Explore Calgary in 1912 through Rare Historical Pictures!

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the rich history of Calgary, Alberta, as we journey together to the year 1912. This pivotal era saw significant developments and transformations that laid the foundation for the vibrant city we know today.

The Birth of Calgary

Calgary's story began long before 1912, with the establishment of Fort Calgary in 1875, but the year 1912 marked a turning point in its growth. The city experienced an economic boom due to the expansion of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the discovery of oil in nearby Turner Valley. This newfound prosperity attracted thousands of settlers and investors, propelling Calgary into a period of rapid urbanization and cultural diversity.

Calgary in 1912: A History in Pictures

by Ian Mutch (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6669 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	34 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Snapshot of Daily Life

Through fascinating historical pictures, we can catch a glimpse of how Calgarians lived, worked, and played in 1912. People dressed in stylish attire, rode horses along the bustling streets, and gathered in the city's numerous saloons and social clubs. The iconic Calgary Stampede was already gaining popularity, showcasing thrilling rodeo events and attracting visitors from far and wide.

Architectural Marvels

Calgary's skyline in 1912 displayed a unique blend of architectural styles, reflecting its rapid growth and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The city boasted a mix of Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Nouveau buildings, with structures such as the Calgary City Hall, the Palliser Hotel, and the iconic Calgary Tower. These landmarks remind us of the city's enduring heritage and its embrace of progress.

Transportation and Infrastructure

As the city expanded, Calgary developed an intricate transportation network, integral to its bustling economy. Streetcars and carriages were essential for commuting, while the Canadian Pacific Railway served as a lifeline connecting Calgary to other major cities across the country. The images from 1912 reveal a city alive with movement, as residents navigated the streets and railways that linked them to the wider world.

Major Events and Milestones

Calgary in 1912 witnessed important events that shaped its future. The opening of the Stampede Corral, now known as the iconic Stampede Park, provided a venue for thrilling rodeo competitions, exhibitions, and entertainment. The establishment of the University of Calgary laid the groundwork for the city's development as an educational hub. In addition, the Calgary Public Library, founded in 1912, became a gateway to knowledge and a symbol of the city's commitment to learning.

Legacy and Preservation

Although Calgary has evolved significantly since 1912, the city takes pride in preserving its historical landmarks and promoting cultural heritage. Efforts have been made to maintain and restore iconic buildings, ensuring that present and future generations can appreciate their architectural significance. Museums, archives, and historical societies play a vital role in safeguarding Calgary's past, inviting visitors to explore its captivating history.

Rediscovering Calgary's Roots

Rediscovering Calgary in 1912 allows us to appreciate the remarkable journey this city has undertaken. It reminds us of the determination and resilience of its early inhabitants, who laid the groundwork for the vibrant metropolis we know today. Through these captivating images and stories, we are transported to a bygone era, gaining a deeper understanding of the history that continues to shape Calgary's identity.

So, join us on this virtual time-traveling adventure and immerse yourself in Calgary's captivating history through rare pictures from 1912.

Calgary in 1912: A History in Pictures

by Ian Mutch (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6669 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	34 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

“Calgary in 1912: A History in Pictures” contains old images of landmarks in the city of Calgary, Alberta around 1912. At the time Calgary was still a relatively small town. Today Calgary is the third most populous municipality in Canada, with a population of about 1.1 million. It has Canada’s fifth most populous greater urban area, behind Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa-Gatineau. It is the biggest city in the province of Alberta, edging out slightly less populous provincial capital of Edmonton.

In the 1970s Calgary enjoyed an economic boom, thanks to the Arab Oil Embargo that drove up oil prices and encouraged the United States and Canada to turn to the extensive, but expensive-to-exploit, oil reserves of western Canada. The economic good times fizzled out with lower oil prices in the 1980s, but oil-based wealth grew again as prices rose in the 2000s. The latest slump in oil prices has adversely affected Calgary and Alberta, but the city is surviving.

Calgary’s traditional economic mainstay wasn’t oil or gas. It was agriculture, especially cattle ranching. The city’s role as a major hub for the Canada Pacific Railway (CPR) made it the go-to destination for farmers and cattle ranchers from the surrounding countryside to sell their produce. Businessmen like Calgary’s Patrick Burns made their fortunes packing meat in Calgary and other western towns for shipment to the markets in the east.

What is now Calgary was frequented for thousands of years by various First Nations groups. The modern city, however, was founded in the 1870s as a post of the North-West Mounted Police (the predecessor of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or RCMP, also known as the Mounties) who were trying to stop illegal activity in what was then a lawless frontier region in the North West Territory. In 1875 Mounties built a base at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers called the Elbow, Bow Fort or Fort Brisebois. In 1876 the name was changed to Fort Calgary, after a place on the Isle of Mull in Scotland.

The fort gave its name to the settlement that grew up around it. The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s made it easier and faster for settlers to come to the Calgary area, and the town’s population began to grow. Cattle ranchers obtained cheap land around the city and Calgary became a major meatpacking and meat export hub.

In 1912 World War I hadn’t begun yet. Alberta had only become a province about 7 years earlier, in 1905. At the time English-speaking Canadian still identified more strongly with the British Empire than they did with Canada. Great Britain was still responsible for Canada’s foreign affairs and defence, although the Canadian parliament had control over domestic policy. It was after World War I that Canada began to assert complete independence in foreign affairs and defence.