The Overbrook Community Association acknowledges that we live, work and gather on unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory. We are committed to reconciliation efforts. 

L’Association communautaire d’Overbrook reconnait que nous travaillons, nous vivons et nous nous rassemblons sur un territoire non cédé de la nation algonquine Anishinabe. Nous nous engageons à participer aux efforts de réconciliation.

1922: Overbrook is recognized as a community

Originally part of Gloucester Township, Overbrook’s name appears on Township maps as early as 1879. Residential development in the area expanded in the years after a plan of subdivision was filed in 1911. Among early streets were those named after the Royal Family, King George, Queen Mary and Prince Albert.

By 1922, active residents were lobbying the Carleton County Council to make Overbrook a “police village”, which would give it municipal status separate from the Township of Gloucester, and in August of that year, the Council passed the necessary bylaw. Governed by a board of three trustees who were elected annually, the change gave Overbrook more voice and responsibility in its own development and strengthened its growing identity as a community.

While Overbrook was annexed by the City of Ottawa in 1950, our sense of community has continued.

(Sources: Gloucester Historical Society and The Ottawa Citizen.)

2022: Celebrating our centennial

We have much to celebrate! Read on for stories from Overbrook Now and Overbrook Then and if you have a story or photos to add, contact us at info@overbrook.ca.

Overbrook Now

The Overbrook Show

Manock Lual grew up in Overbrook from the age of 12 and is making a difference to young people here and in the wider community.  Now in his 30s, through his organization Prezdential, Manock coaches basketball and leads many other activities to inspire and help young people build skills and confidence to overcome racism and other barriers and to pursue their talents and dreams. One of his initiatives early in the pandemic was a video project, Quarantine Care, to engage youth to express self love through self care and artistic expression. The concept of Quarantine Care grew into The Overbrook Show in which, in the recently released season two, Manock and guests tell authentic stories from Ottawa neighbourhoods demonstrating the power of transformation through sports, arts, and mentorship. You can watch the 4 episodes of the second season of The Overbrook Show at the links below.

Trailer ~ Episode 1: Controlling Chaos  ~ Episode 2: Dreams & Nightmares ~ Episode 3: Trust the Process ~ Episode 4: From A to Z

Overbrook Then

Rideau Tennis and Squash Club

This book was published by the old Rideau Tennis and Squash Club in 1987 and was loaned to the Overbrook Community Association by the Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame. With the assistance of a City of Ottawa Heritage Funding Program Grant, we have been able to digitize it. The book offers a glimpse into this historic property that has been part of the neighbourhood since 1912 along with stories of famous visitors, important events and interesting people. You can read it by clicking on the cover.

Sketches of My Overbrook by Jim Burton

In February 2015, Jim Burton sent his 21-page Sketches of My Overbrook to then OCA President Rawlson King. Excerpts of his recollections were published in eight issues of Nouvelles d‘Overbrook News between June 2015 and September 2017. Click on the links below to read stories of Jim’s childhood in Overbrook in the 1930s and 1940s.

Part One; Finding a Home in Overbrook in 1933 ~ Part Two: School Days in the 1930s ~ Part Three: A Hockey Rink and a Foot Bridge ~ Part Four: Russell Road in the 1930s and 1940s ~ Part Five: Adventures of Overbrook Teens in the 1930s ~ Part Six: Community Life in the 1930s ~ Part Seven: Springtime in Overbrook ~ Part Eight: Lands and Roads

Gloucester Historical Society (GHS)

The Gloucester Historical Society website offers historical details about the land and communities bordering the Ottawa River east of the Rideau River to the Cumberland Boundary and south to Osgoode Township, which at one time comprised Gloucester Township. Documents include a growing list of street names and their origins – including many in Overbrook – and a recent presentation that tells the story behind certain street names, the first of which is Donald St.