I drove out to Calgary from Ontario in the 50's, as a teenager, with my uncle who had just taken a job as president of a small oil company. I was only here for a few weeks before returning home. I then returned to Calgary as a geologist after graduation from Queen's in early 60's. Some of my early recollections are:
1. Calgary's population 200,000 to 250,00.
2. The way to Banff was on the old 1A highway.
3. The thing families did on weekends was to drive out of town to Bowness Park which had an amusement park for kids.
4. People drove out to Cochrane on weekends to drink beer and coming back at night up the Cochrane hill was quite an experience, so I was told at the time.
5. Eamons out on 1A, which later became a motel, was one of the big eating places.
6. Average price of a bungalow was $10,000 to 12,500, although you could pick up a starter home for +/- $5,000. I recall thinking it would be a wise move to buy a cheap house in Canmore for $4,000.
7. I remember having supper at the top of the old circular Summit Hotel watching the "Ink Spots" and marvelling at how you could look over the top of the city from the 9th? floor.
8. I remember watching cows graze on the North Hill from our house in Wildwood.
9. I remember doing the limbo at the Lone Pine Supper Club.
10. Had an opportunity to buy 3.5 acres up in Coach Hill for $3500. and declined because the view of the city was obscured by some power lines.
|