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Ashley Newall

Columnist / Capital History Ottawa

Ashley Newall’s “Capital History Ottawa” (#colourized) has been chronicling past scenes in the city through his newly colourized photos and accompanying factoids. The project’s home is on Twitter, but once a month, a more in-depth piece delving into the stories behind the pics will be published here on Apartment613.


Capital History: Henry Brading’s Union Brewery, Est. 1865

Much has been written about what became of H.F. Brading’s Victorian-era brewery come the 20th century, particularly regarding infamous Ottawa-born magnate E.P. Taylor, who parlayed it into a gigantic beer empire. Then there’s the small matter of the SECRET BEER TUNNEL under Lebreton Flats, built around 1945. I won’t be talking about any of that: This is the largely untold story of the man who started it all, Henry Fisher Brading (1836-1903), and his original Union Brewery.

Capital History: Nicholas Sparks’s House

If you’re interested in Nicholas Sparks’ house, Apartment613 has you covered: this is the second piece on the topic to appear on the blog, the main differences this time around being colourized photos and a quirkier approach. Enjoy!

Capital History: Premier Hat Shops, 1912 to 1970

As the pluralized name suggests, they were indeed a chain, with a second location at 209 Bank Street, right on the northeast corner of Nepean Street. Premier Hats was founded in 1912 by the delightfully named Samuel Gluck, his first store opening on an opposite corner of Bank and Nepean.