Jarvis House
65 Stewart Street
Written by Bytown Museum
on
03/Dec/2009
This eclectic Victorian house belonged to famed Ottawa photographer Samuel J. Jarvis. Not to be confused with his uncle (also a photographer named Samuel Jarvis), Samuel J. Jarvis opened a studio with partner Alfred Pittaway on Sparks Street in 1882, while the two were still teenagers.
Though the two split up and competed for business for a time, the entrepreneurial pair eventually returned to work together on everything from formal portraits and early photojournalism to a supply shop and developing services. They even hired an artist to paint studio backdrops in order to create more exotic and elaborate sets for their clients.
Other renowned early-Ottawa photographers include William Topley and Alvira Lockwood, to say nothing of the Karsh brothers of the 20th century.
Were any of your old family photographs taken by one of Ottawa's first famous photographers? Share them with us!
