Sandy Hill Cathouse

Two former houses that have been twinned by joining them with a garage. Built in 1892, they have been the bane of the City of Ottawa, the Sandy Hill community association and the Gorfay Reality Company, the current owners. A demolition application submitted to the city in 2005 was denied as the owner had no plans for replacing these homes. What has been happening is heritage homes in the area have been demolished or "converted" into student housing to exploit the very real shortage of housing for University of Ottawa students. 197 seems to have suffered a fire but I could find nothing in the news. The west side is shored up to prevent its collapse. It is fenced and, as with all properties in Ottawa, monitored by the police and by-law. This property has made "the list" for city intervention to deal with problem buildings and landlords. These properties made the papers and the federally produced "Ottawa Directory" as far back as the early 1900s.

Naturally, the church across the street was just finishing Easter services when I showed up. Camera and clipboard (don't ask) in hand, I attempted to look "official". Several curious glances and a few "move along please"s in return allowed me to take some exteriors. Based on the locks having been smashed, others have entered, certainly 201. Not my style - my boss and her bosses would be VERY unhappy with me making the news.

One cool item was an auction of the contents advertised in the Ottawa Journal, 28 April, 1976, when these properties may very well vacated by their last real owners: (the spelling errors in the below are OCR errors). I don't believe this was an actual cathouse....you'll figure out why I added that to the name if you look closely.

MAMMOTH AUCTION FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 10:00 A.M. 197 WILBROD, OTTAWA We have been commissioned to sell by public auction the contents of 2 rooming houses and many collected (terns of D. B. Forsyth to the highest bidders. Some of the items are restored antiques, furniture in the rough, contemporary furniture, appliances and household goods of which some of these are: Sessiones mantle clock; stained gtass window; 4 commodes; oak dining room tables; 18 beds; bedroom sets; iron beds; 12 varied upholstered chairs; washstand bowl A pitcher; 10 desks; round top trunk; 5 wardrobes; large, ornate mirror; 5 working refrlq orators; wood tables; 4 working electric cook stoves; ash armoire; 4 open washstands; assorted mirrors; assimilated oak secretary; modern coffee table; 2 rocking chairs, one chaise a la capucine; 18 chests of drawers; oval mirror; Quebec primitive rocking chair; shelving; 7 book cases; selection of books, posters prints; copper tea kettle; 5 side tables; large mahogany library table; couches A sofas; hall tree; oak buffet; many table lamps; many old framed photos; over 40 assorted chairs including many matching pressed back. 8 oak dintng room chairs. 6 office chairs; 2 TVs; tool boxes; framed photo of old qont; brass chandelier; larqe quantity of household goods. Please note there are no rrserve bids, bid-ins, or buy-backs. Everything must be sold. All sales final Low cost trucking available. Our service does not cost if paysf ASHTON AUCTION SERVICE P.O. Box 500, Ashton, Ont., 257-1575 Gerald W. Lepage Auctioneers Janice R. Higgins