In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge Moh’kinsstis, and the traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations – Indigenous and non – who live, work and play on this land, and who honour and celebrate this territory.

This sacred gathering place provides us with an opportunity to engage in and demonstrate leadership on reconciliation. Thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment to join our team on the lands of Treaty 7 territory.

Long before European and American settlers claimed the land, the Blackfoot people used the base of the Mount Royal hill as a campground before venturing up the Elbow Valley.

The development of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) into Calgary was foundational in the formation of the community of Mount Royal. Without the expansion of the CPR to what is now known as 17th Avenue, Mount Royal, as we know it today, would not exist.

After the CPR’s expansion into what was then known as the southernmost border of Calgary in 1885, it took 20 more years to finally begin developing the community now called Mount Royal. It wasn’t until around 1904 that many wealthy immigrants began to purchase the beautiful, untouched land to build their new homes.

Over the years, many of the original homes that were built in Mount Royal were torn down or repurposed into something else. One of the original houses even burnt down in 1994. Luckily however, after around the 1970s, many of the remaining heritage homes in the community were municipally designated as historical resources and are protected from being demolished. Many original Mount Royal homes were constructed during Calgary’s 1910-1912 building boom. Restrictive covenants were also placed on many property titles, limiting housing development to single family dwellings and setting minimum construction costs thus protecting the character and family-oriented feel of this residential district over the years. There are currently 68 heritage homes still standing in Mount Royal.

In addition to the 68 remaining heritage homes occupying the community, Mount Royal is also home to hundreds of heritage trees. In 1929, William Reader, Calgary’s Superintendent of Parks and Cemeteries at the time, planted 53 American Elm trees and 24 Dogwood shrubs along Frontenac Avenue SW. In 1930, Reader planted 22 Green Ash trees and 10 Honeysuckle shrubs along Montcalm Crescent SW (north of Quebec Avenue), 30 American Elm trees and 42 Cotoneaster shrubs on Montreal Avenue SW, as well as 10 Green Ash trees and 6 Honeysuckle shrubs along Quebec Avenue SW. The trees are now over 90 years old and add a great deal of character and beauty to the neighborhood.

The Mount Royal Community Association (MRCA) was first incorporated as the Mount Royal Community Club on January 22, 1934 under the Societies Act 1924.

At the time of incorporation, the objectives included the following:

(a) To provide recreation for its members and to promote and afford opportunities for friendly and social intercourse.

(b) To acquire lands, by purchase, lease or otherwise, to erect or otherwise provide a building or buildings for social and community purposes, including to provide play grounds, a clubhouse, skating rinks, swimming pools, tennis courts, bowling greens and to establish, develop and beautify parks and playgrounds in the community and to operate the same.

(c) To encourage and promote amateur games and exercises.

(d) To provide a meeting place for the consideration and discussion of topics of general interest, and to encourage the practice of public speaking among its members.

(e) To procure the delivery of lectures on social, educational, political, economic and other subjects, and to give and arrange musical and dramatic entertainments.

(f) To provide a center and suitable meeting place for the various activities of the community.

(g) To generally encourage and foster and develop among its members a recognition of the importance of agriculture and horticulture in the national life and the beautification of the grounds of the Club and of the City generally.

In 1969, the society adopted its current name, Mount Royal Community Association, and recast its objects as follows:

(a) To provide recreational, social, educational, cultural and athletic facilities for the use of its members and their families;

(b) To encourage, promote and defend the collective interests of the Mount Royal community, its residents and their interests in the community;

(c) To encourage and promote amateur games and exercises;

(d) To acquire lands by lease or otherwise, and to erect or otherwise provide the buildings and other improvements which are required to carry out the objects of the Society;

(e) To provide all equipment and furniture which are necessary to carry out the various objects of the Society; and

(f) To sell, manage, lease, mortgage, dispose of and otherwise deal with the property of the Society whether held under lease or otherwise.

Our community has experienced dramatic changes over time. Both residential and commercial areas have seen redevelopment to accommodate Calgary’s rapid growth, promoting increasing walkability, diversity and vibrancy. Our Mount Royal Area Redevelopment Plan encourages continuation of positive development in a manner which reflects community and city-wide objectives and fosters mixed density residential and commercial development.