19th Century History

	Period view of the site currently occupied by Mackenzie Building north to the University Commons, 1892.
	NAC: PA-130017

Of Carleton's three major borders (Rideau River, Rideau Canal and Bronson Avenue) one is of geological origin, the other two are of cultural origin dating from 165-200 years ago.

More than thirty years passed with only a small population moving into the region, none settling on lands now occupied by Carleton University. It was not until 1826, when the British Royal Engineers were ordered to build a canal between the Ottawa River and Lake Ontario, that notable cultural changes were made to the landscape.

The population of Nepean Township increased five-fold between 1827 and 1828. Construction on the Rideau Canal caused considerable physical change to the neighbouring environment.

		Watercolour representation of the site as viewed looking south from Bronson Avenue at the Rideau Canal.
		Archives of Ontario

Tree cutting, excavating, dam building, and the unsanctioned occupying of habitable lands along the Rideau Canal right-of-way were commonplace.

The northeast half of the current campus site, a low-lying swamp, changed little during the 19th century. Following canal construction the more habitable southwest half of the site, located on the higher ground, was cleared, fenced and occupied by leaseholders, squatter families, and one land-owning farm family who lived near the site of the present main quadrangle.