To add some perspective to our latest collection of historic Calgary postcards, we’ve paired each mailing with its modern-day Google Street View. Oh, how things have (and haven’t) changed…
Centre Street Bridge
Ca. unknown
Today
Centre Street Bridge was built by the City of Calgary in 1916 for $375,000. It replaced the steel and truss MacArthur Bridge which was built in 1907 and destroyed by a flood in 1915.
Calgary skyline as seen from Crescent Heights
Ca. 1940s
Today
According to the 1926 Canadian Census, the population of Calgary in the mid 1920s was only 65,291 people, 5.5 per cent of what it is today.
Wholesale Dristict
Ca. early 1900s
Today
On the left of the postcard you’ll find Calgary Dining Parlors, and on the right, Empire Theatre (206 8th Avenue South West) with the Alexander Corner in the foreground right.
2nd Street and 11th Avenue SE
1910
Today
Architecturally, little has changed along this portion of 2nd Street over the last century. The Louise Block building is still standing but instead of being home to “Candy, Drugs, Cigars” (written across the awnings in the postcard), its a place to enjoy a hot bowl of pho.
9th Avenue and 1st Street W
1913
Today
A handwritten note dated November 16th, 1913 on the back of the postcard above reads: “Dear Mrs Kennedy,
Received the little parcel and thanks very much for them it was to(sic) good of you for the ones I had was(sic) quit(sic) pretty enough. The weather hear(sic) has been fine tele(sic) Mr Kennedy he should see the gas in the furnace its fine if it is cold you can turn it on and if it gets warm you can turn it off. With kind regards to Mr. K and the boys. Love to yourself Lovingly Mrs. F.C Fyvie
-Mrs D. Kennedy 374 Flora Ave Winnipeg, Man”
Grain Exchange Building
Ca. unknown
Today
The six-storey Grain Exchange was one of the tallest buildings in Alberta when it was completed in 1909 for a cost of $164,000. The province’s current tallest building, The Bow, was completed in 2013 at a cost of $1.4 billion.
Calgary Court House
Ca. unknown
Today
Completed in 1914, the court house was designed by AM Jeffers, the same architect who is responsible for the Legislature building in Edmonton.
17th Avenue and 14th Street SW
1919
Today
Around 6am on December 15th, 1919, a streetcar barreled through the entrance of Crooks Drugstore at the corner of 17th Avenue and 14th Street SW, causing extensive damage. Some photographer obviously looked at the accident and thought: ‘This would make a great postcard.’
Dr. Carl Safran Centre
1914
Today
Originally called the Calgary Collegiate Institute, the school opened in September 1908 with a student enrollment of 120. Renamed the Dr. Carl Safran Special Class School in 1972, it served as a special education facility until 1986 when the Calgary Board of Education recommissioned it as an adult education centre. Its name honours Dr. Carl Safran, who was chief superintendent of the public school board in the 1970s, an educational psychologist and pioneer in the field of special education.
Looking west on 9th Avenue SE
Ca. 1920s
Today
Before the Calgary Tower, 9th Avenue was home to the Empire Hotel, Ashdown’s Hardware store and, of course, the Palliser Hotel which has been a landmark since it was built in 1914. At the time the postcard photograph was taken, it was the city’s tallest building.
8th Avenue looking west from Centre Street
Ca. unknown
Today
Well many things have changed, early examples of Calgary’s sandstone architecture can still be found throughout the city.
First Baptist Church on 13th Avenue SW
Ca. unknown
Today
A fine example of Gothic Revival-style architecture, construction on Calgary’s First Baptist Church started in 1911 and wrapped up the following year.
Corner of 1st Street SE and 8th Avenue
Ca. 1910s
Today
The only building at this intersection that has stood up to Father Time is the Dominion Bank building on the left. According to the Calgary Public Library, in 1911 a local newspaper praised building — which was still under construction at the time — as “a very complete, artistic and beautiful structure.” The terra cotta used for the bank’s facade was manufactured by the Doulton pottery firm and imported “at considerable cost” from England.
6th Avenue and 1st Street SE fire hall
1966
Today
The 6th Avenue fire hall was originally built in 1911 for a cost of $34,021. In those days, Calgary firemen were paid $70 per month and lived 24 hours a day at the hall.
Hudson Bay Company store and Herald Building
1914
Today
Photos: Calgary Public Library/Google Street View
Originally built in 1912 for $1.5 million, the Hudson Bay store has gone through two major expansions, the first in 1929 and the second in 1958. On each occasion, special care had to be taken to maintain and match the structure’s original terra cotta tiles.
Want more classic Calgary postcards? Travel further back in time with us here.
