Besides Louise Riley herself, for whom our library is named, several other notables have graced the hill of Hounsfield Heights since the early days at the turn of the last century.

Charlie Richardson- first principal of Hillhurst School. His daughter Barbara kept her horse Princess tethered where Sears is now.

Harry Pollard- world famous photographer of First Nations people. He was also Chief photographer of Canadian Pacific Railway and his collection is in the Provincial Archives of Alberta in Edmonton. You can view his photographs here https://hermis.alberta.ca/paa/Search.aspx?CollectionID=2&st=harry+pollard. His wife Ella (Eleanor Pollard) was was a beauty queen and rode in the Domion Fair Parade in 1908 as "Miss Canada."

Sam Adams- lawyer, alderman for five years, then mayor for 2 years. Long Lance (Sylvester Clark Long, reporter) threw a fake bomb through his window, which resulted in his being fired as a reporter for the Herald.

Alexander Calhoun- first director of Calgary Public Library lived in a nearby house on the hill and walked to Memorial Park Library every day. Louise Riley worked there also. The branch named after him (built into a hill) is located on 14th Street SW.

Dr. Huxley Johnson- a local doctor who died in the polio epidemic while assisting the communtiy. He was Huxley Jr. Huxley Sr, an early resident , was doctor at the Sunnyside Military Hospital.

Bill W. Saunders- vice principal of SAIT. In 1957, he started the first courses related to the oil industry.

W.R. Castell- also a Calgary Public Library Director

Ralph McCready- instructor at Mount Royal College

Charles Richardson-first principal of Hillhurst Public School for the first 23 years

Gerald Tailfeathers(1925-1975). "One of the first Native Canadians to become a professional artist, he came to prominence in the 1950s. His art had several influences: study in the Summer Art School in Glacier National Park (Montana) with New York portrait painters Winold Reiss and Carl Linck; the cowboy school of painting led by Charles Russell; the Oklahoma school of Indian painting; the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts and the Provincial School of Technology and Art in Calgary. In the main, his work exhibits a romantic and nostalgic vision of his Blood people's life in the late 19th century. Thus, it features warriors in their traditional activities of warfare, hunting and ceremonial life. Tailfeathers later began experimenting with cast-bronze sculpture that depicted themes inspired by cowboy art" -source:The Canadian Encyclopedia, which you can access in our E-library online.

Thank you to Marg McCready for her reseach, and to the Calgary Association of Lifelong Learner's for adding Gerald Tailfeathers.
See our earlier post about the Riley family and their influence on the neighbourhood.

Do you know of another famous Housfield Heights dweller? Please comment if you do!

We're very excited about Historic Calgary Week, even more since one of the walks will start on our very doorstep! David Peyto is leading a walk from Louise Riley Library to Sunnyside C-Train station passing by the many Century Homes (circa 1912) in the area as well as other areas of interest.

Monday, July 30th at 9:30 a.m. at the Louise Riley Library Program Building (walk ends at 11:30 a.m.)

Where: 1904 14th Ave NW (across from Lion's Park C-train station)

Free! No registration.

Historic Calgary Week runs July 27-August 6, and is sponsored by Calgary 2012 and the Cultural Capital of Canada Program, City of Calgary and Canadian Heritage. Volunteers from the Chinook Country Historical Society are leading walks throughout the city.

Check out these links:

The organizers of Historic Calgary Week have information about events on their site:
http://www.chinookcountry.org/

An interactive map shows century homes in your area. Create your own tour!
http://www.centuryhomes.org

Meet like-minded Calgarians:
http://calgarylifelonglearners.ca/wordpress/

Our website's Community Heritage and Family History blog with great resources:
http://calgarypubliclibrary.com/blogs/community-heritage-and-family-history?p=2591

CBC Eyeeopener eposide interviewing one homeowner about her historical home and its original owner (Tappy Frost, CPL's first registered cardholder!)
http://www.cbc.ca/eyeopener/episode/2012/07/19/century-homes---hillhurst/

Happy 100th Birthday Hillhurst School!

Hillhurst School, the big sandstone school at the base of the hill south of the Jubilee Auditorium is turning 100 in 1912, along with the Calgary Public Library. Another connection with the Louise Riley Library is that both the school and library were built on Riley land. Ezra Riley sold the land to the school board for $10,000.

Eleanor Garrett wrote a fine history book in 1987 titled Hillhurst School: 1912-1987 for the school’s 75^th anniversary. You can borrow a copy from Louise Riley branch. Her father Charles A. Richardson was the first principal when it opened in 1912. During World War I there were rifle drills for the boys.

Ernest Hilton Stephens, still known as Stevie the janitor also started in 1912. He died in 1928, and children in 2012 are still telling stories about his ghost.

In 1935, Hillhurst became a junior high school. While organizing the 100^th celebration, it was interesting to speak with students from the 1940s. Here is Howard’s memory of learning to drive,

Driver training,courtesy of Alberta Motor Association and home room teacher, was provided to 5 boys.These training sessions were bi-weekly for several weeks. .The car was a 2 door 1936 Chevrolet sedan. It was equipped with a dual controlled clutch which enabled the instructor to assist beginners in operating the clutch smoothly along with gear selection of a standard 3 speed transmission. A milk bottle was often used standing on the floor to establish a smooth motion when starting.

In 1953-1957 Hillhurst became an elementary school, and then a combined elementary and junior high from 1957-1963, and back to just an elementary school from 1963-1967.

Terry, a student in the 1960’s remembers that there were separate playgrounds for the boys and girls, and that they were not allowed to intermingle at recess or gym. The principal Mr. Dibble took the boys out in the yard in June. He would hit balls with a baseball bat and pay them a nickle if they could catch one barehanded! This was also the decade that taxidermy animals are first mentioned in the display cases in the front hallway. Terry remembers owls, a bear, a cougar and a duck.

Here’s a memory from a student who started in 1968.

Some of my favorite memories are when we would sit in the hallway, drag out the old piano and all sing Christmas Carols. I remember the feel of the sheet music and just the camaraderie of everyone. Also, I always looked forward to the Christmas concerts.

Other memories include; playing baseball and the ball slamming into my nose, watching kids dare others to stick their tongues to the fence in winter. One student did this and his tongue got stuck. Had to get the teacher to bring out some hot water!

Having the park so close was a great bonus. I remember taking "field" trips to the park in the summer. And yes, the ghost stories were around even when I was there!

It was in 1964 that the gymnasium was added. In 1973 Erna Penner was the first female principal. In 1977 Hillhurst became a Community School

Robin attended in the 1970s. She remembers, “At Christmas, we all sat in the front foyer every day to sing Christmas carols. So much fun. Such a small group that we didn’t have to go to the gym.” She was taught by Ms. Jacqueline Robbins, one of a pair of actress twins who went on to star in movies and a famous Tom Cochrane video.

Here’s a recollection from Patti, the mother of students who attended in the 1980s:

My children went to Hillhurst Community School (as it was then known) between the years of 1980 and 1992. The word “community” in the name says so much about what I remember, as it truly was a warm, welcoming and wonderful school. As parents we were encouraged to volunteer and participate as much as we were willing and able.

Hillhurst Community School was a small school in the middle of a growing city. It was easy to get to know most of the students, teachers, staff and families. The school was interwoven with other aspects of the community such as childcare facilities, the HSCA community centre, Riley Park and Bowview Pool. Some of the families that I met during that time still pop into my life occasionally. I remember carpooling to the school, events, fieldtrips, extra-curricular events (gymnastics, swimming and soccer in particular). I remember walking with the children up the hill to SAIT for swimming lessons. I remember the end of year picnics in Riley Park when the families spread out on the grass to eat their picnic suppers, to visit and to go for a dip in the wading pool. I remember taking my turn volunteering for the lunch program, before they had paid employees. I remember having a candy-floss table at the Hillhurst/Sunnyside Fall Fair and a bake sale at Safeway. I remember being astounded and delighted by some of the plays and seasonal events in the gymnasium.

One hundred Happy Birthdays to you Hillhurst School! May you have 100’s more children fill your classrooms and hallways with their inquisitive minds, laughter and chatter, and may you continue to help generate well educated community oriented citizens with many fond memories of the time they spent within the walls of your beautiful sandstone building.

Nicolas was a student in the late 1980s. He remembers the taxidermy animals were still there, but they disappeared a while later when his sister attended Hillhurst. His favourite was the golden eagle. His mom made a stuffed mascot of Hooter the owl. He remembers the ballet students practicing in the upstairs auditorium.

Laura attended in the 1990s. Here are some of her memories,

“I remember helping to plan the new playground (it used to be wood and metal with gravel). I got to sit in the staff room and talk to the committee members about what kids liked and recommend pieces from the playground catalogue. Generally I was made to feel very important and special. This is a feeling that I got a lot at Hillhurst. I am incredibly grateful for the cool teachers, the library and librarians, the clubs and beautiful building/ big fields.

I remember so much more... the creepy basement and mudrooms. The science room filled with dead bugs and other specimens. The janitors' office. The 'bladder balls' we used for dodgeball. The worn-in wooden steps all the way to the 3rd floor (I counted once, there are about 75). The fire escapes. Rooftop picture day. The old IBM computers withblack and green screens (we used to fight to play the Tarzan game)

I am happy to report that everyone I know from Hillhurst is doing very well. The majority have or are nearly completed their University degrees, they are all creative and politically engaged, and most importantly, they have an appreciation for nature and the environment that I can't help thinking is, in some part, due to our unique education at Hillhurst. We were lucky enough to attend outdoor school, spend time in Riley Park, and learn about ecology from people like Mr. Smith and Mrs. Hudson.”

One of the popular volunteer programs is grandparent reading, and Hillhurst is fortunate that some of their school grads are volunteer grandparents who have returned to read to the children.

To celebrate the 100 years, the students are painting a historical mural for the outside of the gymnasium under the direction of artists Stan Phelps and Carole Bondaroff. Carole’s mother Francis went to the school in 1936, and is still in touch with two friends she met there.

Hillhurst School is turning 100 years old, along with the Calgary Stampede and Calgary Public Library. We're collecting stories from former students about going to the sandstone school. It has alternately been an elementary and junior high school. Here are some memories...

In the 1980s and 1990s, there were taxidermy stuffed animals in the glass cases at the front door. Where did those animals come from? Where did they go?

When was the owl adopted as a school mascot? For a while the owl was called Hooter, and a local mom made a stuffed mascot. Now the owl is named Hibou.

Did kids always tell stories about Stevie the ghost?

Several students remember Alberta Ballet practicing upstairs in the old auditorium.

A student in the 1960s remembers the principal Mr. Dibble taking the boys out in the yard in June. He would hit balls with a baseball bat and pay them a nickle if they could catch one barehanded!

We have a great book called Hillhurst School: Then and Now which was written for the 75th birthday by Eleanor Garrett. Her father was the first principal at Hillhurst.

Make a book with children's author Illustrator Carolyn Fisher

Janine Vangool from internationally acclaimed UPPERCASE Magazine

Mad Dr. Matt's videos

An Historic look at Hounsfield Heights by Marg McCready

Hounsfield Heights is the NE ¼ of Sec. 20, Township 24, Range 1, West of the 5^th meridian. A Canada Territories Certificate of Ownership for this piece was issued on 7 Oct. 1889 to Eva MacKay Sutherland, wife of Robert. She sold it to George Alexander, Barrister and Henry B. Alexander, rancher on 12 July, 1890. It was purchased by Georgiana Jane Hounsfield Riley on 8 July 1902 and annexed by the city in 1910.

When Georgiana died Jan. 4, 1907 she left this property to her sons. According to the 1912 tax roles the property was owned by Newcombe Limited, Real Estate, FarmLands, and City Property. Presumably the lot plan for the area was laid out by them.

In 1912 the land between 16 Street and 19 Street in Hillhurst was prairie. The trails across the prairie converged on 17 St as this was the only road up the hill to the farm houses beyond. Once up the hill there was nothing but rolling prairie. The wind must have been terrific at times. Wind breaks would have been a must.

On June 10, 1910 ‘The Morning Albertan’ featured the headline “HounsfieldHeights; all view lots – an ideal location for an ideal home. Prices quoted were $800 to $1000 for a 50 foot lot – very high prices for the time.

You could go up the hill on Morleyville Trail (10 Street) or 17 Street. The road on 14 Street only went as far as 10^th Avenue. Seventeenth St. and 14St. had board sidewalks. Obviously access was very limited and that partially explains the lull in development after the initial 11 houses were built. Another part of the explanation would have been the “bust” which began in 1912 and the economy really didn’t recover until after the second world war. There was one house built in 1920 and only a few over the next 20 years. By the late 40’s development was quite rapid. I don’t imagine there were many cars in the area in 1912 but you will see evidence that possibly horses were kept by some people. Many of the residents such as Alexander Calhoun were great walkers. For many years Ralph McCready walked from 16A St. toMount RoyalCollege at 7 Ave. & 11St. West.

After WW2 the City ofCalgary, to help ease the housing shortage and protect servicemen from speculators, introduced a plan to sell individual lots for half price providing a start was made on a dwelling with a year. This may have been the impetuous for building to start again in HounsfieldHeights. I know of several families who took advantage of this help.

As late as 1951 when I moved into Hounsfield Heights 19 Street did not go down the hill. The only public transportation was on 10 Street or 5^th Avenue. The nearest grocery store was Jenkins on the corner of 14 St and 20 Ave. The local children went to theUniversity Demonstration School which was at SAIT and every spring there was a regular creek running down the east side of 14 St. Some father would go out and put boards across so the kids could cross safely on their way to and from school. I did not go to UDS because classes sizes were limited, I went to Hillhurst Junior High. Some of the neighbours would pick me up on the way home for lunch which I greatly appreciated. It was quite difficult hiking up the hill twice a day in the winter. Going down was easy. Winter driving got quite exciting at times. I remember once the only way my Dad could get home was up Center Street and then across 16 Ave.

Between 15 St and 16 St, north of 13 Avenue there was a natural slough which the Dads of the area decided would make a good skating rink. The city co-operated with a street light, power and water for flooding. The Dads also built a hut where we could put our skates on. In February of 1952 we had a skating carnival with prizes for best costume and hot dogs. It was a wonderful day.

In 1951 improvements like curbs and gutters, sidewalks, grading and gravelling of roads began. The assessment charge for a 62.5 foot lot was: curb and gutter $19.90 / year, concrete sidewalk $33.48 per year, Grading and gravelling $12.00 per year. The tax bill in 1952 was city and school taxes $53.75, local improvement and special tax $88.41 per year for a total of $242.16.

I am amazed that across the street from my home, virtually the centre of the city, there is virgin prairie. The hillside has many underground springs. Many years ago a basement was dug on 17A St part way up the hill and it immediately filled with water. As children this provided us with endless fun, catching tadpoles etc. and in the winter it made tobogganing pretty exciting if you didn’t steer properly. Crocuses and shooting stars were abundant. Some people kept horses in the field during the clement months. The community has guarded this area zealously over the years and it is now dedicated parkland. My grandchildren are the 3^rd generation of McCreadys to hike through this prairie to go to Queen Elizabeth School.

The nearest library in 1951 was on Kensington Road where Pages Book Store is. A favourite Saturday activity was to go as a group to exchange our books. We roamed the prairie trapping gophers and making up all sorts of imaginative games. We played Kick the Can, Hide and Seek and anything else that kept us active from sunup to sundown. No worries about obese children in those days.

The Polio epidemics in the 50’s were very trying times. Movie theatres were closed, swimming pools were closed but we had the prairie isolated from the crowds. Dr. Willard Allen and Dr. Huxley Johnson Jr. both contracted the terrible disease. Sadly Dr. Johnson did not recover.

The Hounsfield Heights Community Association was founded in 1949. In 1952 it joined with an interested group from Briar Hill to form the Hounsfield Heights-Briar Hill Community Association which was incorporated in 1953. A community hall was built in 1956.

Join Louise Riley Library and Professor Graham Livesey of The University of Calgary as we tour past notable neighbourhood homes and institutions such as Heritage Hall at SAIT and North Hill Mall. Volunteer historian Marg McCready, whose history of the Riley family appears in an earlier post, has provided a wealth of information about the history of Hounsfield Heights - Briar Hill.

We meet for coffee and cookies around a display in the program building and then head out on our walk

When: Sunday May 6 10 AM-12 PM

Where: Louise Riley Library Program Building

Transit: Lions Park C-train station, routes 19/119, 91

Free! Please bring your friends and families and share neighbourhood stories and memories.

Context: Louise Riley Library was named after a Memorial Park Librarian, whose prominent family ranched and settled the Houndsfield Heights Briar Hill area. Jane Jacobs was a New York writer and community activist who emphasized the importance of historical buildings and personal neighbourhood connections, saving much of the Lower East Side of Manhattan from demolition.

Photo credits: Louise Riley (right) Calgary Public Library digital photo collection
Jane Jacobs at the White Horse Tavern by Cervin Robinson from janeswalk.net

Thomas Riley and his family

Thomas Riley was a true Victorian but he had the soul of a poet. He was very well educated in England and he wrote beautifully often showing a very soft and caring interior.

He was born Sept. 16, 1842 in Ilkeston, Derby, England, the son of William Riley and Maria Straw. His parents were also born in Ilkeston – William in 1814 and Maria Straw in 1816. The family consisted of 7 sons and 2 daughters. Thomas came to Canada in 1863 at the age or 21, travelling by sailing ship with his eldest brother Charles William. The rest of the family followed. Maria died in Kitchener in 1868 and William inLondon, Ont. in 1888.

Thomas married Georgiana Jane Hounsfield at St. Georges Church, Torontoon Aug. 17, 1863. Georgiana was born 11 Dec. 1843 in London. She was born in the 4^th quarter of 1843 in Lambeth, Surrey. Her parents were William Henry Hounsfield and Elizabeth Russell ofWest Yorkshire.

Their first child William Henry Hounsfield Riley was born June 29^th 1864 at Richmond Hill, Ontario. Between 1871 and 1881 he passed away. These three sons were born at Yorkville,Ontario: Ezra Hounsfield, June 5, 1866; Thomas Charles Walker, Jan 31 1868, and Frank Russell May 14, 1870.

Then the family moved to Montreal, Quebec where Alfred George Frederic was born March 5, 1872; Georgiana Clare Louise Nov. 29, 1873; Arthur Wulfston Edwyn Sept 14, 1875. InSt. Lambert, Quebec Harold William Hounsfield born Dec. 15, 1877 Edmunde John Jan 7, 1880; Maria Elizabeth, Dec. 12, 1880 and Emily Frances, June 11, 1883 were added to the family.

The family came west in 1888 although some reports say Thomas came in 1887 and the rest of the family followed when he had a dwelling ready for them. Originally he gave his occupation as merchant but he soon got into the ranching business acquiring land north of theBow River and west of the Morleyville Trail, from the river valley up over the crest of the hill, becoming one of the most prominent pioneer families.

According to the 1891 Southern Alberta census Thomas was a rancher, Ezra aged 25, Alfred aged 19, and Thomas Charles aged 23 were farm labourers; Frank aged 21 was a Clerk in a dry good shop; Arthur was 15, Harold was 13 and Edmund was 11. Interestingly, the whole family were listed as RC (Roman Catholic).

Males 18 or older and male or female heads of families that were British subjects by birth or naturalization could apply for a homestead. They had to live on the land for 3 years, clearing and farming some, making improvements. Even numbered sections were for homesteads and pre-emptions, odd numbered sections were sold. Homesteaders had the option to purchase land next to theirs as a pre-emption by paying market price of $2.00 per acre. The CPR were given 24 miles either side of rail line in return for building the rail line. Some of this land was available to buy too.

As the Riley boys were eligible they applied for homesteads and the family bought adjoining land and some available CPR land as well. They became the largest landowners in Calgary at one time eventually owning about 10,000 acres or 4050 hectares. In addition they leased land. They practised mixed farming raising horses, cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys and growing wheat, oats and barley as well as a vegetable garden and flowers. In 1896 Thomas and four of the boys formed a ranching business known as Riley Bros. According to the 1900 brand book the cattle were branded with a bar over a T on the right rib and the horses with 66 on the right shoulder.

Thomas kept a comprehensive diary from the start of the farming season in April of 1889 to Jan 29, 1907 about 2 years before his death. The diary was continued by someone else from Jan. 29 to July 27, 1907 The diary is a record of personal family and business like. Weather was the prime concern when everyone was dependent on farming and ranching operations. His first 2 years of farming and ranching were marred by the great snowstorms of 1889 and 1890. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1889 he wrote: ”Rain of the early part of the night changed to snow which at daylight was fully 10 inches deep and still falling – during the forenoon it must have laid quite a foot deep on the level – in some places very much deeper.” “Can this district really be classed as a grain growing country?” The following year on Sept. 9, 1890 the entry reads: “First snow – anniversary of last year’s big storm – cloudy, cold, snow showers during the day.” And, on Sept. 10 Thomas wrote: Snow continues, gets heavier, commenced from S.E. now N.E. and at 3:00 pm fully 12 inches on the level. Last year’s storm was not exceptional.”

Long before keeping farm records was fashionable, Thomas’s diary served as a useful record of his farming practices and his success or failure in the methods attempted. A map showing where various crops were planted is followed by an outline of the crop season, including such facts as dates of seeding, weather conditions during the summer, date of harvest and yield obtained. He also kept track of cattle and horse sales.

In his diary,Thomas mentioned the old farm and the lodge farm, Matthias field, Westaway, Jubilee 8 and theDouglasfield. Unfortunately he doesn’t mention locations with the names. I think the old farm was Hillhurst and West Hillhurst, then later Briar Hill and Hounsfield Heights. I think the Ranche was the large area along the Morleyville Trail and the Nose Hill area.

Some of the boys worked their own land as well as the family land especially Harold and Ezra. Frank married Mildred Antoinette Ancrum July 18, 1896 in Yorkville and they had two sons; Harold Hounsfield born in 1897 and Frank Russell born in 1900. The family lived inSt. Lambert. March 2, 1897 Ezra married Harriet Waterhouse of Innisfail. By 1901 TCW had moved into town. He travelled quite a bit with his work. In Aug. of 1901 Frank and family visited from Montreal. When Frank left Sept 17 Thomas wrote “it is not likely the whole family will ever meet again on earth”. Thomas was very much of the Victorian Era and he was not happy with the family not being together, under his thumb almost. Even though he was living in Montreal in Jan of 1901, Frank sent a bank draft for investment in the Ranche. It took a large group to keep the operation functioning. Trips had to be made to town for coal, wood had to be cut, gardens tended (even one comment about Harold painting the kitchen). There was plowing, seeding, haying, reaping as well as tending the animals. They had to get timber permits, haying permits as well as renewing leases etc.

Thomas was very patriotic, he devoted an entire page in his diary to the death of Queen Victoria, made note of Dominion Day, the Queen’s birthday etc. He was also keenly interested in politics running unsuccessfully twice for the North-West Territories Legislature once against no other than R.B. Bennett.. In his diary on March 31, 1901 he said the world was waking up to business in every line in the first year of the new century. Later on April 23, 1901, he commented that the first year of the new century may bring some startling occurrences.

Thomas kept track of all the important family dates – birthdays, weddings, christenings, his wedding anniversary, correspondence with family still in England, the travels of TCW etc. The family were very sociable, he kept track of visits to and from neighbours and the families participation in community and church activities.

1901 seems to show the beginning of some difficulties in the family business. On April 30, Thomas wrote in his diary that he discussed farming with Alfred and Tom (TCW) which was not complimentary to him. He said “the magnet of my course is gone, or only points in vain. The shore to which my shattered sail shall ne’er be stretched again”. At the end of May, 1901 he wrote “this month of May has been to me full of worry, disappointed hopes and unhappiness generally as any month I can recall. It seems to be “the parting of the ways”.

When Frank’s wife and children left on Oct 24 Thomas wrote it seems strange not to have Millie and the children about but Hattie and the children prevent utter loneliness.

By 1906 the family are feeling pressure from the city. The population is growing. The city is annexing land including the old farm. Georgiana is unwell, the boys are restless. In April of 1906 Thomas notes the Trott land is now known as Grand Trunk and Bruce’s place is Canadian Northern addition. All are being sold in marked garden plots – “it is a great time entirely”. People were looking overUpper Hillhurst. On June 5, 1906 the Ranche lands and 400 cattle were sold to P. Burns & Co. The Herald announced the sale on June 23. The newspaper report said “An important deal involving 25 or 30 thousand dollars which has been underway for some weeks past is being completed by the transfer of a portion of the ranching interest of Riley & Sons to P. Burns & Co.

The splendid property on Nose Creek recently acquired is greatly enhanced in value being blocked into good shape for economic handling.

Riley & Sons retain all their recorded brands and their band of horses is not affected by this transaction. They will dispose of their grade cattle shortly, and give their attention to pure breeds and more extensive farming. They still own some 3000 acres of good land in the same vicinity.

This purchase makes the Burns Ranche about 7000 acres being 4200 acquired from the Calgary Cattle Co. and 1,280 from Riley & Sons.

Pressure from the fast expanding city continues. A Hillhurst postmastership was under consideration. Gradually the family began sub-dividing and selling their homestead. By July lots are being sold and in August they start to advertise most lots for sale.

Aug 16, 1906 Thomas writes he has given final corrections and instructions to Mr. Wilson about the plans for the new house. The architects estimate was $4,700.00. By the end of the month tenders were let. Ezra had arranged with Benson and Houlton to build his house. On Sept. 3, Thomas and Arthur marked out a 5 acre lot. On the 7^th Benson got plans from Wilson, the architect to figure out a tender and Fred Lowes visited. By the middle of Sept. the house plans are complete in every respect but there is little chance of the house being built in 1906.

Georgiana’s health problems continued and Dr. Rouleau made many calls to see her. Through the year she had rallied at times but continued to be unwell. She ate her Christmas dinner in her room and the doctor made one of many calls to see her. On Jan 4/07 Thomas wrote “the beloved Mother of my sons and daughters died nestled in my arms. The Strife is o’er, The Battle won Georgie. ‘ On Jan 10 the Albertan wrote that Mrs. Riley at 10am on Jan 4 at Hounsfield Lodge. Her funeral was at St. Barnabas and by special dispensation of the Lord Bishop she was buried in St. Barnabas churchyard.

Thomas didn’t write in his diary again until Jan 16 when he wrote …”a lifetime of grief seems to have been endured since my last entry. Yet all the beautiful, sad services have been attended to and now the beauty of it all forces itself on us, whilst the sadness seems easier to meet and overcome.

Jan. 20/07 I have sat down to continue this diary several times, but it almost seems as if it is finished and yet I realize that there remains work still to be done. Although I love to live over the 82 hours she was with me this year since I kissed her a happy New Year on the last stroke of the midnight which ushered it in I must bury my sorrow and live my remaining days as may best show thankfulness for the “Fathers” manifold and great mercies to us through the whole of our lives… I still hear the voice that is still, I still feel the touch of the vanished hand, Let me dream my dreams…

On Jan 24/07 Ned (Edmund) opened Riley’s Real Estate Offices to sell properties in Hillhurst andUpper Hillhurst. A number of properties had already been sold.

On the 28^th Thomas wrote “Finishing up thing to leave for Montreal tomorrow, Sad and painful work for me yet I think Georgie would want it so.”

On Jan 29/07 Thomas wrote “Everything has been done I can think of… I leave the home I built for her and the home I was building for her and herself I am to leave. Good Bye everybody.

Thomas does not write in his diary again- he travelled to Montreal with Frank, Louise, Maria and Emily and then on to Halifax where they sailed on March 16 on the “Virginian” bound for England.

The family continues their life and someone continues the diary in the same way – keeping track of the comings and goings of the family, the farm work, the social life, even Willie’s birthday. By Feb. work has started on the new house again and the boys are keeping the ‘family firm’ going. They send the first butter to market for instance. In April one entry said washerwoman didn’t come so all had to buckle down and do it ourselves.

On the 26^th of March Frank and his family left Montreal to set up house in Calgary arriving on April 6^th at midnight. Their household goods came in a railway car. Before long they began building a house and by June 17 they moved into it. One address given for the house was 2006 –7 Ave N. W.

In July TCW went to England to join Thomas and the girls in Horwich. They left Liverpool July 19 again aboard the SS Virginian headed for Montreal and then home on the TransCanada train. The diary ends here.

Georgiana never lived in her new home and I don’t know if Thomas did either. He died Jan 13, 1909 after a 2 year illness according to the paper. His obituary said he died at Hounsfield Lodge at the age of 68. Since the new home had the same name as the old one it is impossible to tell exactly where he died. Pallbearers at his funeral included Judge Stuart, Peter Prince, Colonel Walker, H. Neilson, William Roper Hull and A.S. MacKay.

When Georgiana died, she left the property in Hounsfield Heights to her sons and they laid out a subdivision. Thomas was the executor and he registered a 10 acre parcel where the new home was being built as well as the Villa lots 14 – 26 to himself. He also agreed to sell 4 of the villa lots to the Campbells for a greenhouse. When Thomas died the 3 girls were the executors and they inherited his estate valued at almost $200,000. They had the use of Hounsfield Lodge until they married. When they married they forfeited the use of the house. When all married it belonged to all three to absolutely share and share alike. By the end of 1912 they were all married. At some point Frank moved into the house so obviously it wasn’t sold except maybe to him. His family lived in the house until 1946 when it was sold to the Bethany Care Society. In the words of the society lawyer, the lovely old home, with its 4.75 acres of land and an unsurpassed view of the mountains and of the city which can never be obstructed was ideal for the society requirements. The selling price was $10,000.00. In June of 1946, it became a home for the aged.

There were 6 or 7 Riley homes in the area but today only 2 are still standing and occupied by families.

Is your house 100 years old (or thereabouts) — built in 1915 or earlier?

If so, it’s time to celebrate your home’s place in Calgary’s history — and your role in ensuring its future.

Century Homes Calgary is a citywide celebration commemorating homes constructed during Calgary’s first building boom. Owners and residents are invited to share details and stories about their house, particularly during Historic Calgary Week 2012 — Friday, July 27, through Monday, Aug 6.

For details go to www.centuryhomes.org.

Learn more at a free workshop:

"Research the History of Your House"

Saturday, May 12, 10:30 - 11:30 AM

Local History Room of the Calgary Public Library (Central)

Register online starting April 23 at calgarypubliclibrary.com or by calling 403-260-2620

and get inspired. Come to:

Louise Riley Library's Jane's Walk

Sunday, May 6, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

No registration required

Learn about the history of the houses, businesses and families in the Hounsfield Heights area on this fun neighbourhood walk in partnership with the Calgary Foundation. Details to follow in an upcoming blog post!

The photo at right is one of the Riley family's homes, 819 Crowchild Trail NW, later moved. Find this and other images of Calgary's history in the library's website under E-library>History and Genealogy> Community Heritage and Family History Digital Library> Alison Jackson collection.

A great little modern brick building near Louise Riley Library is the "mystery" building next to the overpass leading from North Hill Mall to the north side of 16th Avenue. Its great features include floor-to- ceiling windows and an attractively landscaped "front yard" with shrubs, crabapples and a sweep of lawn. The only downside is the view of passersby from the overpass and the proximity to a busy road, but it has a large parking area. Add some new blinds, and it'd be a loft-like nice studio apartment for a modern architecture fan. But sorry folks, it's not for sale. I thought it was a sub-station, but now I'm not so sure. Anybody know its secret? Post a comment or name your favorite building in the neighbourhood...