Bytown is the former name of
Ottawa,
Canada's capital city. It was founded on September 26, 1826, incorporated as a town on January 1, 1850, and superseded by the incorporation of the City of Ottawa on January 1, 1855. The founding was marked by a sod turning, and a letter from Governor General
Dalhousie which authorized Lieutenant Colonel
John By to divide up the town into lots. Bytown came about as a result of the construction of the
Rideau Canal and grew largely due to the
Ottawa River timber trade. Bytown's first mayor was
John Scott, elected in 1847.