughout the years, the site has been used for various community purposes including: being a home for troops leaving to fight in the Boer Wars, and becoming a training area for troops during the Great War. It later became a training ground for various sports and entertainment events, including being the home of the Ottawa Senators (Ottawa Hockey Club), as well as a place that hosted livestock displays. In much more recent years it has been the home for the Ottawa Farmers Market, and the Christmas Market.

 

 

References

Heritage Ottawa. (2014). Aberdeen Pavilion Voted “Most Eye-Pleasing Building” in Ottawa. Heritage Ottawa. Retrieved from: http://heritageottawa.org/news/aberdeen-pavilion-voted-most-eye-pleasing-building-ottawa

Hofley, Chris. (2014, August 2). Aberdeen Pavilion set to make more history in new revamped Lansdowne. Ottawa Sun. Retrieved from: http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/08/02/aberdeen-pavilion-set-to-make-more-history-in-new-revamped-lansdowne

McKibbon, Sean. (2014, December 1). Ottawa Farmers Market returns to the Aberdeen Pavilion. Metro News. Retrieved from: http://metronews.ca/news/ottawa/1227351/ottawa-farmers-market-returns-to-the-aberdeen-pavillion/

Ontario Heritage Trust. (2015). Aberdeen Pavilion (Ottawa), 1898. Ontario Heritage Trust. Retrieved from: http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/Conservation/Conservation-easements/Visit-our-easement-properties/Aberdeen-Pavilion-(Ottawa),-1898.aspx

Parks Canada. (n.d.). Aberdeen Pavilion National Historic Site of Canada. Canada’s Historic Places. Retrieved from: http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=4114

Wikipedia. (2014). Aberdeen Pavilion. Wikipedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberdeen_Pavilion