Fire on the Hill

Original Centre Block
Parliament Hill

Some were quite amusing, like:

• December ads for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Yes, you could have bought a Harley in Ottawa in 1915.
• The Ottawa Rough Riders football team ended the season in financial difficulties.
• The Postal Clerk’s second annual ball was held the Racquet Court in Ottawa. The ballroom was so bright, one could see one’s reflection. The hall was decorated with Union Jacks, Canadian flags and the French tri-color.
• The Ottawa Senators hockey team was trying to get their wind back by running along the Ottawa canal.
• The local hockey leagues were discussing whether they should have 6- or 7-man teams. During this period, hockey was transitioning from 7-man hockey to 6-man hockey by removing the rover position.
• When it snowed, the newspapers would report on the status of the telephone lines. It seems heavy snowfall would knock them out on occasion.
• The Duke and Duchess of Connaught held skating parties at their residence, Rideau Hall. Skating parties at had become a tradition at Rideau Hall by this time.
• A new toboggan slide was built at Rockcliffe.
• Gas prices were up 50%. Times haven’t changed very much.

But times were difficult for some:

• Women gave out white feathers to encourage recruitment. It was not unusual for Canadian men to receive several white feathers a day. For some who tried to volunteer but were rejected, the shame became so great they committed suicide.
• Casualty lists were regularly published in the newspapers. The lists reported the name, the type of wound such as shot wound to the leg, shrapnel wound, and the next of kin.
• Appeals were made to help Canadian prisoners of war with gifts and food packages.
• Fire was a constant threat. You need to remember that during this period there was no central heating. To heat your home you had to use wood or coal stoves, fireplaces and furnaces. If the homeowner became careless, a fire would quickly consume the home.
• If you were a German or Austrian after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria triggered the start of World War One, life was very difficult. Your mail was intercepted. German-language newspapers were heavily censored or shut down. The city of Berlin, Ontario, had to eventually change its name to Kitchener. Careless remarks could have you arrested, or worse, interned.
• Food prices rose due to increased demand to supply and feed the millions of Allied soldiers in England and France.
• Temperance was beginning to grow in strength. In Ottawa most social events were dry.