Blackburn Hamlet
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement|
| official_name = Blackburn Hamlet
| settlement_type = Community
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{CAN}}
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = {{ON}}
| subdivision_type2 = City
| subdivision_name2 = 22px Ottawa
| image_map = Blackburn Hamlet locator map.svg
| map_caption = Blackburn Hamlet within the City of Ottawa
| image_skyline = Blackburn Hamlet.jpg
| image_caption = Innes Road in Blackburn Hamlet
| population = 8,173
| population_as_of = 2021
| area_total_km2 = 2.41
| population_density_km2 = 3,391.29
| leader_title = City Councillor
| leader_name = Laura Dudas
| leader_title1 = MP
| leader_name1 = Mona Fortier
| leader_title2 = MPP
| leader_name2 = Stephen Blais
| coordinates = {{Coord|45|26|00|N|75|33|50|W|display=title,inline|region:CA-ON_type:city}}
| name =
}}
Blackburn Hamlet is a suburban community in Orléans West-Innes Ward, in the east end of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Before the 2001 amalgamation of the city of Ottawa, it was in the city of Gloucester. It is surrounded by rural areas and contains several older and newer areas of settlement. According to the Canada 2021 Census, its population was 8,173. The community took its name from Robert Blackburn, former Member of Parliament for Russell.{{cite web|title=Blackburn Hamlet Description|url=http://neighbourhoodstudy.ca/blackburn-hamlet/|website=Ottawa Neighbourhood Study|accessdate=12 August 2015}}
Often referred to by the locals as simply "Blackburn," it is one of only two suburban areas (the other being Bells Corners) surrounded by National Capital Commission (NCC) Greenbelt lands as well as lands owned by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP){{cite web|title=Technical and Protective Operations Facility|url=http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/dfrp-rbif/pn-nb/08533-eng.aspx|website=Government of Canada|accessdate=12 August 2015}} which were formerly the National Defence Proving Grounds.{{cite news|title=Galipeau's Good Sense|url=http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=1a3c8190-a21a-4c97-a811-20633407c76b&sponsor=|accessdate=12 August 2015|publisher=Ottawa Citizen|date=24 January 2007}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Together, these lands form part of Ottawa's "Greenbelt" and provide Blackburn Hamlet residents and visitors with over 250 km of hiking and cross country skiing trails.
Blackburn is represented at city council but there is active community volunteer involvement as well through the Blackburn Community Association (BCA). Many activities, clubs, events and committees are run through the BCA.{{cite web|title=About the BCA|url=http://blackburnhamlet.ca/about-the-bca/|website=Blackburn Hamlet Community Association|accessdate=16 July 2016}}
History
The earliest settlers to the area arrived between 1803 and 1811, most of whom were of English or Irish descent.{{cite web|title=Blackburn Hamlet - Ottawa Neighbourhoods|url=http://www.ottawaliving.ca/community.php?community_id=42|website=Ottawa Living|accessdate=20 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024061158/http://www.ottawaliving.ca/community.php?community_id=42|archive-date=24 October 2015|url-status=dead}} The area was called "Green's Creek" after Robert Green who operated a sawmill on the creek.{{cite web|last1=Bisson|first1=Chris|title=Forests For The People: Resisting Neoliberalism Through Permaculture Design|url=https://curve.carleton.ca/system/files/etd/f1ef8db3-08d0-4e8c-af82-018e234fc1d6/etd_pdf/1d210c1b4a28e8e964ec84486ee80ecc/bisson-forestsforthepeopleresistingneoliberalism.pdf#page=87|website=Carleton University|accessdate=12 August 2015}} By 1834, the timber was exhausted and the government lands had been sold to farmers who began to settle in the area. These people had to clear their own land and build their own roads and schools. In 1850, Richard Dagg donated the land for the first school in Blackburn. The area was subsequently called "Daggsville" after three families that settled there.
John Kemp and his family were one of the early settlers of Blackburn. When the first school burned down in 1915, a second school was built on the Kemp property where Blackburn Public School was located.{{cite web|title=Historic Gloucester|url=http://www.gloucesterhistory.com/2008-Vol.9%20No.%202-Summer.pdf|website=Gloucester History|accessdate=13 August 2015}}
Agnes Purdy and her husband William settled on Lot 9 across from St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church on Navan Road. Four generations of Purdys farmed the land until the NCC expropriated the farm for the Greenbelt. Agnes was notable as a fundraiser for the church and as a school board secretary for 20 years.
Innes Road running through the Hamlet was named after Alexander Innes who owned a farm further west than Blackburn Hamlet. He also ran the toll road -Russell Rd. heading east from St. Laurent Blvd. He was survived by John Innes who was reeve of Gloucester Township.{{cite journal |url=http://www.gloucesterhistory.com/Historic%20Gloucester%20Volume%2014%20No%203.pdf |title=A New Plaque Remembers Former Reeve John Innes |page=8 |journal=Historic Gloucester |publisher=Gloucester Historical Society |volume=14 |number=3 |date=Fall 2013}} Isaiah Scharf settled on a lot near Emily Carr School, four generations lived in Blackburn on what is now Innes Road. Some of the hamlet streets are named after them and other early settlers such as Kemp, Cleroux, and Tauvette.
In 1858, Joshua Bradley settled in Blackburn.{{cite web|last1=Adams|first1=Nicholas|title=An Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2) of the proposed Bradley East Subdivision Development|url=http://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Image%20Referencing_Subdivision_Image%20Reference_Archaeological%20Assessment%20D07-16-11-0002.PDF#page=13|website=City of Ottawa|publisher=Valecraft Homes Limited|accessdate=19 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304214750/http://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Image%20Referencing_Subdivision_Image%20Reference_Archaeological%20Assessment%20D07-16-11-0002.PDF#page=13|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}} It was through the efforts of his son William Bradley and Robert Blackburn, (Reeve in 1864, then MP) that a post office was secured in 1876 and it was then that the area became known as "Blackburn".
The settlement during these times was divided in two, the area of "Blackburn Corners", located around the existing intersection of Navan and Innes Rds; and "Blackburn Station", the area around the existing intersection of Anderson and Innes Rds.{{cite web|last1=Johnston|first1=Grace|title=Where was the Blackburn Station?|url=http://www.blackburnhamlet.ca/banar/banapr01/pg8.pdf|website=Blackburn Hamlet|publisher=Blackburn Banar|accessdate=20 August 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923191557/http://www.blackburnhamlet.ca/banar/banapr01/pg8.pdf|archivedate=23 September 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Budd|first1=Evelyn|title=History of Blackburn Hamlet|url=http://www.blackburnhamletliving.com/index.php?pageId=23971|website=Blackburn Hamlet Living|accessdate=20 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923191558/http://www.blackburnhamletliving.com/index.php?pageId=23971|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
In 1958, the government gave authority to the NCC to establish a Greenbelt.{{cite web|title=Greenbelt Master Plan Summary|url=http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/sites/default/files/pubs/NCC-Greenbelt-Master-Plan-Summary-1996.pdf#page=19|website=NCC|accessdate=13 August 2015}} Landowner Michael Budd and Costain Estates Ltd were key players in the creation and construction of the community as it is today. Most of the homes were built in the 1960s and 1970s{{cite web|last1=Paquet|first1=Laura Byrne|last2=Uren|first2=Janet|title=Best Neighbourhood Enclaves 2013: East|url=http://www.ottawamagazine.com/homes-gardens/neighbourhoods/2013/06/11/best-neighbourhood-enclaves-2013-east/|website=Ottawa Magazine|accessdate=13 August 2015}} and it was renamed "Blackburn Hamlet". In 1967 the first residents moved in.{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Mark|title=All's Well in the Hamlet|url=http://www.blackburnhamletliving.com/index.php?pageId=23970&action=picture&itemId=305411|accessdate=13 August 2015|work=Ottawa Citizen|date=31 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131839/http://www.blackburnhamletliving.com/index.php?pageId=23970&action=picture&itemId=305411|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} Budd Gardens is operated by Budd's two sons on land now rented from the NCC and both families live in Blackburn.{{cite web|title=Some Blackburn History|url=http://www.buddgardens.com/resources/blackburn-blog|website=Budd Gardens|accessdate=13 August 2015}}
Bob MacQuarrie was a Gloucester Councillor from 1958 to 1966 and was instrumental in providing to the Council and the NCC the feasibility of installing services to the Hamlet.{{cite news |date=September 2007 |title=Parks in Blackburn Hamlet to be renamed after early settlers and builders |url=https://blackburnhamlet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Banar_2007_09.pdf |accessdate=2025-02-24 |work=Blackburn Banar |pages=4-5}} MacQuarrie served as Deputy Reeve and Reeve 1969 to 1978 and as MPP 1981–85.
Demographics
According to the Canadian census, the population of Blackburn was 8,167 in 2016, a drop of 0.8% from the 2011 population of 8,237. About 17.5% of the population is under the age of 15, while those of retirement age (65 and over) comprise approximately 20.0%. In 2016, females made up about 52.5% of the population while males made up about 47.5%.
{{Historical populations
|title = {{Nowrap|Historical census populations –}} Blackburn Hamlet
|type = Canada
|align = none
|cols = 3
|footnote =
|source = For pre 1986 data, see https://edumaps.esri.ca/census/?data_id=dataSource_4-187de62b8f1-layer-5%3A38394For 1991 Canadian Census data, see {{cite web |title=1991 Census Area Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/English/census91/data/profiles/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=1&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=1&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=234&PRID=0&PTYPE=3&S=0&SHOWALL=No&SUB=0&Temporal=1991&THEME=113&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF= |website=Statistics Canada |accessdate=24 July 2018}}
For 1996 Canadian Census data, see {{cite web |title=1996 Census Area Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/English/census96/data/profiles/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=1&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=1&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=35716&PRID=0&PTYPE=89103&S=0&SHOWALL=No&SUB=0&Temporal=2006&THEME=34&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF= |website=Statistics Canada |accessdate=24 July 2018}}
For 2001 Canadian Census data, see {{cite web |title=2001 Census Area Profiles |url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/English/census01/products/standard/themes/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=1&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=1&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=53884&PRID=0&PTYPE=53293&S=0&SHOWALL=No&SUB=0&Temporal=2006&THEME=36&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF= |website=Statistics Canada |accessdate=24 July 2018}}
For 2006 Canadian Census data for Census Tract 0125.01, see {{cite web |title=2006 Census tract profile for 0125.01 |url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-597/P3.cfm?Lang=E&CTuid=5050125.01 |website=Statistics Canada |accessdate=24 July 2018}}
For 2006 Canadian Census data for Census Tract 0125.02, see {{cite web |title=2006 Census tract profile for 0125.02 |url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-597/P3.cfm?Lang=E&CTuid=5050125.02 |website=Statistics Canada |accessdate=24 July 2018}}
For 2011 Canadian Census data for Census Tract 0125.01, see {{cite web |title=2011 Census tract profile for 0125.01 |url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CT&Code1=3221&Geo2=CMA&Code2=505&Data=Count&SearchText=5050125.01&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=3 |website=Statistics Canada |accessdate=24 July 2018}}
For 2011 Canadian Census data for Census Tract 0125.02, see {{cite web |title=2011 Census tract profile for 0125.02 |url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CT&Code1=3222&Geo2=CMA&Code2=505&Data=Count&SearchText=5050125.02&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=3 |website=Statistics Canada |accessdate=24 July 2018}}
For 2016 Canadian Census data for Census Tract 0125.01, see {{cite web |title=2016 Census tract profile for 0125.01 |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CT&Code1=5050125.01&Geo2=CMACA&Code2=505&Data=Count&SearchText=5050125.01&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=3 |website=Statistics Canada |accessdate=24 July 2018}}
For 2016 Canadian Census data for Census Tract 0125.02, see {{cite web |title=2016 Census tract profile for 0125.02 |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CT&Code1=5050125.02&Geo2=CMACA&Code2=505&Data=Count&SearchText=5050125.02&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=3 |website=Statistics Canada |accessdate=24 July 2018}}
|1956 |748
|1961 |1022
|1966 |1481
|1971 |3924
|1976 |6972
|1981 |9980
|1986 |9674
|1991 |9574
|1996 |9275
|2001 |8955
|2006 |8527
|2011 |8237
|2016 |8167
|2021 |8173
}}
Recreational facilities
Next to Blackburn is Hornet's Nest, an outdoor recreational facility containing 11 soccer fields.{{cite web|title=Facilities|url=http://www.gloucesterhornets.ca/DisplayPage.aspx?ID=2706|website=Ottawa Gloucester Hornets Soccer|accessdate=12 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018210700/http://www.gloucesterhornets.ca/DisplayPage.aspx?ID=2706|archive-date=18 October 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} Also in Hornet's Nest is a multi-use, privately owned indoor sports dome called the SuperDome, which houses an additional FIFA-approved soccer pitch. The SuperDome runs throughout the year, allowing summer sports to be played in the winter.{{cite web|title=Superdome|url=http://ottawa.ca/en/business/doing-business-city/public-private-partnerships-p3s/superdome|website=City of Ottawa|accessdate=12 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120020056/http://ottawa.ca/en/business/doing-business-city/public-private-partnerships-p3s/superdome|archive-date=20 January 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} École secondaire publique Louis-Riel is home to the Hamlet's second dome, which is also the largest air-supported fabric structure indoor recreation facility in North America at 12,422 square meters (133,705 square feet). The Dome at Louis-Riel, like the SuperDome, also allows for year-round summer sports.{{cite web|title=Yeadon®’s Most Recent Successful Project March 2005|url=http://www.yeadondomes.com/en/archives/march-2005-le-dome-a-louis|website=Yeadon Air Supported Structures|accessdate=12 August 2015}}
During the winter months, the Blackburn Arena opens its 3 ice rinks, where local residents can partake in hockey and public skating.{{cite web|title=Blackburn Arena Ice Skating Rink|url=http://www.rinktime.com/skating_rinks/on/blackburn_arena_skating_rink_arena_gloucester_on.cfm|website=Rinktime|accessdate=12 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528074330/http://www.rinktime.com/skating_rinks/on/blackburn_arena_skating_rink_arena_gloucester_on.cfm|archive-date=28 May 2015|url-status=dead}} The Green's Creek toboggan hill, located just next to the hamlet, also opens with the snowfall, and is maintained by the City of Ottawa.{{cite web|title=Tobogganing in the Greenbelt|url=http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/greenbelt/things-to-do/tobogganing-greenbelt|website=NCC|accessdate=12 August 2015}}
Government
Blackburn Hamlet is represented on the municipal level as part of Innes Ward,{{cite news |last1=Pearson |first1=Matthew |title=Ottawa Votes: Tight, four-way race grips Innes ward |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-votes-tight-four-way-race-grips-innes-ward |accessdate=20 July 2018 |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=23 October 2014}} with the current city councillor being Laura Dudas. On the provincial level, the Hamlet makes up part of the Orléans provincial electoral district,{{cite news |last1=Skura |first1=Elyse |title=Taking care of seniors, reducing bills are front of mind in Orléans |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/orl%C3%A9ans-cbcstreettalk-ontario-election-2018-issues-1.4663970 |accessdate=20 July 2018 |work=CBC News |date=16 May 2018}} and is represented by Member of Provincial Parliament Stephen Blais. On the national level, Blackburn is part of the Ottawa-Vanier federal electoral district,{{cite web |title=Federal Election 2015: Orléans riding results |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2160253/federal-election-2015-orleans-riding/ |website=Global News |accessdate=20 July 2018}} with Mona Fortier as Member of Parliament.
On the local level, community initiatives are organized by the Blackburn Community Association (BCA), a group of volunteers. The BCA works to promote local businesses, run community events, and manage the Blackburn Community Hall and other undertakings.{{cite web |title=About the Blackburn Community Association |url=http://blackburnhamlet.ca/about-the-bca/ |website=Blackburn Community Association |accessdate=23 July 2018}} Its board of directors includes a president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary.{{cite web |title=Blackburn Community Association – Board of Directors, Roles and Responsibilities |url=http://blackburnhamlet.ca/wp-content/uploads/Director-Roles-and-Responsibilities.pdf |website=Blackburn Community Association |accessdate=23 July 2018}}
Education
=[[Ottawa-Carleton District School Board|English Public]]=
;Elementary
- Glen Ogilvie Public School
- Emily Carr Middle School
;High School
- Norman Johnston Alternative School
=[[Ottawa Catholic School Board|English Catholic]]=
;Elementary
- Good Shepherd School
=[[Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario|French Public]]=
;High School
=[[Conseil des écoles catholiques de langue française du Centre-Est|French Catholic]]=
;Elementary
- École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Marie
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline}}
{{Geographic Location (8-way)
| North =
| Northeast = Chapel Hill
| East = Chapel Hill South
| Southeast = Bradley Estates
| South = Mer Bleue
| Southwest =
| West = Pineview
| Northwest = Beacon Hill
| Center = Blackburn Hamlet
}}
{{Ottawa neighbourhoods}}
{{authority control}}