a monument to a lost opportunity

This artwork states "this land was in my trust.I had one year to build a tiny home to prove my sincerity and care for this place. I built nothing and lost it forever." J. Doe 1826

These words refer to a fictional opportunity lost by citing terms from the land grants to soldiers/settlers at the time of Ottawa's early British development. It was necessary to erect a structure of about the same size as this monument within a year of taking possession if you wished to retain/obtain a lasting title to the land. At the time this monument was installed this end of Rideau Street did not look too good - there were lots that had been vacant for a very long time. It is much improved today.

see the crosswalks