More of the history of Ottawa and the Valley is contained in our old
walls than in any other building of the Nation's Capital.
1827 - 1837 - The first construction on this site, a log tavern, was
eventually extended to include a small, modest hotel, the "McArthur
House". Our largest dining room is named in honour of this first
construction. This was subsequently replaced by the "Ottawa Hotel",
constructed of local quarried limestone.
1840 - 1864 - Operated as "McArthur's British Hotel".
1865 - 1875 - A new wing was added. Buildings were then leased to the
federal government for use by a 150-man garrison which was sent to
guard the newly appointed Governor General, Lord Monck. The
buildings continued to house the military until 1871. One
interesting note from this period is the last military public
hanging was held in our courtyard.
1875 - 1880 - Refurbished and operated as the "Clarendon House Hotel".
1880 - 1942 - Used as headquarters for the Geological Survey, then by
the Mines Branch of the Federal Government.
1911 - 1912 - used as civil emergency centre during the Typhoid
Epidemic.
The building lay unused until 1978 when the National Capital
Commission began renovations to convert it into the present
Courtyard Restaurant. After opening in July 1980 it was closed five
weeks later because of a disastrous fire in the adjoining building.
The Courtyard reopened in November 1980.
2005 - The Courtyard Restaurant celebrates our 25th
Anniversary!
