Ottawa Normal School (City Hall)
195 Elgin Street
Written by Bytown Museum
on
03/Dec/2009
When it opened in 1875, the Ottawa Normal School boasted two entrances, one for women and one for men, as the Victorians preferred it. In fact, the entire institution was divided along gender lines.
Normal schools (or teachers' colleges) admitted students based on an application that included a “certificate of moral character” from a member of the clergy or a school inspector recommending the applicant.
The Ottawa Normal School served as a teachers' college until 1974. Today, the building is known simply as the “Heritage Building” and is part of Ottawa City Hall, home to the mayor's office.
This building is featured on the Haunted Walk as one of Ottawa's haunted spots. It is believed to be haunted by the ghost of Eliza Bolton, one of the earliest teacher instructors at the college.
