• 712 Salisbury Ave SE - For millennia, this site within the Bow valley, at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, has served as a gathering spot for diverse groups from the prairies to convene, hunt, and barter.

Before the 17th century, the indigenous tribes of the region conducted all their bison hunts and journeys on foot. The arrival of horses in what is now Mexico, brought by the Spanish, proved to be an advantageous asset for the native populations. These horses eventually reached the North through various means, revolutionizing hunting and travel for the Plains First Nations.

As European settlers arrived in Southern Alberta, they were captivated by the bison and started hunting them primarily for their hides. Unlike the First Nations, who hunted buffalo with precision and utilized the entire animal, the Europeans hunted the herds indiscriminately for their fur, pushing them towards near extinction.

The ranching lifestyle epitomized the Western image. Activities such as roping, taming wild horses, donning cowboy hats, and cattle wrangling shaped the perception of the ‘Wild West’ for those in the east and beyond the prairies. The Calgary Stampede stands as a testament to the cowboy era, embedding a ‘Wild West’ heritage into the fabric of contemporary society.

• Self-Guided Walking Tour

The On This Spot app escorts users on immersive walking tours, enveloping them in the history that’s all around. At every stop, participants will discover they are exactly where a historical photograph was snapped. They can see a juxtaposition of past and present images, utilize the in-app camera to capture their own, and delve into the local history while connecting it to the larger narrative of humanity.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.