Pioneers

Rev. George Millward McDougall was a Methodist missionary whose work helped shape early Western Canada. Born in Kingston, Upper Canada, he entered ministry in the 1840s and soon dedicated himself to missions among Indigenous nations across the Prairies. McDougall established mission stations in the Saskatchewan District and later in what is now Alberta, including Victoria Mission and Morleyville, becoming a key intermediary during a period of profound cultural and political change. Known for his energy, diplomacy, and advocacy, he worked closely with Cree, Stoney Nakoda, and other communities. In January 1876, while searching for lost horses during a bitter cold spell near Ghost Lake, he became separated from his party and died of exposure. His legacy continued through his family’s ongoing missionary and community leadership.

Colonel James Walker (1846-1936) was a pivotal figure in Calgary's early history. Born in Carluke, Ontario, he joined the North-West Mounted Police in 1873 and played a significant role in the March West, establishing law and order in the Canadian West. Walker was instrumental in negotiating Treaty 6 and maintaining peace with the First Nations. He later founded the 15th Light Horse regiment and contributed to Calgary's development, including its first telephone system and school board. Walker's legacy is remembered through the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, which he established.

Alfred Ernest Cross (1861-1932) was a Canadian politician, rancher, and brewer. Born in Montreal, he moved to Alberta in 1884 and established the A7 Ranche near Nanton. In 1892, he founded the Calgary Brewing and Malting Company, the first brewery in the Northwest Territories1. Cross was one of the "Big Four" who financed the first Calgary Stampede in 1912. He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for East Calgary from 1898 to 19021. A quote attributed to him is: "The future of Calgary lies in its people and their spirit of enterprise".

A pioneer who dined with Jesse and Frank James and played billiards with Louis Riel, lived to 94.  He came from Scotland to Canada seeking adventure, which found him, as a N.W.M.P. scout and undercover man.  His nickname came from the number of prairie rattlers that he had killed.

Crossed the plains in 1874 as Inspector in the original North West Mounted Police. Co-founder of Forts Macleod and Calgary. Honorary Chieftain in Blackfoot Nation. Indian Agent, government archivist, explorer, pioneer, adventurer and author. "He knew not fear; a born optimist." Sir Denny wrote of his arrival at the site of Calgary: "The view from the hill on the north side of Bow River, when we reached it at the beginning of September, 1875, was a beautiful one. A lonely valley lay before us with rolling hills to the south. There was much wood on both sides of the Bow and Elbow rivers. The mountains with their snowy peaks to the west, also an open valley south of the Elbow, and much timber along the Bow. There were many large bands of buffalo moving and grazing in the valleys, but no sign of human habitation. Our first sight of this lonely spot was one never to be forgotten, and one that only a poet could do justice to. It was by far the most beautiful spot seen in the west."