Here, etched in brass is a tribute to a man of vision. This is the Lieutenant Colonel John By Plaque. It commemorates a figure who shaped a nation’s capital.
The Lieutenant Colonel John By Plaque speaks of John By’s origins. He was born nearby in Lambeth. He was baptised at St Mary-at-Lambeth Church on August 10 1779.
After a career in Canada and the Peninsular War, By was called out of retirement. In 1826 he was sent back to Canada. His task was to construct the Rideau Canal waterway.
Imagine the challenges. The Rideau Canal was a defense project. It would stretch 200 kilometres from the Ottawa River to Lake Ontario. The waterway penetrated uncharted lakes. It crossed virgin forests, rock and swamps. The work was attended by the horrors of introduced malaria.
This outstanding engineering feat required skill. It required the construction of 47 stone masonry locks. It also needed 23 dams. The canal opened on May 30 1832. Now a heritage treasure it remains a recreational waterway.
The Lieutenant Colonel John By Plaque tells of his later life. John By retired to Frant in East Sussex. He died there February 1 1836.
This plaque was erected in 1997. The Historical Society of Ottawa created it. The Lieutenant Colonel John By Plaque ensures his story lives on.
Bytown was renamed Ottawa. Ottawa was selected by Queen Victoria to be the capital. It became the capital of the Dominion of Canada.
John By was honored in many ways. The Byward Market area of Ottawa was named for him. A statue of By stands in Major’s Hill Park. Ottawa’s Colonel By Secondary School was named for him. Colonel By Drive follows the canal through the city. Colonel By Hall is at the University of Ottawa. In 1979 Canada Post issued a stamp bearing his image. Ottawa celebrates Colonel By Day. Colonel By Lake is an artificial lake on the Rideau Canal. Colonel By Park is a waterfront park. Colonel By Valley was named for him in 1976.
This unassuming plaque is more than just a marker. It is a window into a life of dedication. It speaks of engineering brilliance and lasting impact. The Lieutenant Colonel John By Plaque is a testament to a man who shaped a nation.