Calgary

Etymology and Indigenous Significance

The city's name originates from Calgary Castle on the Isle of Mull in Scotland, suggested in 1876 by North-West Mounted Police Commissioner Colonel James Macleod. For the Indigenous peoples of Treaty 7, the area is historically known by names referring to the 'elbow', describing the sharp bend of the rivers. In the Blackfoot language, it is called Mohkínstsis akápiyoyis, meaning 'elbow many houses', often shortened to Mohkínstsis. The Nakoda (Stoney) name is Wîchîspa Oyade, the Tsuutʼina name is Guts’ists’i, and in Cree it is known as otôskwanihk, all translating to 'at the elbow'. These names reflect the area's defining geography and its long history of Indigenous habitation by the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), îyârhe Nakoda, Tsuutʼina peoples and the Métis. In 2017, the Stoney Nakoda applied to the Government of Alberta to rename the city Wichispa Oyade, though this was challenged by the Piikani Blackfoot, highlighting ongoing dialogues around recognition and reconciliation.

Early History and Settlement

The Calgary area shows evidence of human presence dating back at least 11,000 years. The first recorded European visitor was the Hudson's Bay Company cartographer David Thompson, who wintered with a band of the Piikani Nation along the Bow River in 1787. Permanent European settlement began with John Glenn in 1873. In the fall of 1875, the North-West Mounted Police established a post to curb American whisky trade, led by Inspector Éphrem-A. Brisebois and fifty Mounties from Fort Macleod. The I. G. Baker Company of Montana was contracted to build the fort and a log store. The fort was initially christened Fort Brisebois by its commander, but this was overruled by his superiors Colonel James Macleod and Major Acheson Irvine. Colonel Macleod's suggested name, Calgary, was officially adopted in the spring of 1876 after approval from the Minister of Justice, Edward Blake. The signing of Treaty 7 in 1877 saw First Nations cede title to the land around the fort.

The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway on August 15, 1883, was a major event, redirecting the town's core to the railway's section of land and spurring rapid growth. The CPR subdivided the land and sold lots for $350 to $450, and pioneer Felix McHugh constructed the first private building on the new site. The first edition of the Calgary Herald was published on August 31, 1883, under the title 'The Calgary Herald, Mining and Ranche Advocate and General Advertiser' by Andrew M. Armour and Thomas B. Braden, as a weekly paper with a $1 annual subscription. The community quickly organized local governance. A civic committee of seven members was elected in January 1884 after a public meeting called by James Reilly, who circulated 200 handbills. This committee, led by top vote-getter Major James Walker, successfully secured an increase in a bridge grant from $300 to $1,000 from Lieutenant Governor Edgar Dewdney and advocated for a school and town incorporation.

The drive for local representation and services moved quickly in the new settlement of Calgary. In early 1884, a public meeting was held to advocate for a civic committee to watch over public interests. A committee of seven members was elected, with Major James Walker receiving the most votes. This committee successfully lobbied for a school, a bridge grant, and Calgary's incorporation as a town. Shortly after, in June 1884, James Davidson Geddes was elected as Calgary's representative on the Council of the North-West Territories.

• June 28, 1884: James Davidson Geddes was elected as the Calgary electoral district representative on the 1st Council of the North-West Territories.
• February 18, 1884: The first private school opened for twelve children, led by teacher John William Costello after the Citizen's Committee raised $125.
• March 2, 1885: The Calgary Protestant Public School District No. 19 was formally created by the Legislature following a petition by James Walker.
• November 27, 1884: Lieutenant Governor Dewdney proclaimed the incorporation of The Town of Calgary.
• December 3, 1884: George Murdoch was elected first mayor with 202 votes against E. Redpath's 16, and four councillors were elected.
• Early 1885: The Town Council passed By-law Eleven, creating the position of Chief Constable, first held by John Ingram, who was paid $60 per month and received half of liquor fines.

Crisis, Fire, and Rebuilding

The young town faced significant political and physical turmoil in 1885 and 1886. Stipendiary Magistrate Jeremiah Travis, a temperance advocate, clashed with the town's establishment. He sentenced Councillor Simon John Clarke to six months hard labour for chasing a plain-clothes Mountie from his saloon. Travis also imprisoned Calgary Herald editor Hugh Cayley for publishing critical articles, dismissing him from his post as Clerk of the District Court and ordering him to pay a fine that increased from $100 to $500. Travis then disqualified Mayor George Murdoch and the entire council from the 1886 election over allegations of voter list irregularities brought by G. E. Marsh, fining Murdoch $100 and barring them from office for two years. This led to a chaotic period where both Murdoch and his opponent, James Reilly, claimed the mayor's office, each holding their own council meetings. The federal Minister of Justice, John Sparrow David Thompson, ordered an inquiry by Justice Thomas Wardlaw Taylor. Justice Taylor's report, released in June 1887, found Travis had exceeded his authority. The federal government suspended Travis and later pensioned him off. A new municipal election was called for November 3, 1886, which George Clift King won, defeating John Lineham.

Just days after this election, the Calgary Fire of 1886 destroyed much of the downtown core. The dysfunctional governance had delayed payment for a new chemical fire engine for the Calgary Hook, Ladder and Bucket Corps, so firefighters broke into the CPR storage yard to retrieve it. Fourteen buildings were destroyed with losses estimated at $103,200, though there were no fatalities. In the fire's aftermath, the new town council passed a bylaw requiring large downtown buildings to be constructed from locally quarried Paskapoo sandstone. This led to a building boom that defined the city's early architectural character, earning Calgary the nickname 'The Sandstone City'. Several quarries were opened by businessmen including Thomas Edworthy and Wesley Fletcher Orr. The city's political influence was further cemented in February 1887 when Donald Watson Davis, who ran the I.G. Baker store and was a former whisky trader, was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Alberta Provisional District, signifying Calgary's growing prominence over Edmonton.

Several prominent structures were built from sandstone following the 1886 fire. The Calgary Fire of 1886 destroyed much of the community's downtown, including fourteen buildings. In response to the fire, the town council passed a bylaw requiring large downtown buildings to be constructed with fire-resistant materials. This led to a reconstruction boom using local Paskapoo sandstone. The widespread use of this material gave Calgary the nickname 'The Sandstone City' and shaped its early architectural character.

• Knox Presbyterian Church (1887)
• Imperial Bank Building (1887)
• Calgary City Hall (1911)
• Calgary Courthouse No. 2 (1914)

Growth, Economy and Demographics

Development sprawled westward, creating rivalry between property owners on the east and west sides of Centre Street. Eastside advocate Major James Walker successfully lobbied the town council to purchase land for a stockyard on the east side, ensuring related industries like meat packing would locate there. By 1892, the town's boundaries reached present-day Seventeenth Avenue, the Elbow River to the east, and Eighth Street to the west. However, economic conditions began to deteriorate in 1892, slowing downtown development and halting the streetcar system started in 1889.

Calgary's economy has been driven by several key sectors. The federal government's offer of large cattle ranching leases under the Dominion Lands Act in 1881, at one cent per acre per year for up to 400 square kilometres, catalyzed early immigration. The I. G. Baker Company drove the first herd of cattle to the Cochrane area that same year by order of Major James Walker. The energy sector, particularly oil and gas, later became the dominant economic force. The city also developed strong financial services, technology, film and television, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, aerospace, and health and wellness industries. This economic diversity is reflected in the city's skyline. Downtown Calgary has more skyscrapers than any other municipality in Western Canada. The city's corporate significance is shown by it having the second-largest number of corporate head offices in Canada among the country's 800 largest companies, a status reinforced when Canadian Pacific Railway moved its headquarters from Montreal to Calgary in 1996.

According to the 2021 census, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784, while the metropolitan area population was 1,481,806, making it Canada's fifth-largest metropolitan area. The city's population growth and economic success have contributed to a high standard of living. In 2015, Calgary had the largest number of millionaires per capita of any major Canadian city. This quality of life was recognized globally in 2022 when Calgary was ranked alongside Zürich as the third most livable city in the world, placing first in Canada and North America.

Olympic Legacy and Modern Identity

Calgary's modern identity is deeply connected to its hosting of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, the first Winter Olympics held in Canada. This event required and left behind extensive world-class sports infrastructure used for events like speed skating, hockey, and opening ceremonies. Key venues built or used for the games included the Scotiabank Saddledome, the Olympic Oval, and McMahon Stadium. The games brought international attention and cemented Calgary's status as a major city capable of hosting global events. The city's cultural identity also remains influenced by its western heritage, most visibly expressed through the annual Calgary Stampede, which references the city's settler and ranching history. The city's economy includes a growing film and television production sector, alongside retail and tourism industries.

The commitment to using local sandstone following the 1886 fire defined the city's early aesthetic and demonstrated a pattern of resilience and rebuilding that continued through the 20th century. The early civic drive for infrastructure, such as the first bridge over the Elbow River and the establishment of a police force and schools, set a foundation for sustained growth into a major metropolis. Calgary's role as a transportation and logistics hub, initiated by the arrival of the CPR in 1883, continues to be a pillar of its economy over a century later. The city's ability to blend its historical roots with contemporary economic drivers and a high quality of life continues to define its character on the national and global stage.

Questions about Calgary

What does the name Calgary mean and where does it come from?

Calgary is named after Calgary Castle on the Isle of Mull in Scotland. North West Mounted Police Commissioner Colonel James Macleod suggested the name in 1876 after returning from being a frequent summer guest there. The area is known by several Indigenous names meaning 'elbow', referencing the sharp bend made by the Bow and Elbow Rivers. These include Mohkínstsis in the Blackfoot language, Wîchîspa Oyade in the Nakoda language, and Guts’ists’i in the Tsuutʼina language. There have been official attempts to promote these Indigenous names in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

When did Calgary become a city and who was its first mayor?

Calgary was incorporated as a town on November 27, 1884, by proclamation of Lieutenant Governor Edgar Dewdney. The first municipal election was held on December 3, 1884, under the North West Municipal Ordinance of 1884. George Murdoch was elected as the first mayor, winning a landslide victory with 202 votes against his opponent E. Redpath's 16 votes. The first town council meeting was held the next morning at Beaudoin and Clarke's Saloon. The council consisted of Mayor Murdoch and four councillors: Simon Jackson Hogg, Neville James Lindsay, Joseph Henry Millward, and Simon John Clarke.

What was the Calgary Fire of 1886 and how did it change the city?

The Calgary Fire of 1886 destroyed much of the downtown core, levelling fourteen buildings with losses estimated at $103,200. The fire occurred during a period of political disarray where two rival mayors claimed office, which hampered the organized civic response. In the aftermath, the new Town Council passed a bylaw requiring all large downtown buildings to be constructed with local Paskapoo sandstone. This led to the opening of several quarries around the city and the construction of prominent sandstone buildings, shaping the city's early architecture and earning it the nickname 'The Sandstone City'.

Why is Calgary important to Canada's economy?

Calgary's economy includes activity in energy, financial services, film, transportation, technology, manufacturing, aerospace, and tourism. Greater Calgary is home to Canada's second largest number of corporate head offices among the country's 800 largest corporations. Downtown Calgary has more skyscrapers than any other municipality in Western Canada. In 2015, Calgary had the largest number of millionaires per capita of any major Canadian city. The city also anchors the south end of the Calgary Edmonton Corridor, a major urban and economic region.

What major international event did Calgary host?

Calgary hosted the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, becoming the first Canadian city to host the Winter Olympics. The games utilized venues including the Scotiabank Saddledome, the Olympic Oval, and McMahon Stadium. This international event was a significant milestone for the city, showing it on a global stage. The legacy of the games includes world class sports facilities that continue to be used for training and competition decades later.

How livable is Calgary compared to other cities worldwide?

In 2022, Calgary was ranked alongside Zürich as the third most livable city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit. This ranking placed it first in Canada and first in North America. The evaluation considers factors such as stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education, and infrastructure. This high ranking reflects Calgary's overall quality of life and its standing as a desirable global city for residents and businesses alike.

Sources and further reading

• Calgary (Wikipedia)
• The City of Calgary, Home Page (calgary.ca)
• Living in Calgary | Life In Calgary (lifeincalgary.ca)
• Tourism Calgary | Blue Sky City (visitcalgary.com)
• CityNews Calgary: Breaking News, Top Local Stories (calgary.citynews.ca)

Checked by the Your Space Hamilton desk. Last updated 2026-10-18.