Tents weren’t uncommon in Calgary’s early days, as settlers arrived and sought housing on a temporary — and sometimes not so temporary — basis. Tents were used as business premises, too, back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and many of the city’s earliest businesses, including the Calgary Herald, started their operations in a […]
The article explores Calgary's history of tent cities, highlighting their use for both living and business in the early 20th century, including the origins of the Calgary Herald. By 1905, sanitation issues arose, prompting the city council to pass a resolution to address these concerns. Historical photos from the Glenbow Archives, such as the Phillips family's 1904 tent, illustrate this period. The piece is part of the H Files series by Norma Marr.
