Throughout Ottawa’s history, many outstanding individuals have contributed to the city’s prosperity. Some of these figures served as mayors of Bytown, the settlement that later became the capital of Canada—Ottawa. More on ottawayes.com.
First Mayor of Bytown
The settlement of Bytown was founded in 1826, driven by the rapid growth of the timber and fur trade. However, it wasn’t until 1847 that the residents elected their first mayor. At that time, the municipal leader was chosen for a one-year term, which was hardly enough time to implement significant changes for the city’s benefit.
In 1847, John Scott was elected as Bytown’s first mayor. A seasoned lawyer, he understood the needs of the community, knew how to represent their interests, and was committed to their protection. Despite serving only a short term, he remained involved in politics and was re-elected as mayor in 1850. Scott was the only one among Bytown’s seven mayors to serve two terms between 1847 and 1854.
Second Mayor of Bytown and First Mayor of Ottawa
Another significant figure in the city’s history was John Bower Lewis. Like his predecessor, he was a successful lawyer. Deeply concerned about the future of the Ottawa Valley, he served as mayor twice—first elected as Bytown’s mayor in 1848 and later as the first mayor of Ottawa in 1855. Lewis dedicated his life to the city’s development and tirelessly advocated for the interests of its residents.
A Woman Leading the City
Charlotte Whitton may have appeared delicate, but she possessed a strong will and an unyielding drive to improve her city.
Before becoming mayor, she worked as a social worker and academic writer. She was also the founder of the Child Welfare Council.
Whitton entered politics in 1950 when she ran for the presidency of Canada. Though she lost the election, she secured a position on the Board of Control. The following year, after the sudden passing of Ottawa’s mayor, Grenville Goodwin, she stepped into the role. A staunch monarchist, Whitton presided over several royal visits to Ottawa during her tenure. In 1951, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited the city, and in 1953, Whitton attended Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. These were pivotal historical moments for Ottawa, made possible by Mayor Whitton.
Whitton was also Ottawa’s first female mayor, serving from 1951 to 1964. She was known for her bold personality and fiery temperament, which frequently led to clashes with Ottawa’s city council. Her strong character made political negotiations challenging, and her relationships with other high-ranking officials were often strained.
However, despite her contentious nature, Whitton achieved several significant milestones that contributed to Ottawa’s growth. During her tenure:
- Construction began on Ottawa’s new city hall on Green Island;
- Numerous modern housing developments were built;
- The city’s old hospital was converted into a long-term care facility for seniors;
- Government grants boosted Ottawa’s budget, allowing for increased investment in urban development.
Mayor of Ottawa: Stanley Lewis
Stanley Lewis served as Ottawa’s mayor from 1936 to 1948. Before assuming office, he worked as an alderman and later as a controller. In 1932, he lost his controller position but regained it a year later.
Several landmark events took place during his tenure, including a visit from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and his attendance at the king’s coronation in 1937. In 1941, Lewis was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Ottawa.
After retiring from politics, he devoted the remainder of his life to philanthropy.
The English Mayor
George Nelms was born in Oxford, England, and immigrated to Canada in 1912. He pursued education in optics and later founded George H. Nelms Opticians.
Like many of Ottawa’s mayors, Nelms was a member of the Board of Control before becoming mayor. He served from 1956 to 1960, during which several major infrastructure projects were completed:
- The construction of the Queensway highway;
- The building of Ottawa’s new city hall;
- The establishment of the Britannia Filtration Plant;
- The completion of the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge.
During his tenure, Ottawa hosted important royal visits, including one from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Queensway.
Despite his successes, Nelms’ mayoralty was not without controversy. One of his biggest setbacks was a gas leak on Slater Street, which resulted in the destruction of two office buildings and the city’s theatre.
Mayor of Ottawa: Eddie Bourke
Eddie Bourke served as Ottawa’s mayor from 1949 to 1950. Like many of his predecessors, he started his political career on the Board of Control, where he worked from 1936 until his election as mayor.
Although his tenure lasted only two years, Bourke managed to accomplish several key initiatives for the city. Among them:
- The annexation of large areas of Gloucester and Nepean into Ottawa;
- Securing municipal funding for the construction of the Mackenzie King Bridge;
- Overseeing and ensuring the completion of various city improvement projects.
A Legacy of Leadership in Ottawa
Between 1847 and 1854, Bytown elected a new mayor annually, with a total of eight individuals holding office during this period. When Bytown was renamed Ottawa and officially became a city in 1855, it saw a succession of 62 mayors between then and 2001. Each of these leaders, in their own way, contributed to the city’s ongoing growth and prosperity.