The Canadian Pacific Railway arrived in 1883 and spurred rapid growth in the Calgary area. With Calgary’s economic boom, Parkdale and many other inner-city communities began to develop in 1910. By 1911, the Calgary tram line had extended to Parkdale, and Parkdale landowner Alfred S. McKay partnered with a developer to begin development. A dozen homes were built along the tramline, including five new brick show homes on what is today 37th Street NW. Unfortunately, Calgary’s economy hit a major downturn in 1913. This was followed by World War I, the depression in the 1930s, and World War II. With return of World War II soldiers, the economy surged and land development took off at an unprecedented pace. Ninety-eight percent of the Parkdale homes were built at this time. Parkdale also became home to the Hudson’s Bay Athletic Club, which included a cricket pitch and a golf course.

• History of Parkdale by Marcel Hebert.
• Parkdale and Area Walking Tour 2021
• Parkdale Community Association. 2006. Parkdale Community Association Newsletter. Calgary: Parkdale Community Association. Accessible at Calgary Public Library.
• City of Calgary. 2008. Parkdale Community Historical Inventory. Accessible at Calgary Public Library.
• University of Calgary. Community History: Parkdale, N.W. Calgary. Online Resource.
• Parkdale - Calgary Districts Clippings. Accessible at Calgary Public Library.