The early history of Calgary's St. George's Island even before the zoo existed
Nestled in the heart of Calgary’s Bow River, St. George’s Island, home to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, has watched the city grow over many years.
Its story dates back to the 19th century, when Calgary was just beginning to develop. Between what is now known as Deerfoot Trail and Crowfoot Trail, there were large islands that would later become prominent parks in the city.
St. George’s was the first to be developed. From 1892 to 1900, a ferry was used to connect the island to the city, making it a popular destination for Calgarians. In 1900, a pedestrian bridge was built, followed by a car bridge in 1908.
By 1911, the park hosted over 200 weekend picnics, as well as concerts, which attracted more than 1,000 people. Through the 1910s, St. George’s natural beauty drew people in, including park superintendents.
The island saw many enhancements, like more trees, cinder pathways, fireplaces, and a dance hall. In 1912, a two-storey German biergarten was built on the island; however, at the time, it was illegal to sell beer on City property, so the building was transformed into a teahouse.
The Calgary Zoo/Facebook
The teahouse did not last long due to the live music that was played on the top floor of the building, which deterred the tea drinkers.
The history of the zoo on the land can be traced back to 1917, when two deer were corralled into cages and quickly became very popular. Calgary’s park superintendent, William Reader, saw a vision and helped the zoo become a reality.
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In 1929, the Calgary Zoological Society was founded by Dr. Omer Patrick, marking the start of the Calgary Zoo we know today.
Today, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo covers 125 acres and is home to thousands of animals, sitting on a piece of land that was once only accessible by ferry.
Calgary is full of interesting history, like a park that used to be part of a massive ranch, and how Fish Creek Provincial Park became a provincial park.