Byward Market - Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Château Laurier
⎯⎯⎯
Le Château Laurier
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2019
1. Château Laurier /
Le Château Laurier Marker
Le Château Laurier Marker
Designed by the architectural firm of Ross and MacFarlane this hotel was built between 1908 and 1912 and enlarged in the 1920s. It was the first in a chain of Château style hotels constructed by the Grand Trunk Railway (later incorporated into the Canadian National Railways), to encourage tourists to travel its routes. Distinguished by its crisp facades and steep, copper roofs, the hotel’s picturesque appearance captures the romance of travelling by train. The Châteauesque rooflines of several federal government buildings in Ottawa were inspired by the commanding presence of this hotel.
L'édifice a été construit entre 1908 et 1912, d'après des plans de Ross et MacFarlane et agrandi durant les années 1920. En érigeant son premier hôtel de style Château, le Grand Tronc (incorporé plus tard dans les Chemins de fer nationaux du Canada) cherchait à encourager le tourisme à voyager par chemin de fer. Avec ses façades altières, couronnées de toitures en cuivre, cet hôtel matérialise l’enchantement des voyages en train. Le profil de son toit, qui évoque celui d’un château, a servi d’inspiration pur de nombreux immeubles du gouvernent fédéral d’Ottawa.
Erected by Historic
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Man-Made Features • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location. 45° 25.505′ N, 75° 41.698′ W. Marker is in Ottawa, Ontario. It is in Byward Market - Parliament Hill. It is at the intersection of Rideau Street (Ontario Route 34) and Elgin Street ( Route 91), on the right when traveling west on Rideau Street. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the Château Laurier (Hotel Fairmont) just to the left of the main front entrance portico. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa ON K1N 8S7, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2019
2. Château Laurier Marker • wide view
(marker on wall • just left of portico)
(marker on wall • just left of portico)
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Château Laurier (a few steps from this marker); Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada (within shouting distance of this marker); The Commissariat (within shouting distance of this marker); Laura Secord, UE (within shouting distance of this marker); Rail Heritage in the Capital (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieutenant Colonel Charles-Michel d’Irumberry de Salaberry, CB (within shouting distance of this marker); Sappers’ Bridge (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant) (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ottawa.
Regarding Château Laurier / Le Château Laurier. The Chateau Laurier was commissioned by then-commissioner of the Grand Trunk Railroad, Charles M Hayes. The hotel was completed in 1912; timing intended to coincide with the opening of Ottawa's Train Union Station. The train station is no longer in use, but the hotel is still in business today and retains every
Photographed by Robert Rusaw, April 12, 2022
3. Château Laurier / Le Château Laurier Marker
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Château Laurier
Also see . . .
1. Château Laurier. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 30, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Charles Melville Hays (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: In April 1912, Hays was in London soliciting financial support for the Grand Trunk Railroad. He was anxious to get back to Canada for the grand opening of the Château Laurier, set for April 25. J. Bruce Ismay, chairman of the White Star Line, had invited Hays to join him on the RMS Titanic. At 11:40 pm on April 14, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg. Hays helped the women in his party into one of the ship's lifeboats, but he, his son-in-law, and his secretary remained and perished when(Submitted on September 28, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)the ship sank. Hays' body was recovered from the waters of the North Atlantic by the Minia, and he was buried at Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal.Photographed by Robert Rusaw, April 12, 20224. Château Laurier / Le Château Laurier Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2019
5. Château Laurier / Le Château Laurier
(southwest corner view)
(southwest corner view)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2019
6. Château Laurier / Le Château Laurier
(southeast corner view)
(southeast corner view)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2019
7. Château Laurier / Le Château Laurier (west side)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 653 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 28, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on April 18, 2022, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 28, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
