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Photograph of an avenue of Manitoba Maple trees, Experimental Farm, Indian Head, Northwest Territories, August 26, 1902

Avenue of Manitoba Maple trees, Experimental Farm, Indian Head, Northwest Territories
August 26, 1902
PA-026200

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William James Topley:
Reflections on a Capital Photographer

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Yesterday and Today

Interestingly, many of the streets and buildings in Topley's photographs of Ottawa are still recognizable today. Topley took these photographs in the vicinity of Sparks Street, close to his studios (the buildings that housed his studios no longer exist). We have taken photographs of some of the same locations to replicate the scenes that Topley shot in the late 19th and early 20th century.

We invite you to send your photographs of current street scenes from other parts of Canada that were also recorded by Topley. Your "yesterday" and "today" images will be added to this section.

Photograph on the left was taken by William James Topley below Sapper's Bridge, from Sparks Street to Rideau Street, Ottawa, circa 1875-1880. The photograph on the right was taken below Rideau Street Bridge looking north, Ottawa, March 2008

Left: Below Sapper's Bridge, from Sparks Street to Rideau Street, ca. 1875-1880 (PA-008385)
Right: Below Rideau Street Bridge looking north, March 2008
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Photograph on the left shows the Merchant's Bank of Canada and Molson Bank, Metcalfe Street between Sparks and Wellington Streets, Ottawa, July 1893. The photograph on the right shows the west side of Metcalfe Street between Wellington and Sparks Streets, Ottawa, August 2007

Left: The Merchant's Bank of Canada and Molson Bank, Metcalfe Street between Sparks and Wellington Streets, July 1893 (PA-027307)
Right: West side of Metcalfe Street between Wellington and Sparks Streets, August 2007
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Both photographs were taken from Nepean Point and look towards the Chateau Laurier on Rideau Street and the locks of the Rideau Canal, Ottawa. The photograph on the left shows the old Grand Trunk Railway tracks and a train. Left: after April 12, 1912. Right: March 2008

Left: Looking towards The Chateau Laurier on Rideau Street from Nepean Point showing the Rideau Canal locks, April 12, 1912 (PA-012930)
Right: The old Grand Trunk Railway tracks, March 2008
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Aerial photograph on the left taken from the vicinity of Bank and Laurier Streets, Ottawa, circa 1920. The photograph on the right shows the view from the roof of a high-rise located on Albert Street just south of Bank Street, looking north, Ottawa, August 2007

Left: Aerial view taken from the vicinity of Bank and Laurier Streets. The building with the awnings is located on the north-east corner of Bank and Queen Streets, ca. 1920 (PA-01261)
Right: View from the roof of a high-rise located on Albert Street just south of Bank Street, looking north, August 2007
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Date Created: 2008-09-09
Date Modified: 2008-10-09

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