Calgary Milling Company Building

Calgary

Street Address:	119 - 8 Avenue SW
Community:	Calgary
Boundaries:	Lot 11, Block, 63, Plan A
Contributing Resources:	Building: 1

ATS Legal Description:

Mer	Rge	Twp	Sec	LSD
5	1	24	15	11 (ptn.)

PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):

Plan	Block	Lot	Parcel
A	63	11

Latitude/Longitude:

Latitude	Longitude	CDT	Datum Type
51.045307	-114.064222	GPS	NAD 83

UTM Reference:

Northing	Easting	Zone	CDT	Datum Type

Recognition

Recognition Authority:	Province of Alberta
Designation Status:	Provincial Historic Resource
Date of Designation:	2001/05/22

Historical Information

Built:	1901 to 1901
Period of Significance:	1914 to 1919
Theme(s):	Developing Economies : Trade and Commerce
Historic Function(s):	Commerce / Commercial Services : Office or Office Building Commerce / Commercial Services : Shop or Wholesale Establishment
Current Function(s):	Commerce / Commercial Services : Studio
Architect:
Builder:
Context:	HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE In 1883, the CPR arrived at the site of Fort Calgary, and the tiny community which had grown up outside the fort. With the arrival of the railway the community quickly grew to some size. In 1884, the Town of Calgary was incorporated. Fourteen years later, with a population in excess of 4,500, the town became a city - the largest between Winnipeg and Vancouver. Among the industries necessary to a growing community was a gristmill. In the 1880s, a mill was built in Calgary on what is now 9th Avenue and 4th Street S.W. by one Don MacLean. Others soon followed. In 1898, the Calgary Milling Company was founded by a group of investors which included Isaac Kerr and John Irwin. The director was Kerr, an entrepreneur who had developed a number of business ventures in Calgary since arriving there in 1883, including the Calgary Water Power Company which eventually became the Calgary Power Company. He was then president of the Eau Claire and Bow River Lumber Company and owner of the Kerr Automobile Company. He also was a prominent real estate investor. Upon incorporation, the Calgary Milling Company purchased the old Maclean mill, which was upgraded. Three years later, the company purchased a lot on 8th Avenue and 11th Street from a jeweller named George Jacques and began construction of a two-storey brick office building. This was intended as an office and retail store. The store was to be run by a partnership of Irwin and one William Manarey. In 1911, the Calgary Milling Company sold out to the Robin Hood Milling Company, and, a year later, the office building was purchased by Irwin, who continued to run a grocery store there, incorporated as The John Irwin Co. He went on to become a prominent figure in Calgary, and was elected MLA for Calgary as a Conservative in 1926, 1930 and 1935. In 1930, he outpolled all other Calgary MLAs. In 1931, he retired from business. In the years that followed, his office was used for various commercial purposes. The historical significance of the Calgary Milling Company building lies in its representation of the extensive commercial growth of Calgary after the turn of the century, and with its association with the early entrepreneur, Isaac Kerr, and the later businessman and politician, John Irwin. The Calgary Milling Company building at 119 - 8 Avenue SW in Calgary was constructed in 1902. It is a two storey, sandstone-faced commercial building. Although the lower part of the facade has been altered to match that of the neighbouring Pioneer Market, the upper floor retains its original fenestration, facing and cornice. The rear of the building is also in very good condition, with few significant changes having been made. In spite of the completely unsympathetic alterations, this building still manages to make a contribution to the historic character of the Stephen Avenue Mall.

Additional Information

Object Number:	4665-0968
Designation File:	DES 2042
Related Listing(s):	4664-0009
Heritage Survey File:	HS 6610
Website Link:
Data Source:	Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen's College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (File: Des. 2042)