Bytown drew its name from the Colonel of the Engineers, John By who was instrumental in the construction of the Rideau Canal. The town was located near the confluence of the Rideau River and the Ottawa River, where a step lock was constructed to surmount the steep bank of the Ottawa River. Upon incorporation of the municipality in 1855 it was given the name Ottawa. Queen Victoria was asked to settle a dispute between Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City, Kingston and Ottawa as to which would become the capital of the united colonies of Upper Canada and Lower Canada. On December 31, 1857 she appointed Ottawa to be the capital. Upon Confederation of the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867 it became the National Capital of the new nation. Today, the area of the city that contains the farmers market is designated and known as the By Ward Market in Lower Town.
