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Ottawa Architecture: Buildings in Hintonburg/Mechanicsville: A Historical Building Exhibit

Fig. 21. The_Ottawa_Journal_1902_05_26_Page_3.jpg

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The Man Behind the Block
Edward C. Jones, the namesake and builder of Jones Block, was more than a property developer; he was a foundational figure in the growth and transformation of Hintonburg at the turn of the 20th century. His personal and professional story intersects directly with the history of Ottawa’s west-end urban expansion, the rise of the mixed-use commercial block, and the everyday life of a community in flux. Born around 1859, E.C. Jones most likely belonged to a well-known and influential Ontario family. His extended relatives included parliamentarians, judiciary figures, and prominent contractors, including Ralph Jones—likely his uncle—who helped build the Departmental Buildings in Ottawa and was involved in early Canadian rail infrastructure.

Edward inherited not just a family name but also the ambition and practical skills of builders and entrepreneurs. E.C. Jones began appearing in Ottawa’s historical record in the 1890s. By 1896, he was contesting municipal tax assessments on Hintonburg properties and running a planing mill on Fourth Avenue, which unfortunately suffered fire damage in 1897. That same year, he began constructing a three-storey brick store at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Richmond Road—what would become known as Jones Block. The original Jones Block was a mixed-use building that quickly became integral to the village’s commercial life. Unfortunately, the building was destroyed in a fire in May 1902, while Jones was abroad in England. The fire caused over $10,000 in damages, displacing families and destroying multiple businesses. However, Jones responded not with retreat, but with resilience and reinvestment. By October of that same year, he had commissioned local contractor D. McArthur to rebuild the block on a grander and more elaborate scale. The new Jones Block was described in 1903 as “the finest commercial block in the municipality.”
More than just a builder, Jones was also an engaged civic participant. He regularly appeared in city council proceedings, requesting sidewalk improvements in front of his building, applying for water service connections, and defending the licensing rights of his tenants. In 1906, he was appointed Hintonburg’s official tax assessor, demonstrating his respected role in local governance. During elections, he served as a returning officer for Ottawa West (11B), operating from Fire Station 7th Avenue. Notably, Jones understood the social role of property. In 1908, he publicly defended a tenant’s application for a pool room license, arguing that such spaces gave youth a lawful outlet for leisure and discouraging them from "loitering on street corners." His support, even in the face of community controversy, suggests a pragmatic, people-centered approach to urban management.

E.C. Jones lived nearby at 19 Spadina Avenue with his wife, Mary C. Jones, until his death on September 8, 1924. A memoriam published in 1925 by his widow highlights his importance not only to his family but also to the Hintonburgneighbourhood. Jones' impact lives on through the building that bore his name. Jones Block was more than brick and mortar—it was a reflection of E.C. Jones’ vision for a self-sustaining, community-oriented village. His investment in quality materials, tenant support, and civic infrastructure helped shape the social and architectural legacy of Hintonburg. In many ways, to trace the story of Jones Block is to trace the story of E.C. Jones: a story of resilience, reinvention, and dedication to place.