171 Waverley

"The Golden Triangle" is a newer name for an older neighbourhood. Robert Smythe dates the usage to the early 1970s (see his "Deep Cut") — reflecting a greater local pride (and price) in that part of Centretown bounded by Elgin Street and the Canal — this following a flurry of renewal activity in the 1960s.

 Claiming its share of older, plus-size residences, the Triangle's real charm lies with its many more modest homes, like the one in the picture above. Prim and balanced, like a cat with her tail wrapped around her feet, 171 Waverley's dictum could well be "Let nothing stick out" — even the paired dormers can't be seen from where we stand. Notice the little Palladian-style window in the gable (the earmark of so many McMansions these days.)

 #171 dates from some time between 1901 and 1909. Might '01 describes the lot as "vacant" while Goad 1902-'12 shows the house (and its neighbours) fully built. Might 1909 lists "Heins Donald, mus tchr."

 Mr. Heins may well have been 171's first occupant. Born in England, he settled here in 1902 while in his mid-twenties. Classically trained, he not only taught...  as befitted a musician of his day, Heins sang and played piano (and the organ and the violin.) He also composed. Dismayed by Ottawa's underexposure to classical music, Heins quickly established our city's first professional orchestra, filling a cultural void and providing work for local musicians — at something other than teaching! You can read more about Donald Heins here.