Downtown Commercial in Calgary in Calgary Metropolitan Region, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)
The Builders
Stephen Avenue
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2022
1. The Builders Marker
"16 log shacks, nine Indian tipis, and a Mounted Police fort." That was Calgary before the railway arrived in 1883. Thirty years later, enterprising Calgarians had created a city.
English born William Roper Hull was a bold businessman well suited to early Calgary. A rancher and developer, Hull purchased the Hull Block and in 1909 built Calgary's first "skyscraper," the six storey Grain Exchange Building.
Patrick Burns, an Ontario born farmer, became known as Calgary's "Cattle King." Burns purchased the Pioneer Market in 1905, and in 1912 built the Burns Building. A founder of the Calgary Stampede, "Pat" became Senator Burns in 1931.
James Lougheed, an Ontario born lawyer, invested in Calgary with confidence. He built the Ward Block in 1898 and the Clarence Block in 1900, among others. In 1889 James Lougheed became Calgary's first senator, and by 1916 he was knighted.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. 51° 2.743′ N, 114° 4.063′ W. Marker is in Calgary, Alberta, in Calgary Metropolitan Region. It is in Downtown Commercial. Marker is at the intersection of 8 Avenue Southwest (Stephen Avenue) and 2 Street Southwest
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The View (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lancaster Building ~ 1911 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Palace Theatre / Le Théâtre Palace (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Buildings (about 120 meters away); The Meeting Place (about 180 meters away); T.C. Power & Bro. (about 180 meters away); The Great White Way (about 210 meters away); Lougheed Home (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Calgary.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. William Charles James Roper Hull.
A Canadian rancher, meat packer, businessman, and philanthropist. He played a prominent role in western Canada's early economic development by integrating a systematic approach to cattle raising, meat processing, and retailing on a large scale in Alberta.(Submitted on April 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Patrick Burns.
A Canadian rancher, meat packer, businessperson, senator, and philanthropist.(Submitted on April 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)A self-made man of wealth, he built one of the world's largest integrated meat-packing empires, P. Burns & Co., becoming one of the wealthiest Canadians of his time. He is honoured as one of the Big Four western cattle kings who started the Calgary Stampede in Alberta in 1912.Courtesy Glenbow Museum2. Marker detail: James Lougheed, Patrick Burns
and William Roper Hull
3. Sir James Alexander Lougheed.
A businessman, lawyer and politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a senator for 35 years and held a number of Cabinet positions. In 1882 Lougheed moved with his brother to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and then to Medicine Hat, North-West Territories, following the newly laid Canadian Pacific Railway main line. One year later he moved to Calgary, then at the end of the CPR line, where he started a legal practice in the fields of real estate and transportation law, with the CPR as one of his main clients.(Submitted on April 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2022
3. The Builders Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 55 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
