Poor roads in Alberta didn’t help the development of vehicles. Cars at that time were quite a novelty. Read more on the history of the appearance and spread of cars in the city further on calgary-name.
The First Car
It is believed that the first car in Alberta was a steam-powered locomotive (12 horsepower). Its owner was Bill Cochrane. It took five years before the government passed the Motor Vehicle Act, which enabled the registration of cars to be regulated.
For instance, by 1909, A. E. Shreder owned the only car in the High River area. However, this situation did not last long, as the same year, the Alberta Automobile Co. was founded, offering picturesque tours of the area with a driver for anyone interested.
Interestingly, until 1924, almost all Canadian cars had the steering wheel on the left side. In 1914, Ford owners were set to bring cars to the city, but World War I (1914–1918) overshadowed the automobile business. At the same time, in 1916, a Chevrolet dealership opened. During the war, dealers made more money from repairing cars than from selling them.
After World War II ended, automotive companies focused all their efforts and resources on assembling military vehicles and specialized equipment. Most companies returned to car production, and by the early 1950s, manufacturers began retooling their assembly lines. Ten years later, many companies merged, and new names emerged. For example, the merger of Hudson and Nash led to the creation of Rambler.
Record-Breaking Trip
This refers to the record-breaking trip from Calgary to Okotoks on May 20, 1913. A bold duo from the Continental Oil Company managed to make the journey. James Gallagher and William Mitchell shared their impressions, focusing on the very poor roads. A two-week rainstorm had occurred before their trip, adding obstacles such as mud holes.
Their car journey reached speeds of up to 50 miles per hour in some areas. This was quite impressive, as outside the city limits, drivers weren’t allowed to exceed 20 miles per hour. Another obstacle were drilling rigs that occupied much of the space on the highways.
Their route from the top of the Okotoks hill to the top of Cemetery Hill in Calgary was supposed to take only 36 minutes. At the time, this was a real record for any vehicle.
It’s worth noting that in 1913, Alberta had around 2,240 vehicles. That meant one car for every 168 people. The car was considered a rare, valuable gift.
A Car as a Gift
An interesting fact related to the car involves Calgary’s beloved Catholic priest. In May 1913, Father Lacombe received a car from “the admirers of F. K. Lower and Dr. Faber.” They understood the importance of being able to travel quickly around Calgary, so they decided to gift him a car.
In addition to the car, the Catholic priest also received a chauffeur who would drive him to various places. It’s worth mentioning that vehicles at that time were expensive, making them one of the luxuries.
It’s also interesting to learn about the prices of that time. For instance, in 1913 advertisements, the price of a used truck (1,500 pounds) started at $1,200. Considering the limited number of roads suitable for travel, this was a significant investment.
Calgary Auto Club
The Calgary Auto Club was founded in 1910. It was the predecessor of the well-known Alberta Motor Association. This organization was instrumental in raising the issue of the need to modernize the roads in southern Alberta.
The association focused its attention on the route to Banff. The Calgary Auto Club worked to create signs, employees repaired pipes, filled in holes, and generally ensured that the road was in good condition. Club workers mentioned that their goal was to create a road where drivers could sit behind the wheel and feel safe.