SAPD Initiatives

Calgary Stampede & Exhibition and the Pioneer Shack

Pioneer Shack Pioneers of Alberta had a great part to play in establishing in 1884 the Calgary and District Agricultural Society, which is now known as the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Limited (CES). In 1923, as a memorial to the Old Timers, the SAPD built on the Exhibition Grounds a replica of an authentic Old Timers' cabin, which was known as the "Old Timers' Shack".

In 1955, to celebrate Alberta's 50th anniversary, with the financial assistance of the Rotary Club of South Calgary, the CES replaced the pioneer shack with a modern log building (Rotary House) which was dedicated to the pioneers of Southern Alberta. The SAPD, at the request of the CES, installed in Rotary House certain artifacts of the SAPD which are on loan to the CES. The, SAPD have use of Rotary House during Stampede week to entertain pioneers, their descendants and guests. See details about Parade Breakfast and Pioneer Tea on our Events Calendar.

The SAPD have participated in the Stampede Parade since it's beginning in 1912. Decked out in authentic old-time regalia they rode horses or in Red River carts, wagons and rigs. Eight of these rigs have been restored and are presently on view at the Remington Carriage Museum in Cardston, Alberta.

In 1990, SAPD entered a float in the Stampede Parade. SAPD arranged for two postcards, courtesy of the Glenbow Museum Archives, of photographs of the first Stampede Parade taken by Milward Marcel in 1912 to be enlarged to 10' by 20'. The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Company had brought Mr. Marcel from San Francisco to photograph Stampede events.

The SAPD have had a display at the Stampede since 1999. The original display involved some of the carriages that were part of the SAPD's collection. The display has evolved over time and, since 2004, has been a photo display drawn from the SAPD's archives of 600+ digitized photos of historical significance. In recent years, the display has also included a vehicle from the Remington Carriage Museum. The photo display and the antique carriage have proven to be of interest to many Stampede visitors.

Stampede display, 2004
For something a bit more contemporary, see the photograph of our 2007 Display on the Stampede.

Research and Publications

Joan and Clarence Davis, members of our organization have recorded the 1891 Alberta census which has been posted on the Alberta Family History Society website. There are over 11,000 names on the census. As we have researched only approximately 2,000 names of pioneers so far, we have a lot of work to do. SAPD would like to publish a second edition of Family Histories of Southern Alberta in 2005, Alberta's Centennial.

The SAPD has published or assisted in the publication of:

From the Pioneer Kitchens, 1990.
- A cookbook of pioneer recipes, historic facts and photos
- Available as scans at Canada's Local Histories Online: From the Pioneer Kitchens, and for sale by contacting our office.
Pioneer Families of Southern Alberta, 1993
- Contains a brief synopsis of 1500 pioneers as well as over 30 illustrations and 207 pioneer portraits
- Available as scans at Our Future, Our Past: Pioneers Families of Southern Alberta
- Look for our short biographies converted back to text in our Short Profiles pages online
- For more information about the Society's Initiatives, see pages Family Histories of Southern Alberta.
Pioneer Families of Southern Alberta - Addendum Edition, 2005
- This book contains an additional 879 names of pioneers researched since the Pioneers of Southern Alberta, 1993 edition was published
- a brief synopsis of each pioneer is included
Also pictures depicting homestead life
Meet Southern Alberta Stories, 1954 by Margaret Maw, edited by W.E. Ross
- Available as scans at Our Future, Our Past: Meet Southern Alberta
Tales of the Old Town, 1950 by Leishman McNeill
- Available as scans at Our Future, Our Past: Tales of the Old Town
In the Shadow of the Rockies, 1930 by C. Malcolm MacInnes, a history of Alberta
- Available at the SAPD and Glenbow Museum Archives
The History of the Province of Alberta, 1912 by Archibald Oswald MacRae, Ph.D.
- 2 volume history of Alberta with biographies of 584 men and 2 women
- Available at Glenbow Museum and the University of Calgary, McKimmie Library - 6th Floor.