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Calgary’s McDougall School Just Before Sunrise

Calgary's McDougall School Just Before Sunrise

I attended many meetings at McDougall School, at 412 – 7 Street SW, Calgary, when the oilsands industry and provincial and federal government representatives were negotiating fiscal terms during the mid to late 1990s. Because it is one of the oldest buildings in Calgary’s downtown core with a unique architecture and history, I always found the school interesting.

When it was constructed during 1906 to 1908, life in Calgary was very different. It was originally used as a school for training teachers, although it now contains offices and meeting rooms primarily used, I believe, by the Alberta government. After its construction it was likely one of the prominent buildings in Calgary. Today it is dwarfed by the many skyscrapers that occupy the downtown core. Then, horses transported people from place to place. Now, vehicles and a transit system move people about Calgary. Then, Calgary was an important hub for agricultural and ranching communities. Now, while Calgary hasn’t forgotten its agricultural and ranching roots, it is, perhaps, most popularly known as the location for the head offices for Canadian and Canadian subsidiaries of international oil and gas companies. So much has changed during the past century.

I took the above photograph at about 6:24 a.m., approximately 20 minutes before sunrise, on August 28, 2016.

For those interested in learning more about its history, please visit Canada’s Historic Places: “McDougall School.”

{ 2 comments… add one }
  • DIANE RUTKOFSKY August 30, 2016, 10:03 am

    The timing/light reflects the aesthetic quality of the building. It reminds me of a side street in an old neighborhood of Brooklyn where Brownstones, Coffee Shops, and Small Business quietly line the streets before the sunrise and hustle of the day disturbs the sound of silence. I would love to see a daylight photograph and contrast the adjacent buildings. Thx Kevin

  • Stecyk August 30, 2016, 10:31 am

    Thank you Diane for your comment. Here’s an old picture from 2005 taken in daylight: McDougall School. And, here’s another better shot taken by a different photographer Witty nickname Mcdougall Centre. As you can see in my photograph, it was a windy and overcast day. Both photographs were taken while looking west. At the edge of the downtown core, there aren’t many tall buildings behind the school. However, if one were to look east, then one would be looking into the downtown core with all the skyscrapers. McDougall School occupies one complete city block with the building and surrounding landscaping. I hope that helps.

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