Downtown Commercial in Calgary in Calgary Metropolitan Region, Alberta — Canadas Prairie Region (North America)
Hudson's Block
1891-1977
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2022
1. Hudson's Block Marker
On this site a sandstone building was constructed by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1891. It was one of the earliest sandstone buildings to be erected in Alberta. The Royal Bank of Canada purchased the property in 1912 and established a branch in 1913. In 1921 the first District offices of the bank were established within the building to be followed in 1950 by the first Oil & Gas Department to be set up by the Royal Bank where these Departments remained until 1955. The premises continued to be used as a branch, however in 1976 major renovations became necessary. As a contribution to the preservation of Alberta history in the City of Calgary, the Royal Bank decided to restore the building retaining as much as possible of the original sandstone walls. This project was completed in June 1977.
Official opening ceremonies were performed by the Honourable Horst Schmid, Minister of Government Services, Government of Alberta June 23, 1977.
Erected by The Royal Bank of Canada; and Building Owners' & Managers' Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 51° 2.74′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Alberta’s Calgary Area. It is also in the Prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony and also Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Imperial Bank of Canada ~ Ca. 1910 (within shouting distance of this marker); Molson Bank ~ 1911 (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephen Avenue / L'avenue Stephen (within shouting distance of this marker); The Clarence Block ~ 1900 (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomson Block ~ 1893
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2022
2. Hudson's Block Marker
Also see . . .
1. Calgary Then and Now: Hudsons Block.
For its first 200 years, the Hudsons Bay Company focused on fur trading, but it expanded into general retail after 1869, when Ruperts Land was incorporated into the new country of Canada. Its first store west of Winnipeg was at Fort Calgary, and it moved into Hudsons Block on Stephen Avenue and Centre Street, pictured here, in 1891.(Submitted on April 27, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Hudson's Block (1891).
The Hudsons Bay Company Department Store (1891) brought the concept of the department store to Calgary and was the principal retail hub in the city until 1911. Like other buildings in the block, the Hudsons Block was built in the Romanesque Revival architectural style: note the distinct checkerwork exterior finish for the sandstone rock-face and rounded-arch windows with voussoirs.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2022
3. Alberta Registered Historic Resource Plaque
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2022
4. Hudson's Block (south/front elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2022
5. Hudson's Block (southeast corner)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2022
6. Hudson's Block (southeast elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 753 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 27, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
