This Calgary neighbourhood was once dubbed 'skid row'
East Village is one of Calgary’s oldest neighbourhoods. It’s in the east corner of downtown and has an incredibly vast history.
The land where East Village now sits was originally traditional Blackfoot territory and a significant gathering place for Indigenous peoples. In 1840, fur traders arrived and settled, and in 1875, the Northwest Mounted Police established Fort Calgary, founding the city where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet.
In the early 20th century, when Calgary was thriving, East Village was a bustling community with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial spaces that helped shape the city.
The streets were full of people, small businesses, and factories, creating a lively and vibrant neighbourhood. However, a few decades later, around the 1940s East Village fell into a massive decline as Calgary expanded west and residents started to leave the area.
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In 1941, Calgary’s Medical Officer of Health officially designated East Village as “skid row.” It was known for its brothels, bootlegging, poverty, and crime in this era. Buildings fell into disrepair, and the neighbourhood experienced a lot of neglect.
Throughout the mid-to-late 20th century, the East Village upheld its reputation as one of the rougher areas in the city, struggling with social and economic challenges. The neighbourhood was so bad that it lost over 30 per cent of its population between 1955 and 1965.
It wasn’t until the early 2000s that East Village saw some attention from the city. In 2007, the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation was established, and plans to revitalize the area were put into place. These plans included major improvements in infrastructure, residential and commercial developments, and the creation of cultural landmarks such as the Central Library and National Music Centre.
Today, East Village is a vibrant, urban neighbourhood that blends its historic roots with modern development. Residential buildings, offices, local businesses, and restaurants line the streets. Several historic buildings still stand, such as the Simmons Building, built in 1912, and the King Eddy bar, built in 1905, which help anchor the neighbourhood’s identity.
Once known as “skid row,” East Village is a cornerstone in Calgary’s history that now stands as a symbol of urban revitalization and resilience.