This is the fifth post in my series on exploring the names of some of Calgary’s most popular landmarks. Previous installments included Calgary’s major roads and trails, several of Calgary’s bridges, the popular parks and green spaces, and a small sample of our public schools. This post will examine several of Calgary’s landmarks that didn’t fit nicely into the previous categories. Some of the following individuals have been recognized in previous posts, but the majority are new to this series.
Calgary has many landmarks that make it identifiable. Some of these structures are not named after anyone, such as the Calgary Tower, or they’ve been named after a sponsoring corporation, like the Scotiabank Saddledome. Others still have names that are rooted in First Nation culture, such as the Mewata Armoury, which is a Cree word meaning ‘O Be Joyful’. Yet there are many different landmarks that get their names from certain individuals or families that helped create them, leaving a lasting legacy on their respective communities.
Below is a collection of fifteen landmarks that bear the names of historic individuals that were instrumental in the development of this great city. When you start digging into the names of certain places or buildings, you never know what you might find. I hope you enjoy reading this post as much as I did in piecing it together. In the process of reading I hope you learn something new about our city, I know I sure did.
Frank McMahon (extreme left) and George McMahon (extreme right) were brothers who donated the money to build the original McMahon Stadium.Guy Weadick was the founder of the Calgary Stampede back in 1912. Weadickville, a recreation of a Calgary street from 1912 that is located on the Stampede Grounds is named in his honour.Jack Leslie was the mayor of Calgary from 1965-1969, the Jack and Jean Leslie RiverWalk is named in their honour.Sheldon Chumir was a lawyer and politician here in Alberta. The Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre is named after him.Captain Richard Burton Deane was Fort Calgary’s last serving NWMP Superintendent. Deane House is named in his honour.The Livingston House & Barn at Heritage Park are named for Sam Livingston an early pioneer in the Calgary area.Sir James Alexander Lougheed was a prominent businessman and politician from Alberta who built the mansion, Lougheed House, in 1891 for his wife and their two sons.The Peter Lougheed Hospital was named in honour of Alberta’s tenth Premiere.The Big Four Building on the Stampede Grounds is named for four wealthy Alberta cattleman, Pat Burns, George Lane, A.J. McLean and A.E. Cross. The Prince of Wales is standing in the centre of this photo.Jacob Bell Barron was a businessman and lawyer who commissioned the construction of the Barron Building in downtown Calgary.William Roper Hull was a prominent rancher and businessman in the Calgary area. The William Roper Hull Ranche House in Fish Creek Park is named after him.The Harry Hays Building was named for the Canadian politician and Cabinet Minister of the same name.Nellie McClung House is named after the women’s rights activist, author, and politician.The Hart House, sometimes known as the Hart Mansion, is named after Stu Hart, the famous professional wrestler and founder of Stampede WrestlingPatrick Burns was a rancher, meat packer, and businessman before becoming a Canadian Senator. The Burns Building, Burns Manor, and Senator Patrick Burns School are all named after him.
The photos above were collected from the Glenbow Archives. Additional information can be found for each photograph on the Glenbow website by searching the identification number that is printed on each photo. There is also the option to purchase a high-resolution copy. Stay tuned for additional posts featuring historical photos from across Alberta. We’d love to know what you think in the comment section below.
Tyler is originally from Saskatchewan, and yes he cheers for the Roughriders, but don’t hold that against him as Calgary has been his home for the past eight years. He is a teacher working at a wilderness-
based treatment program for youth working to overcome addiction. Tyler is also a volunteer with the GOT Parks initiative, which aims at reconnecting Canada’s youth with our national, provincial, and territorial parks. During his time away from work, Tyler enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and snowboarding, team sports, travelling, photography, spending time with good friends, and being at home with his wife and German Shepherd, Rome.
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