480 Marlborough Avenue

Ottawa Citizen, April 9 1910

480 Marlborough wasn't exactly "next to" Strathcona Park, it was a block away. But that block, between Marlborough Avenue and Range Road, was sparsely built upon and one could have manged a lovely view of the then recently-built park from the second or third storey balcony. It was likely still close enough to suffer the summer onslaught of mosquitoes that bred in the ornamental ponds — those water-features were replaced with a more useful wading pool in the 1940s.

The house still stands, easy to spot with it's gambrel roof, though partly hidden behind a tree. The porch uprights and balconies have been replaced with metal. The intricate finish on the gables remains, but don't go looking for this house at #148 — it's since been renumbered 88 Marlborough, and divided into three apartments. I'm sure it rents out to students.

Consulting the Might Directories, the 1912 volume suggests that the house's first occupant was Mr. Arthur Dechene, a clerk with the Department of Railways and Canals. He served as Commodore of the Ottawa Power Boat Association. Mr. Dechene was the brother of Mr. Aime M. Dechene, MP for Montmagny, Québec. Mrs. Dechene was active in the I.O.D.E., God bless her.