Major's Hill Park is apark in downtownOttawa, Ontario. The park stands above theRideau Canal at the point where it enters theOttawa River. Theparliament buildings can be seen across the canal to the west, to the north of the park is theNational Gallery of Canada, and to the east are theUnited States embassy and theByward Market. To the south is theChateau Laurier hotel, built on land that was once part of the park.

The neighbourhood surrounding the park was once home to those who constructed the canal. In particular, the area that is now the park was the official residence of the Superintending Engineer of the Rideau Canal,Lieutenant-Colonel John By until he returned to England in 1832. The hill was known at the time as "Colonel's Hill". By was replaced in 1832 byCaptainDaniel Bolton who took up residence in By's house. In 1838 Bolton was promoted to Major. By the time he left theBytown in 1843, the hill had become known as Major's Hill. Commemorative plaques and a statue of Lieutenant-Colonel By, Major Bolton and their successors were erected in Major's Hill Park.^[1]

The residence was destroyed by fire on October 5, 1848,^[2] though ruins survive to today. The use of the area as a residence means that the park has remained a green space since the early days of Ottawa. It is now managed by theNational Capital Commission, which has placed historical information in the northwest corner of the park.

Due to its central location, Major's Hill Park is frequented all year round. It is frequently used as a venue for events, and is central to Ottawa's civicCanada Day celebrations. A more recent addition to the calendar is the annual 'B In The Park', which precedes theGlengarry Highland Games. Pipe bands and highland dancers from all over the world perform. It is presented by the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band of Ottawa, which claims to be Canada's oldest continuous civilian pipe band.^[3]

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  An 1834 view of the canal locks. Colonel's Hill, with numerous trees, and Colonel By's residence are at the left of the image.
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  Major's Hill and the locks in 1861; the lockmaster's house (partially visible on the right side of the image) was demolished when Major's Hill became a park in 1876.
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  View of the south end of Major's Hill from Parliament Hill, circa 1860s; by this time, trees were cleared from all but the northern portion of Major's Hill.
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  The south end of Major's Hill in 1909, when the park extended toRideau Street and theChâteau Laurier had not yet been built.
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  Aerial view from 1920; the federal government had permitted the construction of the Château Laurier on the south end of Major's Hill in 1909-12.
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  By 1938, Major's Hill had been developed as a well-manicured urban park.
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  Since 1988, the north end of Major's Hill has been framed by the newNational Gallery of Canada building.

Wikimedia Commons has media related toMajor's Hill Park.

• Bytown Museum page with Hill historical information

45°25′38″N75°41′51″W / 45.427311°N 75.697496°W /45.427311; -75.697496

• Parks in Ottawa
• National Capital Commission

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• Commons category link from Wikidata
• Coordinates on Wikidata