Calgary's History
Calgary had been inhabited by pre-Clovis cultures that date back to over 11,000 years. In 1787, David Thompson, who was the first known European to set foot on the area, camped along the Bow River. In 1873, John Glenn became the first recorded European to settle there.
It was also in that area, Fort Brisebois, that the North West Mounted Police (now the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) held their post. It was later renamed to Fort Calgary, from its counterpart in Mull, Scotland.
Calgary became the first member of the Northwest Territories in 1894. Another significant event in the city's history--and economy--was the discovery of oil in Alberta during the early 1900s. Tourism boomed starting in 1940, when the Icefields Parkway finally connects Banff and Jasper. Transportation became even more convenient in the following years with the commercial snowmobile rides, the Trans-Canada Highway, and the Yellowhead Highway.
Since the economic slump in the 1980s Calgary has also specialized in light manufacturing, high-tech, film, transportation, and logistics.