Are you new to Calgary or have you lived here for many years? Even if you’ve resided in the city your whole life, you may not know everything about its history. Understanding the background of the place you now call home can give you a deeper appreciation for it and help you feel more connected. Here are some fun and fascinating facts about our fair city.
It wasn’t always called Calgary
Would it surprise you to know that the city’s first official name was Fort Calgary? This was in 1876 when it was given the name in honour of a Scottish town called Calgary Bay. At the time, there was a large contingent of North-West Mounted Police, what the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were formerly called, who were kept busy due to an active trade in bootlegged whiskey. In 1884, the town of Calgary was incorporated and 10 years later it achieved city status.
Ranching in ‘Cowtown’
Cattle ranching has always been an industry mainstay for Calgary, nicknamed ‘Cowtown’. It started with the pioneers and, over the years, the city grew to have slaughterhouses, meat-processing plants and tanneries. In the late 1800s, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) linked the community first to eastern and central parts of the country and then to the west coast. The railway was critical for transporting cattle and other goods and was, therefore, one of the main influences in the population growth and increasing commerce.
Local railway companies
Right across Canada, the railway was responsible for opening up opportunities, facilitating migration and expanding various markets. The two main railway companies were the CPR and the Canadian National Railway. However, there also existed the Calgary and Edmonton Railway Company. It opened in 1891 to connect the remote settlement in Edmonton. Many railway towns were built along its line, including Red Deer and Wetaskiwin, before it was taken over by the CPR in 1912.
Railway’s role in farming
The CPR owned huge tracts of land in the Calgary area. With funds from investors, the railway company took on a significant role in developing the land for agricultural purposes. At the beginning of the 20th century, investors supported irrigation methods to stave off drought and attract many into the farming business.
International claim to fame
Calgary is known around the world for several reasons. The Calgary Stampede is what immediately comes to mind for anyone who travels. Impressively, this event has been going steady since 1912. In 2022, 1.2 million people attended the stampede and this is actually the current population of the city itself. Calgary’s other claim to fame is its booming petroleum industry. The first oil refiner was opened in 1923, a few years after the discovery of crude oil. This has allowed the city’s economy to diversity with a host of related industries.
Winter Olympics host
More recent history saw Calgary host the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. The infrastructure that was built for this international event continues to draw tourists from around the globe who want to enjoy such a world-class facility. This is yet another reason why holiday goers continue to flock to the Calgary area.
As you can see, our city has had a very rich and varied history! It’s a place I’m happy to call home and where I’ve built my career.
