The
Ottawa River timber trade, also known as the
Ottawa Valley timber trade or
Ottawa River lumber trade, was the nineteenth century production of wood products by
Canada on areas of the
Ottawa River destined for
British and
American markets. It was the major industry of the historical colonies of
Upper Canada and
Lower Canada and it created an entrepreneur known as a lumber baron. The trade in squared timber and later sawed
lumber led to population growth and prosperity to communities in the
Ottawa Valley, especially the city of
Bytown (now
Ottawa, the capital of Canada). The product was chiefly
red and
white pine. The industry lasted until around 1900 as both markets and supplies decreased.