Walk This Way: Exploring Calgary on Foot, Part 2

The Famous Five, a Shape-Shifting Building, Chihuly Glass Chandeliers, and the Blue Bridge

Friday, August 4, 2023 ~ Our Calgary walking tour continued with the “The Famous Five.”

Before 1929, women were not considered “persons” under Canadian law. It was even against the law to gather and talk about politics in groups, so women held tea parties. The Famous Five are the women who fought for women’s rights and recognition. Finally, on October 18, 1929, women were declared “persons” under the law, thanks to The Famous Five’s tireless effort.

They were led by justice Emily Murphy (upper right). The other women were Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney and Irene Parlby.

Telus Sky is a shape-shifting building, depending on where you view it. Offices are on the bottom 29 floors and floors 30-58 is residential with a penthouse on top. It costs $4,630/month for a 1,193sq apartment!

“Family of Man” from the 1968 expo in Montreal. These naked 21-foot statues were a controversial addition to Calgary when they were installed.

So many beautiful buildings, many with mirrored windows reflecting the sky or surroundings.

The solution to walking over a snow-covered grate back in the day so women with heels wouldn’t have their heels sink through the grate. The problem was, they wore tight, pencil-thin skirts, and the footsteps were from the stride of a man.

Canadian Provinces

A Chinatown mural

The gorgeous ceiling inside the Chinese Cultural Center

Chihuly glass chandeliers in one of the high rises

Urban beekeeping on the building balconies, brilliant idea with all the flowers around town.

The Blue Bridge, one of the 68 bridges over nearly 10 miles of elevated, climate-controlled walkways connecting the buildings of Downtown Calgary.

Next, the final post of our Calgary walking tour with more public art and the Calgary Tower, the World’s Tallest Olympic Torch.