With a high concentration of heritage buildings in Calgary, the community has highlighted Inglewood as a potential heritage district area for decades. Heritage buildings are significantly important in our neighourhoods in adding character to the feeling and sense of place, increasing visitation and showcasing identity.

In 1991, a community group was formed called 'Old Town Calgary' to declare Inglewood as a Special Heritage Character Area. This designation was unofficial, hopefully leading towards restoration projects for heritage buildings.

The majority of the heritage buildings are not protected. Still, there is an emphasis on the identity and sense of place of Inglewood being the oldest neighbourhood to conserve and preserve.

Heritage Conservation

Inglewood has been a gathering place for commerce and trade since the late 1800's. The earliest known buildings included hardware stores, grocery stores, banks, a saloon, and a theatre house. Much of the historic architecture of Inglewood has been preserved or restored, with most of the area holding a place on the Inventory of Historic Resources list.

Designated Historical Sites

Currently, seven Designated Historical Sites are protected by the Government of Alberta and The City of Calgary in Historic Inglewood:

Fire Station #3 1906 (currently, Hose & Hound)
East Calgary Telephone Exchange Building 1909 (currently, Silver Threads Senior Centre)
St. John Evangelist Church 1911
Stewart Livery Stable 1909
Cross Residence 1891
Gerlitz Residence 1904
James A. Ross Residence 1907

Inventory of Historic Resources

Identified potential historic sites placed on the Inventory of Historic Resources are below. These sites are not protected by the Government of Alberta or The City of Calgary:

Burns Block 1901
Suitor House Residence 1910
Calgary Brewery Site - Brewery Flats 1893
Alexandra Centre
St. Andrew's Church
McGill Block 1910
St. John's Rectory 1907
Major Stewart House 1884
Walker Residence 1910
Deane House
Burn Block 1912
Carson Block 1912
Gresham Block 1912
Seabloom Block 1912
Fraser Block 1911
Bank of Commerce 1906
Blow Block & Dougall Block 1911
Trinity United Church 1912
MacLean Auction Barn or the Livery Stable 1909
Knight House 1890
Colonel Walker School 1911
East Calgary Bungalow School 1918
Seven Oaks Court
The Terrace 1912 (demised)
Bow Bend Shack (demised)
Victory Block or Haskins Hall 1908 (demised)

Visit the Heritage Calgary Map with a list of the Inventory of Historic Resources.

Brewery Flats: A Historic Gem

A.E. Cross (one of the Big Four, backers of the first Stampede) purchased the site, close to the rail line and with an underground river-fed aquifer, from his father-in-law, Col. James Walker, and William Pearce.

The brewery, founded March 12, 1892, with Cross’ other partners including William Roper Hull, was built from plans by Philadelphian brewery specialist Otto Wolf. It was the first Calgary industrial site to use natural gas. Ale brewing began March 12, 1893, and the Buffalo Head trademark was registered. Legends of the first batch of beer exist, including one about a group frantic for St. Patrick’s Day beer for festivities. After storming the brewery and persuading Cross to give them the still “green” ale, serious hangovers resulted.

Now: After many expansions and stories over the years, the Cross family sold to Canadian Breweries in 1961. It became Carling O’Keefe in 1973. Purchased by Foster’s Brewing of Australia in 1987, and absorbed two years later by Molson Breweries, it finally closed in 1994. Purchaser Canzyme Corp.’s plans to produce xanthan gum fell through, and financier Ron Mathison of Matco Investments bought it in 2000.

Remaining buildings include the 1892 malt house, 1905 brewhouse and smoke stack, the 1907 office building and the 1932 gardens and fishponds. No development plans have been filed but offices are available for lease. It is on the city’s inventory of potential heritage sites.

Heritage