Unearthing the Legends of the Stampede City
Long before the skyscrapers defined the horizon, the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers was known to the Blackfoot people as Moh-kins-tsis. From its deep Indigenous roots to its explosive growth during the railway and oil booms, Calgary's foundation was built by pioneers, risk-takers, and visionaries.
Click an artifact below to unearth the story of how it built Calgary.
Before 1883, Fort Calgary was an isolated North-West Mounted Police outpost. But when the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) finally laid its steel tracks through the settlement, it changed everything. The train brought an explosion of settlers, cattle ranchers, and commerce, instantly transforming the quiet frontier fort into a bustling agricultural hub. The CPR literally put YYC on the map.
In 1886, a catastrophic fire swept through Calgary's wooden downtown, destroying 14 massive buildings. In response, civic leaders mandated that all new commercial buildings be built using the local, fire-resistant Paskapoo sandstone. This massive rebuilding effort gave the city a unified, grand architectural style, earning Calgary the historic nickname "The Sandstone City."
While the Leduc No. 1 oil strike actually occurred closer to Edmonton, Calgary's aggressive, pro-business climate and existing infrastructure made it the clear choice for corporate headquarters. This pivotal moment triggered an economic boom that would define Calgary for the next 70 years, transforming it into the undisputed Energy Capital of Canada.
Created by the local Smithbilt hat company, the pristine white cowboy hat became the ultimate symbol of Calgary's identity. Mayor Don Mackay started the tradition of presenting the hat to visiting dignitaries in the 1950s. Today, receiving the White Hat is the highest honor the city can bestow, symbolizing Calgary's famous brand of warm, western hospitality.
Hover over the venues to see how the '88 Winter Games still shape the city today.
The iconic bobsleigh and luge track at Canada Olympic Park (now WinSport) didn't just host the famous Jamaican Bobsled team. Today, it hosts World Cup events and allows brave tourists to ride down the ice at 100+ km/h.
Located at the University of Calgary, the Olympic Oval was the first fully enclosed speed skating oval in North America. Thanks to the city's high altitude and advanced climate control, it is still known globally as "The Fastest Ice in the World."
With its famous reverse-parabolic roof designed to look like a western saddle, this arena hosted figure skating and hockey in '88. It remains the beloved (and notoriously loud) home of the NHL's Calgary Flames.
Need to sound like a local? Click a term to decode Calgary's unique vocabulary.