Banner photo by Ara Shimoon, glorified.ca

Heritage Preservation

The neighbourhoods of Hillhurst and Sunnyside are located in Calgary’s inner city, northwest of and across from the Bow River. Established in the early 1900s, Hillhurst and Sunnyside are one of the older communities in Calgary. An important event in the community’s history was the construction of the Mewata Bridge over the Bow River in 1954. This turned 14th Street into a major link to downtown and initiated commercial redevelopment of the housing in the area. These areas, and the nearby business district of Kensington, have since been enhanced through the efforts of the Business Revitalization Zone. They, along with the annual Farmer’s Market, offer a number of diverse commercial opportunities for residents. There are also recreational areas nearby, at both Hillhurst Athletic Park and Riley Park. The community is also located on the C-train line.

For a historical account of the communities, download Hillhurst Sunnyside Remembers (PDF, 6 MB).

HSCA HISTORICAL CONTEXT PAPER

A Collaboration between HSCA and Heritage Calgary

The Hillhurst-Sunnyside Context Paper was prepared in 2021-2022 by Marilyn Williams and Gillian Sissons. A context paper is an ideal starting point for future community heritage projects. It lays the groundwork for future heritage activities by identifying the significant cultural and historical themes, cultural practices, institutions, events, and people associated with the area.

This paper explores and characterizes how the community has been shaped by its geography, natural and pre-contact history, town planning influences, land use and transportation patterns, and trends in building styles and design. It also provides a thematic framework that covers important historic associations, themes, activities, as well as economic, social and political movements, and significant eras of development . The context paper will serve as a reference and framework for evaluating the community’s heritage resources and identifying its places of interest and heritage values. Finally, it can inform activities in other disciplines such as the preparation of area redevelopment plans, cultural plans, and community projects.


Walking Tour

Take a walk through one of Calgary’s oldest residential communities. Visit historical homes, churches, parks, buildings and schools during this unique urban experience.

• Walking Tour Map (PDF, 535 KB)
• Walking Tour Guide (PDF, 4103 KB)

We would like to thank the following for their support and enthusiasm:

  • The Calgary Foundation, Neighborhood Grants

  • The City of Calgary

  • The City of Calgary, CRC Jennifer Stelmaschuk

  • The City of Calgary Heritage Department and

  • The City of Calgary Customer Service & Communications – Creative Services

A special thanks to researchers Gesche Schifferdecker and Meaghan Langrell, the Board of Hillhurst Sunnyside and enthusiastic community residents.

Pictures were taken by Meaghan Langrell, Catherine Halkett, Gesche Schifferdecker and David Berezowski. Most importantly, thanks to all the past and present community members,and business people that have lived in the area and created its history.

Century Homes

Century Homes was a volunteer-led and resident-led initiative that took place between in 2012 and again in 2013. This was a project that celebrated local stories, as unearthed by residents of century+ old homes built during the first building boom in Calgary.

You can find individual stories, lovingly researched and compiled by neighbours on the Calgary Public Library’s archive website. Banners from the 2012-3 event adorn the outside of participating homes even today.

Who will tell our stories in the future? What stories might be waiting to be uncovered?

Calgary Flood Story

Calgary is a dynamic city built at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. Calgary’s historical flood website tells the story of how flooding has impacted the city and its citizens over the years, and how the community has always come together to rebuild.

Please check it out at http://floodstory.com and add your stories.

Resources

The City of Calgary Heritage Planning website includes news and updates on heritage planning, including valuable information below:

Research

Designating and protecting your character home

Salvage, Exchange and Heritage Trades

  • The Salvage and Exchange Facebook group helps residents promote the reuse and recycling of architectural elements and fixtures.

  • Calgary Heritage Initiative has compiled a list of heritage trades to help heritage owners find individuals and companies that specialize in restoring heritage properties and that sell suitable building materials.

  • We encourage “repurposing architectural elements” as historic homes are razed and as new homes are added to our community.

    • Our community Area Redevelopment Plan promotes sustainability and heritage considerations. Adaptive reuse is especially important due to tonnage going to the landfill each time a house is demolished (and the heritage architectural elements, including salvageable fixtures with it).

    • This would serve as a goodwill gesture to the community, to give back and recycle heritage elements that are valued by our community for reuse.

    • Click here for an partnership example between Spray Group and HSCA.

    • Please contact volunteer@hsca.ca if you would like to participate!