This ongoing series brings you inside the wonderful communities that make up downtown Ottawa – the neighbourhoods we know and love!
Many people may not realize that Hintonburg was originally part of Nepean Township and the area along Wellington Street and Richmond Road was lined mostly with farms. In the 1880’s a small community was developing in this area and 
by 1893 it had grown large enough to become incorporated as Hintonburg. It was named after Joseph Hinton who was an local shopkeeper and civic official. It’s very interesting to note that the original boundary of Hintonburg stretched almost to Island Park Drive in the west. Over the years the boundary has changed and the area is now divided into two distinct neighbourhoods: Wellington Village (west of Holland), and of course, Historic Hintonburg. The West Wellington Business Improvement Association divides it further to include the Parkdale Market area encompassing the few blocks between Holland and Parkdale.
Located west of Preston Street (the O-Train tracks to be precise) is the diverse, creative and historic community of Hintonburg. This area is bordered by Scott Street to the north, the Queensway to the south and Holland Avenue to the west. The Ottawa Citizen recently described Hintonburg as Ottawa’s “newest ‘it’ community” and that “residents like the funky, affordable, multicultural and multi-generational aspects of their neighbourhood.”
Restaurants, local art galleries and shops line Wellington Street, the areas commercial strip. At the corner of Holland and Wellington you will find the new home for the Great Canadian Theatre Company, assisting this neighbourhood in emerging as an arts hot-spot for the city. Enjoy a stroll to the Parkdale Market to pick up your fresh produce and stop in at one of local coffee shops for a latte.
Hintonburg boasts quick access to bike paths along the Ottawa River, which can be used for your commute to work and weekend recreation. The community is home to great little parks, fantastic schools and a spirit that is insurmountable!
Posted by Jennifer Stewart in Blog, Neighbourhoods.
