Welcome to the Green Valley Restaurant Tourist Court! Well it used to be here, until it burned down back in the early 2000's. I have no memories attached to this place, but an interesting story nonetheless. I'll keep it relatively short, but you can read more at ottawarewind.com 'Past The Green Valley'.
Accidental Location, Location, Location.
In 1933 Waldorf Stewart moved to a remote wooded property on old Prescott Highway (Prince of Wales), where he built a play cabin for his daughter next to his new home. The cabin was soon visited by uninvited guests who were tourists passing by thinking it was a Motor Court cabin rental. Stewart took this opportunity and built a few more cabins for travellers heading into the Nation's Capital.
In 1947 Stewart expanded his tourism business by expanding to 24 cabins and adding The Green Valley Restaurant. A modest diner serving breakfast and evening dinners for his cabin renters. Initially Stewart would be open during the summer tourist season, but the restaurant gained the reputation for fine quality foods.
The restaurant was expanded 3 times and included a gift shop the 'Then and Now Shop' and served kids the 'Mickey Mouse' sundaes for dessert. In 1956 Stewart added 'The Walnut Room', a special dining area with rich walnut panelling and thick carpeting and had 65 employees.
In 1967 Waldorf Stewart passed away. The restaurant remained in the family until they sold it in 1995. Under new owners, new restaurants opening nearby (Lone Star Texas Grill), renamed to Gilmour's in 2002 and other factors, a once top tier restaurant is now reduced to an abandoned parking lot. On the opposite side of this parking lot, there is a row of stones lined. I like to believe that these are the same stones Waldorf Stewart used to line his entrance for his cabin rentals.