History of Calgary – Then & Now – 1923

• Population 1923 – 64,000

• Population 2013 – 1.25 million

1923 was the dawn of a new era for the History of Calgary and the Calgary Stampede.

Guy Weadick, the founder of the greatest outdoor show on Earth, recruited farmers to compete against one another in an all out chuck wagon battle. The competition was a first for the Calgary Stampede and was the beginning of what we know today as the Rangeland Dirby.

During the competition the city encouraged downtown business owners to get into the “western” spirit by decorating their store fronts, while it was also suggested that locals and visitors do the same by dressing for the part.

But these weren’t the only two firsts that made 1923 a monumental year…

In 1923 the Calgary Industrial Exhibition and the Calgary Stampede merged to become the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. It was the first time the show would be considered as an annual event.

During this time Guy Weadick moved to Calgary and came up with inventive ideas such as the chuck wagons mentioned above as well as other downtown attractions and activities that are still trademark of the Calgary Stampede today.

A Huge Success

1923 was a huge success for what would become the greatest outdoor show on Earth. Attendance was the largest for any event in the history of Calgary and profits soared at approximately $20,000 dollars.

This success was the beginning of an event that would attract over 1 million visitors and pour hundreds of millions of dollars into the local and provincial economy every year!!

*Sourced from the Calgary Stampede

The Stampede is just around the corner! Why not do what the locals do this year and have some fun at the Calgary Stampede?

For more fun facts on Calgary, be sure to check out these Calgary Facts and Infographics!