Calgary population exceeds 1.2 million

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Actually, the cowboy image crafted by Guy Weadick and promoted by the Stampede ever since has eff-all to do with the actual heritage of Calgary. Ranchers here didn't wear Stetsons, and they usually had a British accent. It's a kitschy, fabricated marketing image. I can get onboard with the notion that it's better than having no image at all. But there's nothing authentic about it.

I'm not sure where you heard this, but it's factually incorrect.

One of my professors from undergrad at U of C did a great deal of research into the origins of the Stampede and it's certainly based on the authentic traditions of the ranching industry in Alberta prior to the formation of the province.

Ranching initially came to this area via the United States, as travel was far easier from Montana than from the east before the advent of the CPR. As a result, the area was heavily influenced by the American west. For a period of time, Calgary was a rough town full of brothels and gambling houses patronized by ranchers and cowboys from the surrounding area. The first mayor of our fine city is sitting on the right in this photo:


The ranching age had largely passed with farming taking its place by the time of the first Stampede in 1912, but the event was intended as a celebration of the roots of southern Alberta. If you'd like to learn more, you should read Max Foran's book on the subject. It's a great read if you are interested in the history of this area.

Sorry for the tangent, but it bothers me when people misrepresent the Stampede as a made up event that's not rooted in the heritage of the city.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Zarley

I'm not sure where you heard this, but it's factually incorrect.

One of my professors from undergrad at U of C did a great deal of research into the origins of the Stampede and it's certainly based on the authentic traditions of the ranching industry in Alberta prior to the formation of the province.

Ranching initially came to this area via the United States, as travel was far easier from Montana than from the east before the advent of the CPR. As a result, the area was heavily influenced by the American west. For a period of time, Calgary was a rough town full of brothels and gambling houses patronized by ranchers and cowboys from the surrounding area. The first mayor of our fine city is sitting on the right in this photo:


The ranching age had largely passed with farming taking its place by the time of the first Stampede in 1912, but the event was intended as a celebration of the roots of southern Alberta. If you'd like to learn more, you should read Max Foran's book on the subject. It's a great read if you are interested in the history of this area.

Sorry for the tangent, but it bothers me when people misrepresent the Stampede as a made up event that's not rooted in the heritage of the city.

I didn't know this. I always thought that Calgary's connection to ranching was a made up kitschy thing brought into this city by the Stampede.

Thanks for sharing.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Zarley

The first mayor of our fine city is sitting on the right in this photo:

I want to see this image re-created by Nenshi. Bunk, can you make that happen?

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Zarley

The ranching age had largely passed with farming taking its place by the time of the first Stampede in 1912, but the event was intended as a celebration of the roots of southern Alberta. If you'd like to learn more, you should read Max Foran's book on the subject. It's a great read if you are interested in the history of this area.

For anyone who didn't bother to click the link, the whole book is downloadable via PDF (creative commons license). I already read through the first chapter, it is really informative. Thanks for sharing it!

[Vulcan]

One way I look at it is that there are small rodeos across western Canada. If it was only a made up thing for Calgary, these other rodeos probably wouldn't exist.

[CliffFletcher]

I wasn't suggesting ranching and rodeos were made up by Weadick. Just that the Stampede and the white Stetsoned guy yelling yee-haw is a hoky, commercialized marketing of that history. People who think about Calgary and the Stampede don't think about the picture upthread. Weadick crafted a mass-market entertainment property. And that property is what people think of the when they think of the Calgary Stampede and cowboy culture. It can be fun and entertaining, but there's precious little authentic about it (anymore than the popular notions of gunfights and Dodge City accurately portray the real American West).

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I wasn't suggesting ranching and rodeos were made up by Weadick. Just that the Stampede and the white Stetsoned guy yelling yee-haw is a hoky, commercialized marketing of that history. People who think about Calgary and the Stampede don't think about the picture upthread. Weadick crafted a mass-market entertainment property. And that property is what people think of the when they think of the Calgary Stampede and cowboy culture. It can be fun and entertaining, but there's precious little authentic about it (anymore than the popular notions of gunfights and Dodge City accurately portray the real American West).

I don't know man. When you visit the Agrium building and such during stampede, it's pretty authentic stuff. Families from around the area bring in their livestock to showcase, and you can learn a lot about authenic ranching/farming life.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by getbak

I want to see this image re-created by Nenshi. Bunk, can you make that happen?

He'll probably have to replace the rifle with a cell phone, but other than that lets get it done!

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I wasn't suggesting ranching and rodeos were made up by Weadick. Just that the Stampede and the white Stetsoned guy yelling yee-haw is a hoky, commercialized marketing of that history. People who think about Calgary and the Stampede don't think about the picture upthread. Weadick crafted a mass-market entertainment property. And that property is what people think of the when they think of the Calgary Stampede and cowboy culture. It can be fun and entertaining, but there's precious little authentic about it (anymore than the popular notions of gunfights and Dodge City accurately portray the real American West).

Well no cultures had had gunfights. Not even the imaginary west in the States you are thinking about. That's Hollywood anyway. So to say Calgary never had it means nothing. You're comparing a fantasy to a supposed fantasy.

Yes Weadick was a NY salesman. But he hit on a culture that was here. That's why it worked. Why do you think he picked it?

You know, I like you Cliff. I was about to apologize to for my dismissive response to your Calgary thread a few months ago. A lot of your points were good. But like many arguments, you went to the 'what is wrong with kids today?'' and I couldn't get behind that. Calgary kids today work just as hard as the spoiled engineers in the 80's. Also, every generation in the past has made that argument about the generation in front of them. Tres lazy. You had such a good post, to get lazy at the end. Or you spent a bunch of time making good points, to enforce dumb stereotypes.

You make great points often, but then you wrap them into this pseudo conspiracy, easy explanation nonsense. Generally taking a stab at youth in the meantime.

Yes, there are examples of manufactured western and cowboy culture in Calgary. But why do you think it happened? Why was it endorsed? We're we lobster ranchers before then? Is there truth in the lie?

Furthermore, knowing many ranchers now, real cowboys, how can you say the culture doesn't exist? If it was made up before, which I'm not agreeing to, it certainly isn't made up now. If you go back far enough, there are no cowboys, no white people, no people at all.

Where does culture begin and where does it end?

[Muta]

I'm not that bothered with the western stereotype here (to a certain limit), it's good for a laugh. However, modern cities constantly evolve, and hanging on to outdated stereotypes makes us look 'small-town'; very much like a 'they took our jerbs!' attitude. Our city is now defined by our people that live here, and the mosaic here is undeniable.

One thing western heritage (if we're still doing that) should never permeate is the design of our infrastructure. So damn cheezy; the west was never known for it's architectural impact, so I see no reason why we should honor its bland history in that regard. If you want old buildings, go to Heritage Park. We don't designed western-themed cars for Calgary, so why should we do that with our buildings? Let's strive to be a modern city with world-class design and ingenuity; not striving to replicate remnants of an outdated past.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I don't know man. When you visit the Agrium building and such during stampede, it's pretty authentic stuff. Families from around the area bring in their livestock to showcase, and you can learn a lot about authenic ranching/farming life.

This is one of the great things since moving to a smaller town. my kids have met kids that raise cows & introduced them to their cows. They have toured an abattoir (small scale operation). This fall we are heading out to a friend's farm to help with harvest.


They have a better understanding of where food comes from and what it entails.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Muta

I'm not that bothered with the western stereotype here (to a certain limit), it's good for a laugh. However, modern cities constantly evolve, and hanging on to outdated stereotypes makes us look 'small-town'; very much like a 'they took our jerbs!' attitude. Our city is now defined by our people that live here, and the mosaic here is undeniable.

One thing western heritage (if we're still doing that) should never permeate is the design of our infrastructure. So damn cheezy; the west was never known for it's architectural impact, so I see no reason why we should honor its bland history in that regard. If you want old buildings, go to Heritage Park. We don't designed western-themed cars for Calgary, so why should we do that with our buildings? Let's strive to be a modern city with world-class design and ingenuity; not striving to replicate remnants of an outdated past.

Why not do both? Munich, for instance, is a great example of mixing the old world with the new. Munich certainly has some world-class architecture, but also a distinct Bavarian flavor to it.

Granted, Munich's history & culture is much deeper and richer than Calgary's, but it doesn't mean Calgary should abandon it's roots and culture altogether.

"Old" isn't always "bad".

Spoiler!

Spoiler!

Spoiler!

Spoiler!

[polak]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

This is one of the great things since moving to a smaller town. my kids have met kids that raise cows & introduced them to their cows. They have toured an abattoir (small scale operation). This fall we are heading out to a friend's farm to help with harvest.


They have a better understanding of where food comes from and what it entails.

Oh man that reminds me of my vacations to Poland as a kid where I'd spent days picking raspberrys and mowing my uncles lawn

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by polak

Oh man that reminds me of my vacations to Poland as a kid where I'd spent days picking raspberrys and mowing my uncles lawn

Wait you've been to Europe?

[Muta]

Cro - Munich also has an undeniable history and a much more detailed story in the architectural eras that have defined its image. Many of those buildings are old and have been professionally restored; that's different than designing new buildings altogether. You'll notice though that lots of new German architecture is just that; new. Their past is honored, but very few architects, if any, design old architectural styles into modern infrastructure. The ingenuity of modern German architecture has really made that country specifically stand out in that regard.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Why not do both? Munich, for instance, is a great example of mixing the old world with the new. Munich certainly has some world-class architecture, but also a distinct Bavarian flavor to it.

Munich isn't doing both as there is a massive difference between replicating the old with the new and sensitively juxtaposing the old with the new.

[polak]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Wait you've been to Europe?

You can never really "leave" Europe.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by polak

You can never really "leave" Europe.

Can Europe be beaten out of you?

[Makarov]

One that I always struggle with in terms of Calgary's "stampede identity" is that it always seems like a sort of generic agricultural/ranching identity. What is unique about it? Is it fair to say that every city in Canada has its roots as a centre of agricultural industry and trade? For example, Toronto certainly does.

I'm sure that I'm missing something. Perhaps someone could explain?

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Makarov

One that I always struggle with in terms of Calgary's "stampede identity" is that it always seems like a sort of generic agricultural/ranching identity. What is unique about it? Is it fair to say that every city in Canada has its roots as a centre of agricultural industry and trade? For example, Toronto certainly does.

I'm sure that I'm missing something. Perhaps someone could explain?

It's not unique, but we've chosen to make it special.

I think that's the disconnect here. It's not unique. It's not even the biggest part of our heritage. But we ran with it, and we made it awesome and successful and profitable and memorable.

And as such, it is historical now.