/ #media 

Scans from 1960's event magazine "What's On in Ottawa" give a glimpse into our cultural history

[ ![](/legacy/02770.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_164442.jpg)
Several issues of _ What's On in Ottawa _ magazine, spread out on my kitchen table.
Andrew Tidman recently sent along several copies of a 1960s Ottawa magazine called _ What's On in Ottawa _ .  It was full of local event listings, tourist attractions, restaurants and nightclubs, and operated for 10 years, publishing 116 issues.  Tidman's family ran the magazine, which was aimed primarily at tourists and visitors.

The magazines provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural life of our city 50 years ago. I scanned in about 150 images and adverts from the magazine and shared them here. I’ve highlighted some of my favourites below.

If any our readers remember any of these establishments, I’d like to hear about it. You can leave a comment below, or send an email to feedback@ottawastart.com.  Also Andrew is looking for ideas on what to do with these magazines. Is there a museum or archival organization who would be interested in these?

[ ![](/legacy/02771.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_164551.jpg)
Liberace and Perry Como and SuperEx 1966.
[ ![](/legacy/02772.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_164640.jpg)
Johnny Cash at the Capitol Theatre on Queen Street.
[ ![](/legacy/02773.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_164912.jpg)
"Swingers, sophisticates, chicks and cats make the liveliest scene in town..."
  The Talisman is now the Travelodge Hotel, and
  [
   Andrew King wrote a good piece on it here
  ](http://ottawastart.com/guest-blog-andrew-king-discovers-the-hidden-secrets-of-the-talisman-hotel/)
  .
[ ![](/legacy/02774.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_165030.jpg)
I love the design in this ad.  "Free toy guardsman for each youngster"
[ ![](/legacy/02775.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_165053.jpg)
One of Ottawa's old department stores.  Note the "OTC Bus Stop" sign.
[ ![](/legacy/02776.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_165117.jpg)
Another old department store - Freimans.  They used to be at Westgate, and on Rideau Street where The Bay is now.
[ ![](/legacy/02777.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_165214.jpg)
Ogdensburg as a tourist destination.
[ ![](/legacy/02778.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_165220.jpg)
There used to be a wax museum on Sparks Street. It included a diorama of D'Arcy McGee's assassination.
[ ![](/legacy/02779.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_165310.jpg)

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_165551.jpg)

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_165621.jpg)

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_165648.jpg)

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_165725.jpg)

[ ![](/legacy/02784.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_165841.jpg)

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_165959.jpg)

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_170017.jpg)

[ ![](/legacy/02787.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_170101.jpg)
Great retro logo. (Andrew King t-shirt design?)
[ ![](/legacy/02788.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_170115.jpg)
Before we had 24-hour Shoppers Drug Marts, we had drug stores that opened on Sundays.
[ ![](/legacy/02789.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_170140.jpg)
This is now a really nice condo overlooking Lebreton Flats.

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_170257.jpg)

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_170416.jpg)

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_170404.jpg)

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_170431.jpg)

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_170528.jpg)

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_170735.jpg)

[ ![](/legacy/02796.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_170909.jpg)
A listing of some of Ottawa's vintage cafeterias.
[ ![](/legacy/02797.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_171054.jpg)
The "Specific Writers Association" intrigues me.
[ ![](/legacy/02798.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_171112.jpg)
Christopher Ryan [ recently wrote a good history of this development ](http://ottawastart.com/christopher-ryan-the-somerset-towers-especially-designed-to-meet-the-needs-of-ottawas-own-mystique/) .

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_171401.jpg)

[ ![](/legacy/02800.jpg)
  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140301_165437.jpg)
The legendary coffee house _ Le _ _ Hibou. " _ Hootenanny every Monday from 9pm, admission 50 cents."

Big thanks to Andrew Tidman for sharing these magazines! You can see all 150+ scans here.

** See also: ** Ottawa Entertainment Guide

If you liked this post, you should ** subscribe to etcetera , ** our free email newsletter. Featuring cool Ottawa events, interesting local news and contests and giveaways. Thanks!