Historic Walks of Calgary: Ten Walks to Points of Historical Architectural Interest

Kathy E. Zimon is a fine arts librarian (emerita) at the University of
Calgary. She is the author of Alberta Society of Artists: The First 70
Years and co-editor of Art Documentation Bulletin of the Art Libraries
Society of North America.

Historic Walks of Calgary is more than a collection of walking tours, it
is also an extensive account of 294 buildings and urban landmarks. The
10 walks selected encompass most of the early city as it developed
during its first century, from the recently designated Stephen Avenue
National Historic District with its restored sandstone buildings at the
heart of downtown, to the East Village and Inglewood in the southeast,
the Beltline in the southwest, and Bridgeland and Crescent Heights to
the north. Sanders, an archivist and historian with deep roots in
Calgary, tells their stories one building at a time, resulting in an
affectionate mosaic portrait of a past that has more than once come
close to being bulldozed by the boom-and-bust cycles that characterize
the city’s history.

Each walk is introduced by a brief text and a minimal map of the area,
noting the start and end of the tour; buildings are identified by
traditional name and current occupant, street address, style, architect
if known, and date; this is followed by a history or anecdote about the
builder, owner, business, or notable people associated with the
building; finally, each is illustrated by a photograph, often from
archival sources. Among other landmarks included are The Famous Five
bronze sculptures, the Centre Street Bridge and its lions, and James
Short Park and its cupola.

Acknowledging much previous research by others, this book updates,
expands, and consolidates, in one volume, elusive information usually
found in more ephemeral tour booklets or still buried in archives. A
last page on “primary research” offers advice to the public on
conducting its own research on buildings of interest. The substantial
content is both an advantage and a hindrance: such a large volume could
have used a good index, or a list of building names for easier
consultation. Nevertheless, several weeks on the local bestseller lists
attests to the public’s growing appreciation of Calgary’s built
heritage, and a popular author who makes the subject so accessible for
so many.