A car driven through the verandah of 242 Lyon Street in 1954 draws a crowd.
When it’s time to get out of town, Lyon Street can facilitate that.
Not only is it a one-way street heading south out of Ottawa’s downtown area, but the city’s bus terminal — located at the corner of Lyon and Catherine — can take you even further out of town. The two lanes run from Wellington Street to Fifth Avenue in the Glebe, with a jog in the road where it crosses the Queensway.
Lyon Street bears the name of one of Ottawa’s early mayors. Robert Lyon served in the position for just one year, 1867. He was also judge for Carleton County as well as a representative for Carleton in the Ontario legislature.
His older brother followed in his footsteps, also serving as mayor for one year in 1876.
The road didn’t always bear Lyon’s name. It was formerly Sally Street between Wellington and Gladstone Avenue and then Frank Street between Gladstone and Catherine.
The odd pedestrian can be seen lugging a suitcase to or from the bus station, and dog walkers often head to Dundonald Park that borders Lyon Street on its west side.
Pedestrians aren’t the only traffic along the road. The afternoon rush hour is Lyon Street’s busiest time. Traffic lights line the path out of downtown, but not as many as on Bank Street – just two streets over – making Lyon the fastest route out of the urban core.
A change of pace can be felt along the road. Highrises, hotels and traffic lights give way to the park, residential housing and quiet crossroads to the south, and the mood begins to lighten.