Stephen Avenue

Ah, Stephen Avenue, the heart of the city’s downtown. Originally named for Baron George Mount Stephen, the president of the Bank of Montreal and the first president of the CPR, it became Eighth Avenue when the city changed street names to numbers in 1904. In 1912 Eighth Avenue was a bustling thoroughfare that held many of the important businesses of the city.

When I was a teenager, it was still Eighth Avenue – but it was not really bustling. It had become tired and rundown. In one effort to revitalize the area, the street was closed to traffic and became the Eighth Avenue Mall. This really didn’t address the issues; in fact it may have exacerbated them. So the street continued to languish until a brilliant plan to revitalize Calgary’s downtown and conserve and celebrate the built heritage along the street was floated. The Eighth Avenue Mall was rechristened the Stephen Avenue Walk and extensive efforts were undertaken to preserve buildings in the area and to bring life back to the downtown.

All the effort has really paid off. Off the buildings pictured in the above postcard, only three have been demolished and replaced. The other five have been renovated for commercial use. This conservation continues up and down Stephen Avenue, making it a celebration of the way we were and what we will become.

As the Calgary Public Library reflects on 100 years of growth, innovation and impact we think about all those who have called Calgary and Alberta home over the past 100 years.

Countless interesting people have contributed in many ways to Calgary and Alberta, people like Peter Lougheed, Emily Murphy and Bob Edwards.

We want to know:

Who is your favourite Calgarian or Albertan?

Let us know in comments below.

The Alberta Hotel - Bob Edwards was a hotel regular.

One of the great things about having a birthday is receiving greetings and reminiscing about past times. Well the Calgary Public Library’s 100^th birthday is no different and we’d like to share with you some messages and stories we’ve received. This month, we’re featuring a message from the Honourable Ron Liepert, M.L.A. Calgary-West.

What do the concrete reliefs at the Stampede Corral and the engraved brick mural at the Alexander Calhoun branch library have in common?

Both art pieces were commissioned by noted prairie artist Luke Lindoe. At the branch’s opening in 1954 Alexander Calhoun, the remarkable Renaissance man himself and first director of Calgary Public Library in 1911, was in attendance. He was extremely proud of the branch and greatly admired the mural, as we still do today.

Old and new have come together over the years in many ways. Long term residents and new young families in this beautiful part of the city are devoted to this branch’s excellent programming and friendly atmosphere.

Check out more historical pictures of this well loved branch in the Calgary Public Library Archives.

Alexander Calhoun Library 1979

Alexander Calhoun Library 1979

The Sherman Grand Block

Courtesy City of Calgary, Discover Historic Calgary

1912 must have been a heady year for our forebears – just look at the number of organizations and buildings that are celebrating their 100^th anniversary this year. One of my favourite buildings and an encouraging heritage success story is the Sherman Grand Opera House, built by Senator James Lougheed. The Grand opened its doors on Monday February 5, 1912, with the play “The Passing of the Third Floor Back” with Johnston Forbes-Robertson.

More than the opening of a theatre, the Sherman Grand represented all that was optimistic in the boom town Calgary of the 1910s. Performers came from all over the world to play the Sherman Grand: Sarah Bernhardt, Sophie Tucker, Ethel Barrymore and Burns and Allen all played the Grand. The Grand was also the site of many important political rallies and speeches.

Things looked a little grim for the old girl – a development permit for a 22 storey office tower was granted in 2000. But in 2003, the property was purchased by a developer who strove to restore the façade and what was left of the interior of the old building to its original glory. It now functions as a ‘culturehouse’ under the auspices of Theatre Junction. It is a wonderful use for what was once Calgary’s social and cultural centre.