Fort Calgary
In 1875, amid a sea of scarlet jackets and thundering hooves, "F" Troop of the North West Mounted Police crossed the Bow River to build Fort Calgary. Under the command of Inspector Ephrem Brisebois, they were instructed to suppress whiskey traffic along the Bow River. They choose a location at the forks of the Bow and Elbow Rivers to build their fort.
The construction of Fort Calgary was hastily completed in about six weeks. In 1882, the fort palisade was torn down and the new substantial buildings of Calgary Barracks were constructed. A fire destroyed one of the men's barracks a few years later and it was replaced by an impressive two-storey building that could house 100 men.
The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway bought the land in 1914 and demolished all the fort buildings except Superintendent Deane’s house.
What to Explore:
- Try on a Northwest Mounted Police Uniform.
- Hear fascinating stories of the Northwest Mounted Police Officers and other characters from Calgary’s past.
- Experience a jail cell - from the inside!
- Ride in a virtual streetcar through historic Calgary.
- Take a walk through a 1930's drug store, automobile repair shop, newspaper publishing office and radio station.
- Watch our award winning video in the 1930's Palace Theatre.
- Walk the pathways in the Park and discover a bronze buffalo, community garden with its historic windmill, and an orientation exhibit that describes highlights of Fort Calgary’s history.
- Browse our General Store featuring RCMP & Canadiana souvenirs.
- Take a 1 minute walk across the river to have lunch in The Deane House.
- Many other historical attractions in the City of Calgary.