Top 10 Amazing Facts about Fort Calgary

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Fort Calgary

Fort Calgary was originally named Fort Brisebois. It was a North-West Mounted Police outpost located at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers.

The outpost got its name Fort Calgary in 1876. The Fort was built to curtail the American rum and whisky business in the region.

Its purpose was also to create good relations with the Indigenous people who resided over in this territory. The fort was later on expanded in 1882 after it was designated as a district post.

The North-West Mounted Police who were stationed at the Fort Calgary continued using the site till 1914 when it was demolished. The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway bought the site and demolished it to pave way for a rail terminal.

The area was later on repurchased but the municipal government of Calgary in 1973. In 1978, the site was reopened as a historic site as well as a museum.

Previously, the museum documented the NWMP’s role in the area but was later reoriented to focus on the Calgary local history.

In the 1990s there was a massive reconstruction of the buildings that were in the area. Let’s take you through the ten amazing facts about the Fort Calgary;

1. Fort Calgary was Built on the Traditional Territory of 4 Communities

The fort was among the oldest outpost to be built at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers.

Other than being on this confluence, the fort was on the territory of four communities.
The traditional territories where the fort was built include Niitsitapi (the Blackfoot Confederacy), the Iyarhe Nakoda (of the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley), Tsuut’ina people and the Metis Nation.

This was a significant age-old meeting place for these people.

2. The Fort was Built to Curb Illegal Trade

In the 1870s, the locals around the area were conducting trade with American whisky and rum operators. The rum and whisky business was an illegal trade in the region.

The slow invasion of the Americans in the area prompted the Canadian government to create the North-West Mounted Police. This was to reassert Canadian sovereignty as well as help curb the illegal trade in this region.

By 1874, the NWMP had made huge progress in finishing the illegal business by arresting and chasing away the illegal traders.

3. Fort Calgary was Bounded by Wooden Palisade and Had Several Structures Inside

The major purpose of Fort Calgary was to host the NWMP to Curb the illegal trade in the region. The officers were to face several insecurity issues, so protecting them was a key point.

Fort Calgary was built using spruce and pine. Other than that, it was bounded by a wooden palisade to wade off any attack. Within Fort, Calgary were so many other structures. These included stables, barracks, guard rooms as well as storage facilities.

4. Cost of Building Fort Calgary

This fort was built at a very high cost because of the structures within, and the design it was built in. Housing stables, barracks, guard rooms and storage facilities within a wooden palisade, the fort cost a whole fortune.

By December 1875 when it was completed, the Canadian government had spent C$2,476 to build Fort Calgary.

5. Previous Names of Fort Calgary

Initially, Fort Calgary was not the name of this site. It had two previous names which were later on changed.

The first name of the outpost was Bow River Fort because of its strategic location between the two rivers.

It was later on renamed, Fort Brisebois. Brisebois was the commander of the F troop.
However, the superiors of the NWMP at the headquarters felt the commander was misusing his authority.

They, later on, decided to rename it to Fort Calgary in June 1876, a name that was recommended by James Macleod.

6. Fort Calgary Outpost Expanded for C$35,000

As the illegal trade was declining in the region where Fort Calgary was built, there were calls for the demolition of the outpost. However, there was later expansion after several renowned companies started expanding their business in this area.

There was the need to expand the Fort Calgary outpost. There was a contract for the construction of barracks, guard room with holding cells, a hospital, officers’ quarters, sergeants’ mess and facilities for tradesmen.

The wooden palisades were taken down as well some previous structures were brought down to accommodate the new expansion. This whole process cost the Canadian government a whooping C$35,000.

7. Fort Calgary Sold for C$250,000 and Demolished

Fort Calgary was renovated after several major changes between 1910 to 1913. In 1914, the police operations at Fort Calgary came to an end. The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway showed interest in this site.

They bought the Fort Calgary for C$250,000. However, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway demolished all the fort’s remains. The reason for the demolishing of the Fort was to pave way for a rail terminal which was being expanded.

8. Fort Calgary Site Redesigned to National Historic Site

Several events took place after the demolishing of Fort Calgary after it was sold out to the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway.

In 1973, the municipal government purchased the site back. The intention of purchasing the site was to develop it into a historic site.

Archaeological research was carried out in this area to unearth where Fort Calgary stood. In 1978, the historical museum was reopened at the site where some artefacts had been dug out.

Major reconstructions to make Fort Calgary a historic museum continued till late 2020 which cost approximately C$36 million.

9. Fort Calgary Historic Park Built

After the renovations and archaeological findings over the years, several sites were built in the site of the Fort Calgary Site.

The Historic museum was built on the site which holds much history about Fort Calgary. Fort Calgary historic park was also built. The park lies on 16 hectares of grassy flood plain where Fort Calgary was.

10. Fort Calgary Lacked Insulation and Heating

During the era the Fort Calgary outpost was active, there were several problems faced by the officers. The outpost had inadequate insulation as well as heating. This led to poor conditions during the winter period.

The complaints raised were never resolved which predominantly led to the decline of the Fort Calgary outpost.

 

Fort Calgary is a great area for learning the history of Canada, as well as this is a site where one can be able to find important and eye-catching historic past of the officers who lived within.