The Story of Calgary

by fred-stenson

Calgary is one of Canada's most distinctive metropolises, known as a boom
town where fortunes are made and lost, an oil city, a cosmopolitan center, home of the
world-famous Stampede, an Olympic city, and much more. The Story of Calgary
is a concise, panoramic history that explores the city's major themes, influences, and
achievements.
Beginning with a look at the prehistoric era when the region's unique prairie, foothill,
and mountain geography evolved, The Story of Calgary goes on to describe the
aboriginal presence in the area and the founding of the first North-West Mounted Police
post, eventually named Fort Calgary, in 1875. Read about Calgary as a center for the
cattle industry, the influence of the railways on the city's prosperity, the founding of
the Stampede in 1912, the effects of the two world wars and the Depression, and the
tremendous impact of the oil industry on Calgary's development.
The character of the city is here its reputation as a brash champion of
entrepreneurial initiative, its lively western ambience, the unique flavour of Alberta
politics that has sometimes led to clashes with Ottawa and the East, and the exceptional
spirit of volunteerism that has made so many events from the Stampede to the Olympics so
successful. Meet the colourful personalities in Calgary's history, including
promoter Guy Weadick, founder of the Stampede, outspoken newspaperman Bob Edwards,
suffragist Nellie McClung, cattle king Pat Burns, former premier Peter Lougheed, and
Calgary's first Alberta-born mayor, Don Mackay, who promoted the tradition of giving white
cowboy hats to visiting dignitaries.
The Story of Calgary is enlivened with more than forty archival photographs and a
colour section of contemporary images of the city.

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Dr. Malcolm]

A great book that tells the story of Calgary, Alberta