Stittsville

History and Development

The history of Stittsville begins with the settlement of Goulbourn Township, which was founded in 1818 by Irish soldiers following the War of 1812. The village itself was officially established in 1854 when its first post office was built, with Jackson Stitt appointed as the first postmaster, leading to the name Stittsville. The original village, now known as Old Stittsville, was centred around the intersection of Carp Road and Hazeldean Road. A catastrophic event shaped the community's trajectory in 1870 when the Carleton County Fire, which burned over 250,000 acres, destroyed nearly all the buildings in Stittsville. The village was subsequently rebuilt around the newly constructed Canada Central Railway line, which later became part of the Canadian Pacific Railway, cementing its importance as a local hub.

Rail service defined Stittsville's growth for over a century, with the last passenger train passing through on January 14, 1990. Following the line's decommissioning, the rail bed was converted into a section of the Trans-Canada Trail, which runs perpendicular to Stittsville Main Street along Abbott Street East. The modern era of expansion began in earnest with the extension of Highway 417 in the 1970s, which improved commuting access to Ottawa. The most significant administrative change occurred in 2001 when the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton was amalgamated, absorbing Goulbourn Township and Stittsville into the new City of Ottawa. Since amalgamation, residential development has accelerated dramatically, with approximately 44 percent of homes built since 2016 and a current rate of about 1,000 new homes constructed per year.

Geography and Neighbourhoods

Stittsville is situated at the western edge of Ottawa's urban boundary, immediately southwest of Kanata and approximately 20 to 30 kilometres west of Downtown Ottawa. Its boundaries are generally defined by Terry Fox Drive to the east, the Trans-Canada Trail and Goulbourn Wetland Complex to the west, Hazeldean Road to the north, and Fallowfield Road to the south. The community is not a monolithic suburb but a collection of distinct neighbourhoods, each with different characteristics based on the age of housing, lot sizes, and proximity to the historic core. The area's position adjacent to the Kanata North technology corridor makes it a practical choice for professionals working in that sector, while the commute to downtown Ottawa is longer but facilitated by Highway 417.

The neighbourhoods of Stittsville range from the heritage area along Main Street to newer subdivisions developed from the 1980s onward. Real estate guides frequently rank areas such as Fairwinds, Blackstone, Shea Village, and Amberwood among the top neighbourhoods for families. A major focus of current and future growth is the Stittsville North Urban Expansion Area, also known as the Fernbank lands, for which the City of Ottawa initiated a Community Design Plan process. This planned development will add significant new residential capacity to the community. The differences between neighbourhoods are pronounced, affecting daily routines, walkability, and access to schools and parks, making the choice of area an important consideration for prospective residents.

Historic Buildings and Landmarks

Stittsville retains several buildings that anchor its historical identity, primarily concentrated along Stittsville Main Street. The Bradley/Craig barn and farmhouse, located at 590 Hazeldean Road, are historically designated structures originating from a Crown land grant in 1824. The barn was built in 1873 by local craftsman John Cummings to house a dairy herd, and the farmhouse was constructed by the Bradley family throughout the 1870s, with the family farming the land until the 2000s. Another significant structure is the building known as Green's Hotel at 1510 Stittsville Main Street, believed to have been built around 1890 by John Cummings. It originally opened as the Pacific Hotel, catering to railway travellers, and was later owned by George Green.

The adjacent Alexander's Hotel, which stood at 1518 Stittsville Main Street, was built around 1870 for William Alexander and operated as a hotel until 1919 before becoming Bradley's General Store. This building was destroyed in a fire on September 9, 2013, while under renovation. The Stittsville United Church represents one of the community's oldest congregations, established in 1824. Its first log chapel was built in 1845, with a brick chapel constructed in 1883 that still forms part of the current church structure, which saw further additions in 1952, 1963, and 2006. In 2026, the city's Built Heritage Committee approved the designation of the Hartin House, another local heritage property, for protection.

Municipal Services and Infrastructure

As part of the City of Ottawa, Stittsville is served by a full suite of municipal services. Ottawa Fire Services operates Station 81 in the community, and the Ottawa Police Service maintains a neighbourhood policing centre at the 211 Huntmar station. The Stittsville branch of the Ottawa Public Library provides library services, and a ServiceOntario outlet is also located within the community. The area is represented by three publicly funded school boards: the Ottawa Catholic School Board, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, and the Centre-East French Catholic School Board. High schools serving the area include Sacred Heart Catholic High School, the Frederick Banting Secondary Alternate Program, and École secondaire catholique Paul-Desmarais. A new Catholic high school was under construction on Cope Drive as of 2026.

Transportation infrastructure is a constant focus due to the community's growth. The primary east-west artery is Highway 417, with Hazeldean Road and Carp Road handling much local traffic. A significant planned project is the Stittsville Main North extension, intended to improve connectivity from the Jackson Trails area to newer developments. The city is also actively developing park infrastructure, with several new parks under construction and older parks receiving upgrades as of 2026. Key projects include the development of Fernbank District Park and the renewal of Amberway Park, whose official park designation was corrected in 2026 after a decades-old administrative error. The former Pretty Street Community Centre building was scheduled for demolition in late 2026 to prepare the site for future not-for-profit housing.

Community Life and Media

Community life in Stittsville is active and family-focused, supported by local organizations and events. The Stittsville Village Association, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026, is involved in community advocacy and organizes local events. Annual traditions include the Poppies of Goulbourn display for Remembrance Day and fundraising initiatives like Rock Out 4 Jack, a grassroots effort founded by Gregory Brown to support his son. The Royal Canadian Legion branch meets in the historic Orange Hall, which dates back to the 19th century. Recreational opportunities are abundant, with the Trans-Canada Trail providing a major corridor for walking and cycling directly through the community. In 2026, the Planning and Housing Committee approved a zoning amendment to permit a new year-round destination-oriented recreational facility southwest of Stittsville.

Local media is led by The Stittsville & Richmond Community Voice, a community newspaper launched in August 2019 and distributed biweekly by Canada Post. It succeeded the Stittsville News, a weekly Metroland publication that closed in January 2019. Stittsville has also been featured in television productions, serving as a filming location for the 1988 CBC TV movie The Bobby Gimby Story. A more recent local production is the television series Stittsville on Patrol, created by Christopher Redmond and starring local personality Ben Milks. The show premiered in January 2021 to high ratings on Bell Fibe TV1 and was renewed for a second season in September 2021, highlighting local stories and characters.

Notable Residents

Stittsville is home to a number of individuals who have achieved prominence in sports, music, and public life. The community has strong ties to professional hockey, producing and hosting several NHL players and coaches. Notable athletes include Craig Anderson, a former professional goaltender for the Washington Capitals, and Matt Bradley, a retired Washington Capitals player for whom a local arena is named. Other hockey figures from Stittsville are coaches Guy Boucher, Dave Cameron, and Paul MacLean, as well as current Edmonton Oilers defenceman Cody Ceci. The concentration of athletes, particularly in hockey, reflects the community's strong sporting culture and facilities, while residents from other fields include Juno Award-winning musician Kathleen Edwards and Olympic gold medal wrestler Erica Wiebe.

• Craig Anderson, former professional goaltender for the Washington Capitals and other NHL teams.
• Guy Boucher, professional hockey coach.
• Matt Bradley, retired professional hockey player for the Washington Capitals, for whom a local arena is named.
• Dave Cameron, professional hockey coach.
• Cody Ceci, professional hockey player for the Edmonton Oilers.
• Kathleen Edwards, Juno Award-winning musician.
• Paul MacLean, professional hockey coach.
• Julie Steggall, member of Canada's 1994 Winter Olympics freestyle skiing team.
• Erica Wiebe, Olympic gold medallist in women's 75 kg freestyle wrestling at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Recent and Planned Development

Stittsville is one of Ottawa's most active areas for residential development, with numerous projects underway or in the planning stages as of 2026. A major subdivision approved on Hazeldean Road near Mantra Street plans to add 347 new homes. Another significant application, after revisions in October 2026, proposed 309 units on Flewellyn Road, down from an initial 360, and included a mixed-use commercial and residential block. Claridge Homes has submitted a site plan application to build 120 new homes in 10 three-storey stacked townhouse buildings on land between Putney Crescent and Robert Grant Avenue. These projects are part of the broader trend that sees the ward adding approximately 1,000 new homes annually, with projections suggesting the population could exceed 75,000 within two decades.

The planning process involves continuous community engagement. The city utilizes its Engage Ottawa platform for public consultations on major projects like the Fernbank District Park design. Zoning amendments are a regular feature of council business, such as the approval in September 2026 for a development on Hazeldean Road, though a technical error required the file to be reopened briefly in October 2026. These developments are strategically planned to integrate with existing infrastructure, with a focus on creating complete communities that include parks, schools, and transportation links like the planned Main Street north extension. This ongoing growth requires careful management of services and infrastructure to maintain the community's character and quality of life.

Questions about Stittsville

Is Stittsville a good place to live for families?

Stittsville is widely considered an excellent place for families. The community has a family-oriented demographic profile with a concentration of families with children, which shapes demand for larger homes and organized youth sports. It is served by three school boards: the Ottawa Catholic School Board, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, and Centre-East French Catholic School Board, which operate local high schools. The housing stock is weighted toward detached family-sized homes. Its location provides easy access to the Kanata North technology corridor, a major employment cluster for professional workers.

What is the historic main street of Stittsville like?

Stittsville Main Street is the historic core of the original village, offering a walkable, small-town atmosphere uncommon in Ottawa's suburbs. The area features heritage buildings like Green's Hotel and the Stittsville United Church, with structures dating back to the 1800s. This linear core developed when the village rebuilt around the Canadian Pacific Railway after the 1870 fire. Today, the path of the decommissioned railway running perpendicular to Main Street along Abbott Street East is part of the Trans-Canada Trail, with a trailhead at Village Square Park.

When did Stittsville become part of Ottawa?

Stittsville became part of the City of Ottawa in 2001. This occurred through the amalgamation that dissolved the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton. Stittsville was included as part of the former Goulbourn Township, which was absorbed into the new city. Since amalgamation, Stittsville has been governed as a ward within Ottawa, currently Ward 6, and receives municipal services from the City of Ottawa while maintaining its distinct village identity.

What are the major new developments happening in Stittsville?

Major developments in Stittsville as of 2026 include several residential and infrastructure projects. A zoning amendment was approved for a new subdivision with 347 homes on Hazeldean Road near Mantra Street. A revised proposal for 309 units on Flewellyn Road was also submitted. The large Fernbank district is under development, including a new district park. A new Catholic high school is under construction on Cope Drive. The city is planning the Stittsville Main Street north extension to improve transportation links for these growing areas.

Who is the city councillor for Stittsville?

The city councillor for Stittsville is Glen Gower. He has represented Stittsville Ward on Ottawa City Council since 2018. Councillor Gower shares information on local development applications, park upgrades, and community initiatives through his official website. Following the October 2026 municipal election, he was not on the ballot but remained able to serve as Stittsville's councillor until November 14, 2026, as per the transition period.

What recreational trails are available in Stittsville?

The most prominent recreational trail in Stittsville is the Trans-Canada Trail. This multi-use trail runs through the community along the former Canadian Pacific Railway corridor, perpendicular to Stittsville Main Street along Abbott Street East. The trail was created after the rail line was decommissioned in 1990. The community also has several new parks under construction or receiving upgrades as of 2026, such as Fernbank District Park, which contribute to the local trail and recreational network.

Sources and further reading

• Stittsville (Wikipedia)
• Stittsville Neighbourhood Guide (2026): Homes & Prices (ottawarealtyman.com)
• Development, Glen Gower | Councillor / Conseiller (glengower.ca)
• Stittsville Central, Local Stories, Events and Business (stittsvillecentral.ca)
• Stittsville Ottawa: Neighbourhood Guide 2026 (yourhomeinottawa.ca)

Checked by the Your Space Hamilton desk. Last updated 2026-10-25.