East Village in Calgary in Calgary Metropolitan Region, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)
The North West Territories
Dominion of Canada purchases the western plains from the Hudson's Bay Company
— 1869 —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2022
1. The North West Territories Marker
In 1869, Canada bought Rupert's Land but failed to provide the area with any government presence. The illegal whiskey trade, the need to build a national railway, fear of American settlers laying claim to the land and the massacre of several Assiniboine Natives by American wolf hunters finally convinced Sir John A. Macdonald to establish a police force to serve in the North West Territories.
The North West Territories Act divided the land into four districts called Alberta, Assiniboia, Saskatchewan and Athabasca. A Lieutenant Governor and 5 councillors were appointed to govern until the people of the western Territories demanded the right to elect their own representatives. Alberta's first elected Member of Parliament was Donald W. Davis, an American whiskey trader who settled in Calgary as a legitimate businessman.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.
Location. 51° 2.689′ N, 114° 2.678′ W. Marker is in Calgary, Alberta, in Calgary Metropolitan Region. It is in East Village. Marker can be reached from 9 Avenue Southeast, 0.3 kilometers east of 6 Street Southeast, on the left when traveling east. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The North West Mounted Police March West (here, next to this marker); The North West Mounted Police (here, next to this marker); An Outpost on the Bow River (here, next to this marker); The Train Arrives in Calgary (here, next to this marker); The Mounties Sell Calgary Barracks (here, next to this marker); Métis, Whiskey Traders, Missionaries and Settlers (here, next to this marker); The NWMP Build Calgary Barracks (here, next to this marker); The Frontier Community Disappears (here, next to this marker). 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. Fort Calgary National Historic Site
Also see . . .
1. North-West Territories Act.
For most of the 19th century, the Hudson’s Bay Company controlled much of the British North American interior — lands referred to as Rupert’s Land and the North-Western Territory. After 1867, the government of Canada sought to expand its territorial authority westward. The North-West Territories Act, passed by the Liberal government of Alexander Mackenzie in April 1875, was an attempt(Submitted on May 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)to improve government administration and direct the development of the North-West Territories. Established in 1870, the North-West Territories was the first Canadian territory. It covered a vast area, stretching from Labrador to the Rocky Mountains and from the forty-ninth parallel to the Arctic Ocean.Glenbow Archives NA 354-202. Marker detail: Davis (sitting) with members of the North West Mounted Police
2. Donald Watson Davis.
Donald Davis who came to Southern Alberta in 1874 was born at Londonderry, Vermont, U.S.A., in 1845 and died at Dawson City, Yukon Territory in 1906. Mr. Watson came to Fort Macleod as the manager for I.G. Baker. He formed a partnership with Frank Strong in the Strong Ranch, east of Fort Macleod raising horses. In 1887 he was elected the first member of the Legislature for Alberta.(Submitted on May 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2022
3. The North West Territories Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 47 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
