Vintage Photographs of Bragg Creek

Bragg Creek is a quaint community just west of Calgary that has become a hub for a multitude of recreational opportunities. Although it has always been a desired destination for those escaping big city life, it retains much of the charm and character from its past. The hamlet is named after two brothers, Albert Warren Bragg and John Thomas Bragg, who travelled west from Collingwood, Nova Scotia with dreams of living the ranching lifestyle. Their first cabin was erected next to a small stream, which came to be called Bragg Creek in their honour. Although, not long after settling in the area, Albert moved to Gleichen and John returned home, their surname is still attached to this picturesque community in Alberta’s foothills.

Sarcee encampment, Bragg Creek, Alberta, 1900

For additional information about the history of this community, please see the Bragg Creek Historical Society and the Visit Bragg Creek websites. For more historical photos of the surrounding area, please see my previous post, Vintage Photographs of Kananaskis Through the Years.

Sarcee woman butchering blackleg cattle at the ranch of E. G. May, Alberta, 1900
One of the first bridges across the Elbow River at Bragg Creek, Alberta, 1919
Signal Hill #2, early oil well between Bragg Creek and Jumping Pound Creek, Alberta, 1920-1925
Town stores, Alberta, 1923
Prospecting for land, Alberta, 1906
Bragg Creek Stampede, Alberta, 1923
Camping, Alberta, 1922
Picnic at J. Fullerton farm, Alberta, 1915
British Alberta Oil well #1 [Mowbray-Berkeley well], Alberta, 1914-1915
Bragg Creek
The “Alberta Sphinx”, Alberta, 1930s
Bragg Creek
Cabins along the creek, Alberta, 1932
Bragg Creek
First youth hostel in North America, Bragg Creek, Alberta, 1933
Bragg Creek
Hikers on road, Alberta, 1940
Bragg Creek
Youth hostel, Alberta, 1940s
Bragg Creek
Donkey on Tom Fullerton ranch, Alberta, 1940s
Bragg Creek
Paladium dance hall, Alberta, 1929
Bragg Creek
Jake Fullerton with horse team and sleigh, Alberta, 1939
Bragg Creek
Doctor John Nisbet Gunn displaying fish he caught, Alberta, 1935
Bragg Creek
31st St. Mark’s Church Boy Scout troop camping, Alberta, 1932
Bragg Creek
Kamp Kumfort, Alberta. Woman on horseback in front of log cabin, 1922. Object #A14637
Bragg Creek
Man building a fence, Alberta, 1921. Object #A14640

The photos above were collected from the Glenbow Archives and the Provincial Archives of Alberta. If you’re interested, additional information can be found for each photograph on the Glenbow website by searching the identification number that is printed on the photo. There is also the option to purchase a high resolution copy. If you search the object number that can be found in the photo captions, you will find additional information about the photographs on the Provincial Archives website. Stay tuned for additional posts featuring historical photos from across Alberta. We’d love to know what you think in the comment section below.

About Tyler Dixon 228 Articles
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.