Richmond in Ottawa, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Breaking Through to the Jock River

A monumental task accomplished by truly remarkable people.

— Richmond Heritage Mural Gallery —

Breaking Through to the Jock River Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2024

1. Breaking Through to the Jock River Marker

Inscription. The village of Richmond was established in 1818. This scene illustrates the clearing of the original Richmond Road through dense forest and undergrowth from Richmond Landing on the Ottawa River, to the Jock River (called at that time the “Goodwood”) at its closest — a distance of approximately 20 miles. The work was done by 400 discharged officers and soldiers of England's 99th (100th) Regiments led by officers of the Royal Engineers following the War of 1812. They landed on the Ottawa River at Richmond Landing, below Chaudière Falls in mid-August, set up their families in camps at what is now Le Breton Flats, cut 20 miles of road, and built shelters to withstand a Canadian winter 3 miles upriver at the Richmond settlement — all before Christmas! Shown here are the working officers and men, the Chapman settlement, tents to shelter workers, horses hauling logs and brush to be burned and a piece of “corduroy road” — trees laid down across the road in swampy areas.

Erected 2000 by Richmond Village Association. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles •

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Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.

Location. 45° 11.741′ N, 75° 50.252′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Ontario, in Ottawa. It is on Huntley Road just north of Perth Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker and mural are mounted high on the east facade of the Richmond Memorial Community Centre. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6095 Perth Street, Richmond ON K0A 2Z0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario

and in the Ottawa Metropolitan Area.

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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Richmond Settlement 1825 (a few steps from this marker); Richmond Military Settlement (within shouting distance of this marker); County of Carleton/Richmond Agricultural Society

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2024

2. Breaking Through to the Jock River Marker

Looking west from Huntley Road; the marker and mural are mounted high on the east facade of the Richmond Memorial Community Centre.

(within shouting distance of this marker); War Memorial Cenotaph (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Loyal Orange Lodge #151 (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Charles Lennox (approx. 4.8 kilometers away); War Memorial (approx. 11 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Richmond Heritage Mural Gallery

Also see . . . History of Richmond (by William McElroy).

Excerpt: After the final defeat of Bonaparte at Waterloo (June 18, 1815) and the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States, a number of British regiments were about to be sent home to England to be paid off and disbanded. In the spring of 1818 the officers and men had their choice of a passage home or, if they so elected, to remain in Canada where they would receive free grants of land in the new country to be settled on the Ottawa and Rideau rivers. They embarked on the Ottawa River late in the month of August arrived at the foot of the Chaudière Falls at
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2024

3. Breaking Through to the Jock River Mural
Designed and painted by Becky Marr-Johnson of North Gower, Ontario.
a place which they named Richmond Landing. Tents were pitched and families made as comfortable as possible, while the men went forward to cut out the road to their new homes. The road which is still known as "the Richmond Road", bordered along the high ground near the Ottawa River till it reached Bell's Corners (then known as Steele's Tavern). From there it struck southwesterly to Chapman's on the Jock River, and thence along the river, more or less, to the site of the village. A number of French habitants had been engaged to assist in erecting houses, which work had to be hurriedly done as the long winter was fast approaching, and it was Christmas before all were safely housed in their new homes.

(Submitted on August 24, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 625 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.