Bytown is the former name of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada's capital city.
Located where the Rideau Canal meets the Ottawa River, it took its name from John By who, as Colonel of the British Engineers, was instrumental in the construction of the canal. Bytown was incorporated in 1850 and, upon incorporation into a city in 1855, was given the new name Ottawa. Bytown straddled the canal, with Lower Town on the East side where the current Byward Market and general area of Lower Town still exists, and Upper Town to the West, situated in the area of the current downtown and Parliament Hill. The history of Bytown is covered in the main article on Ottawa. There is now a Bytown Museum in Ottawa, which happens to be the oldest stone building in the city. It is home to artifacts dating back to the era. The Rideau Canal also is the resting place of many fallen Irishmen who died while making the historic route; there is a monument dedicated to them. Bytown was a village to Richmond which was at the time the main military settlement.
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