Motherlode of old Calgary photos

bestnickever · #1 Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 3:51 AM**

I found them on the public library site. There's hundreds and hundreds of pictures of Calgary and area. Lots of old downtown..etc. VERY COOL. Here's a few appy's for ya. Link at the bottom.

McCall Field 1962

1960 View from 17th ave

Eatons Downtown 1959

Looking west from the roof of the new Central Library in 1963. Check out the fire station. Is that James Short school in the background?

Same vantage point looking towards the Palliser Hotel.

West, northwest from Scotchman's Hill. 1960

View from Toronto Crescent in St. Andrew's Heights. 1961

1962

Macleod Trail looking south toward Midnapore in 1956. I'm guessing it was taken just past the creek so that the garden center would be to your immediate right today.

http://calgarypubliclibrary.com/chpage.aspx

Wooster · #2 Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 3:56 AM**

WOW! great find. Nice to see larger colour pictures from this era. The Glenbow has massive archives, but they're almost all black and white.

bestnickever · #3 Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 4:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooster

WOW! great find. Nice to see larger colour pictures from this era. The Glenbow has massive archives, but they're almost all black and white.

Yeah...I've gone through the Glenbow collection as well, but like you say, the majority is black and white. There's a better selection on the library's site of mid 20th century Calgary in color. The Glenbow's is great if you're looking for the really early pics.

Bigtime · #4 Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 2:12 PM**

Great find indeed!

I'm thinking of all the photographers on here and all the photos that are being taken as this city continues to evolve. How can we make sure these photos end up in the hands of places like the library and the Glenbow?

Stang · #5 Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 2:23 PM**

Holy Union Jacks, Eatons!!

These are great photos. I love seeing how things were before I was around to see it for myself.

Govertical · #6 Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 4:10 PM**

I can't believe thats Calgary! but seriously, the elveden centre looks so cool all by itself, and the Palliser dominating DT looks soo homey and almost unrecognizeable! get more!!!!!

nik8063 · #7 Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 4:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestnickever

1962

This is Elveden Centre and Iveagh House correct?

Bigtime · #8 Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 5:41 PM**

After seeing these pictures I am demanding a new TV show:

Mad Men: The Oil Years

lubicon · #9 Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 6:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik8063

This is Elveden Centre and Iveagh House correct?

I believe it is. I work in the building and could have sworn it was constructed in the late 1960's. There's a commerative plaque (sp?) on the front of the building, I'll try and remember to look at it later today and see what the date is on it.

lubicon · #10 Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 7:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lubicon

I believe it is. I work in the building and could have sworn it was constructed in the late 1960's. There's a commerative plaque (sp?) on the front of the building, I'll try and remember to look at it later today and see what the date is on it.

Cornerstone laid in 1960. You would have got quite a nice view from Elveden back in the day. Now it's blocked in pretty much every direction by taller buildings. EAP is quickly blocking one of the last open spots in the sky.

The Chemist · #11 Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 12:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestnickever

I found them on the public library site. There's hundreds and hundreds of pictures of Calgary and area. Lots of old downtown..etc. VERY COOL. Here's a few appy's for ya. Link at the bottom.

1962

Macleod Trail looking south toward Midnapore in 1956. I'm guessing it was taken just past the creek so that the garden center would be to your immediate right today.

http://calgarypubliclibrary.com/chpage.aspx

I really like these two. The colours are so vivid that they could have been taken yesterday. And the one of Macleod is great - so totally different from what it is like today.

ksnaden · #12 Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 5:26 AM**

great find, thank you for sharing.

MasterG · #13 Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 6:16 AM**

These are really cool, what a great find!

Calgarian · #14 Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 6:17 AM**

Awesome! Calgary looked so different, it had much more character in the past, now we have a ton of bland corporate monoliths. Man cars were ugly in the 60's. lol

Policy Wonk · #15 Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 9:27 AM**

On the same subject, there is currently a display in the City Hall Atrium of photos from the airport from WWII through the early 70's, basically pre-modern terminal.

Aegis · #16 Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 5:40 PM**

This is a great resource!

Ramsayfarian · #17 Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 9:18 PM**

Awesome photos, I'm a huge fan of old photos. Although it does make me mad when I see some of the cool old buildings that have been lost to the wrecking ball.

Ramsayfarian · #18 Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 9:39 PM**

A few more from the same site.

crane_guy · #19 Posted **Oct 31, 2009, 10:50 PM**

does anyone have old construction photos ? any of cantera or petro Canada building ?

Govertical · #20 Posted **Nov 1, 2009, 12:14 AM**

Quote:

does anyone have old construction photos ? any of cantera or petro Canada building ?

^^ excellent idea! especially for those of us who were not born yet!!