SANDSTONE RELICS - The Rundle Ruins & the Fight to Save Calgary's First General Hospital

Today, surrounded by construction and the expansion of the Stampede Grounds, sits forgotten Rundle Park a.k.a "the Rundle Ruins", all that remains of Calgary's first true hospital. Opened in 1895, the buildings served multiple purposes prior to demolition in the early 1970s. Just as interesting as the history of the building is the story of the fight to preserve it. A battle of a small group of dedicated preservationists against the City of Calgary and the Province of Alberta.
As always, thanks for coming along for the ride!
#calgary #alberta #history
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[@melvinschmecklebak3766]

What an excellent report. Shows how politics can truely mess things up at times. Enjoy your work always. From an ex Calgarian now living in the wilds of Alberta

[@DanOCan]

Thank you so much. Going through the old articles was so interesting, even when knowing how it ends. Province says yes, Province says no, Province says maybe. Back and forth. The interesting thing was how the mayor had zero interest in preservation and wanted that land to build on and expand the new Rundle Lodge. I didn't get a good sense of how they eventually landed on preserving the ruins as a park.

[@petergoodman2220]

Thanks Dan. I was actually a patient in the Isolation Hospital in 1952 when I had polio at age 4. I believe that was the last epidemic of polio here.

[@DanOCan]

Wow, interesting connection, Peter. Thanks for sharing that.

[@albosky24]

Very well done!

[@DanOCan]

Thank you for checking it out.

[@EM-ng9ul]

I always wondered what these ruins are. Thank you for connecting the dots! Calgary destroyed so much of it’s own history in the 70’s thanks to irresponsible bureaucrats.

[@DanOCan]

It's funny how over the decades nothing has changed. I think we've gotten a little better at preserving facades (like along Stephen Ave) but that's a very small win. It's hard to get the public motivated to spend money on preservation, outside of a small group of dedicated people.

[@PattiJimHepburn]

Very interesting, thanks for doing this. My dad was born there in 1902 and his dad died there in 1903 of Typhoid. See section C of union Cemetery for Typhoid deaths!

[@DanOCan]

Oh, that is very interesting. One of my long lists of projects is to do a video tour through Union Cemetery and some of its history.

[@mrcanoehead224]

This was great Dan. I'm glad you mentioned you were going to do this one. I fall in the camp of, 'I knew a bit about it' but now I'm glad you've fleshed it out for everyone.

[@DanOCan]

Thanks. I could have gone much deeper in the history but maybe that's a future video. This one just took off in a totally different direction from what I expected.

[@toddstone4678]

Awesome video thanks for doing this. I love the history of this hospital and the sandstone building in Calgary.

[@DanOCan]

Thank you for watching. There are some great stories around the city to be uncovered and told.

[@jayboehm3382]

Thanks, Dan! Looks like a great place to go do some painting en plein air.

[@DanOCan]

Yeah, for sure, especially once the construction is done and it becomes a more peaceful (I suspect/hope) one day. Right now it is fairly chaotic. I was able to use the A.I. sound editor of my phone to remove the wind noise and the construction noise which is why my voice sounds kind of odd (more than normal, anyway!) in some sections.

[@ursulasmith4932]

Always wondered about this place,thanks for the history! 😊

[@DanOCan]

Thanks. I hope it helped provide a bit more understanding. I need to dig deeper one day.

[@davebloggs]

I have taken those pictures there many times. they are an important part of the cities history, they added lighting a few years back. nice video and information.

[@DanOCan]

I know I took some photos there a few years back during my first visit but I couldn't find them. I'm pretty sure it was in the digital era but I wasn't good at tagging images back then. From what I have seen of newer photos, the lights look nice at night but they sure take away from the look when you are up close to it during the day. Sad to see what it has become but interested in seeing what it becomes when the Stampede is done with the area.

[@strangenorth]

Cool video bro, I love Calgary and it's neat they they preserved that little bit of history. Cheers from Edmonton!

[@DanOCan]

Greetings! And thanks for watching. Been watching a lot of your work lately. Good stuff!

[@strangenorth]

Thanks man I appreciate it!@@DanOCan

[@johngodbout7341]

Great research. Thanks for posting.

[@DanOCan]

Thanks.

[@waynedavey3836]

So informative. Thank u

[@DanOCan]

Thank you.

[@Nova.1971]

Excellent one again Dan.....Thanks for sharing.

[@DanOCan]

Thanks Mike!

[@CalgaryBen]

Well done on the research and presentation, Dan! I enjoyed this. I've stopped by the site (for a couple of geocaches) and driven by many times, but was not aware of the history. Hopefully with the new event centre just a block west, this area will see some revitalization and become a more attractive place to visit and spend time.

[@DanOCan]

I sure hope so too. I remember visiting years ago and it was a nice park. It's too bad it's such a mess right now.

[@rolfschwabe433]

Thanks again for a very interesting video. RE: how much money does a small youtube channel make, you obviously do it for the love of our great province. Surprised we haven't met yet, we have a lot of the same interests.

[@DanOCan]

We'll probably stumble across each other somewhere along the line. And, yes, I do it for the fun of discovery. Making money at it is a pipe dream. My ultimate dream would be to be able to take a few months some summer and do nothing but tour the small towns and ghost towns of Saskatchewan and Manitoba and somehow make enough money to pay for the adventure. Until then, a $1.35 per video will have to do. ;)

[@camperman3d250]

The elevators in Fox Valley here going to be gone somewhere around the next few weeks😢

[@DanOCan]

That's really too bad. I'd love to get out there and see them one last time but I doubt it will happen.

[@larryjohnstone6260]

That's why people visit places like Quebec city, and cities in Europe where they don't destroy and sterilize their places.

[@DanOCan]

You are so right. It's funny that this is one of the few buildings we actually made out of a durable material like stone but then still knocked it down in less than one hundred years.

[@sardu55]

Ouch, Rich Little couldn't have been pleased with the turnout. Hope he did it for no pay.

[@DanOCan]

Yeah, no doubt. I checked and a $25 per plate dinner in 1971 would be almost $200 today. It was a pricey proposition. But, it's Rich Little, c'mon, pony up. I wonder if Rich remembers that booking?

[@ralger]

Another great presentation, as a second generation Calgarian I feel embarrassed to admit I knew nothing about these ruins or their origin. 🫣👴🏼👍

[@DanOCan]

I don't think you are alone in that regard, especially now that they are buried deep in the construction zone that is the Stampede grounds.