City of Calgary archival records gallery
A sampling of municipal activities shown through records held at The City of Calgary Archives. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list, but to provide a sense of the many types of activities or events that take place within municipal government.
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The Calgary area, where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, is a place of confluence where the sharing of ideas and opportunities naturally come together. Indigenous peoples have their own names for this area that have been in use long before Scottish settlers named this place Calgary. The Métis call the Calgary area Otos-kwunee.[1] In the Blackfoot language, they call this place, Moh-kins-tsis.[2] The Stoney Nakoda Nation refer to the Calgary area as Wicispa Oyade[3] and the people of the Tsuut’ina nation call this area Guts-ists-i.[4]
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that the City of Calgary was built on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. This includes: the Blackfoot Confederacy, made up of the Siksika (Seeg-see-kah), Piikani (Pee-gah-nee), and Kainai (G-ai-nah) First Nations. This is also the traditional territory of the Îethka Nakoda Wîcastabi[5] First Nations, comprised of the Chiniki (Chin-ick-ee), Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations; and the Tsuut’ina (Soot-tenna) First Nation. The city of Calgary is also homeland to the historic Northwest Métis and to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.[6] We acknowledge all Indigenous urban Calgarians who have made Calgary their home.
1875 - The North West Mounted Police establish a fort at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. Originally named Fort Brisbois, it was renamed Fort Calgary in 1876 after Calgary Bay on the Isle of Mull, Scotland.
Guard room at the North West Mounted Police Barracks, ca. 1914
City of Calgary Archives # CalA 910530038
1884 - The Town of Calgary is incorporated on Nov. 7, 1884, with a population of 506. The first Council meeting takes place on Dec. 4, 1884, at Boynton Hall. George Murdoch is elected as the first Mayor of the Town of Calgary.
Officials of the Town of Calgary, 1886City of Calgary Archives #CalA PP-01192
1885 - Calgary’s first town hall, which includes the jail, market, and pound, is built.
Town Hall, 702 - 2nd Street (Macleod Trail) SE
Glenbow Archives NA-12561
1887 -The first fire hall is completed in May. The Calgary Electric Lighting Company Limited opens the first electrical power generating plant in Calgary.
1893 - The City of Calgary receives the title certificate for land that was set aside in 1885 by the Federal Government for park purposes. The land was developed into Central Park.
CalA 87-001-001
1894 - The City of Calgary is incorporated on Jan. 1 with a population of 3,900.
No. 33 of 1893 – An Ordinance to Incorporate “The City of Calgary”
1904 - City Council instructs the City Engineer to purchase numbered signs for street corners. All houses are now required to have a house number.
Harrison & Ponton’s Map of the City of Calgary, Province of Alberta, 1912City of Calgary Archives #Moo1092
The City of Calgary Archives, #CalA910726001
1911 - City Hall opens for business on Jan. 2.
Working Drawing of New City Hall – Front Elevation, 1907
City of Calgary Archives # M001419
1912 - Central Park Library (now Memorial Park Library) opens to the public on Jan. 2.
Calgary Public Library
City of Calgary Archives # 2010-013-001b
1915 -Shaganappi Point Golf Course, Calgary’s first municipal golf course, opens for play. Golf rules approved by Executive of the Calgary Municipal Golf Club April 2, 1916.
Parks and Recreation Department fonds, Series III, Box 63, Folder “(Municipal) Shaganappi Golf Course, administration and correspondence 1916.”
1917 - Annie Gale, Calgary’s first female alderman, is elected. While serving as an Alderman, Mrs. Gale was a member of the Legislative, Health, Receptions Committee; the Publicity, Railways and New Industries Committee; and the Market Advisory Committee. She was active in reforming prison conditions in the City police cells, and in establishing municipally-owned hospitals.
Hannah (Annie) Elizabeth Rolinson Gale, ca. 1917
City of Calgary Archives #CalA 2017-021
1929 -The Calgary Zoological Society is incorporated and Tom Baines, Curator, Calgary Zoo is hired.
Tom Baines with eagle, Calgary Zoo, 1930
City of Calgary Archives #CalA 95-022-010
1933 - The Glenmore Dam, reservoir and water treatment plant open. Prior to its completion, Calgarians endured low water pressure in winter, muddy water in the spring, and tepid water in the summer months.
Glenmore Dam, 1933-1943
City of Calgary Archives #CalA A83-12
1940 - The first municipal swimming pool opens to the public in Mewata Park (now Cowboys Park).
Mewata Municipal Swimming Pool, 1950
City of Calgary Archives, #CalA CR-92-029-267
1948 - The first parking meters are installed downtown.
Five top meter housing units, 1960
City of Calgary Archives, #CalA PN-000809
Heritage Park Steam Train, 1964
City of Calgary Archives, #CalA 87-029-007
1967 - The Centennial Planetarium is built to commemorate Canada’s 100 Anniversary of Confederation. (It is now the home of Contemporary Calgary, a collaboration of visual arts partners.)
Sundial, Centennial Planetarium, ca. 1968
City of Calgary Archives #CalA CR92-032-175
1977 - The Devonian Gardens opens on the fourth floor of 317 – Seventh Ave. S.W.
Devonian Gardens, Calgary, Alberta
City of Calgary Archives #CalA CR-92-049-037
1978 - The Fort Calgary Interpretive Centre opens to the public with a dedication ceremony on May 18.
City of Calgary Archives – CalA CR90-001f14-1#66.
1981 - The City of Calgary’s new Light Rapid Transit system (LRT) goes into service. Mayor Ralph Klein drives the CTrain on its inaugural ride.
Mayor Ralph Klein at the Opening Ceremony for Calgary's
Light Rapid Transit system (LRT), 1981
City of Calgary Archives, #CalA CR90-001f8-17-32
1982 - Construction of Deerfoot Trail is completed.
City of Calgary Archives – Bay 75, Shelf 7, Box 934, File 7040
1983 - The Family Leisure Centre and the Village Square Leisure Centre open in January.
1985 - The Municipal Building officially opens in October.
Calgary Municipal Building, Night, September 3, 1987
City of Calgary Archives, OCO Photos, Box 11, 120.06.0070
1988 - Calgary hosts the XV Olympic Winter Games, February 13-28. The Games are a huge success, with much of the credit going to the thousands of volunteers.
Opening Ceremonies, Release of Balloons, February 13, 1988
City of Calgary Archives, #CalA 55-19 MR46-27A
1994 - Calgary celebrates its centennial of incorporation as a city.
1994 Centennial Logo
2000 - The Centre Street Bridge renovation is complete.
A snowy north-facing lion overseeing the Centre
Street Bridge renovation, January 21, 2000.
Centre Street Bridge Web Page, IM0102CE, S Drive, Jan 21-4.