Bytown

Bytown was the original name of what is now Ottawa, the capital city of Canada. Founded in 1826, it developed around a key lock station on the Rideau Canal, which was built to secure British supply routes. Named after Lieutenant Colonel John By, the engineer overseeing the canal's construction, Bytown initially served as a lumbering and trading hub. Over time, it grew with the arrival of government institutions and settlers, officially becoming Ottawa in 1855. Today, Ottawa is recognized for its political, cultural, and historical significance, blending its early industrial roots with modern government and technology hubs.