The purpose of the American Historical
Society of Germans from Russia is to bring together people
interested in the history of Germans from Russia. Through a
better understanding of Germans from Russia, we will promote
a better appreciation of their history and the preservation
of their culture through their descendants.
BACKGROUND
Calgary, by most historical
standards, is a relatively young city. However, its short history is rich and
colorful. The beginning of Calgary traces its origin to the deployment of F
Troop, of the North West Mounted Police, from Fort MacLeod, to the confluence of
the Bow River and the Elbow (Swift) River. In late August of 1875, under the
direction of the I.G. Baker Company, F Troop constructed what was first known as
Fort Brisebois, shortly to become known as Fort Calgary. By 1884, Calgary had
been incorporated as a town in the Northwest Territories, and had become a
central hub, on the soon to be completed, national rail line. About 1892, the
first German-Russian settlers begin to arrive in the Calgary area. Some take
farm land around Calgary, while others begin to settle on the north side of the
Bow River, just across from the Town of Calgary. This area, now known as
Riverside and Bridgeland, was in its earliest days referred to as Germantown. It
was in 1910 that this area was annexed, into the now City of Calgary (1894).
It's told that many German-Russian families, destined for other locations in
Alberta, while stopped for transfers at the Calgary train station, were told of
those families who settled north of the river. For many, that would become their
final destination. These early families in Alberta, comprised the next largest
ethnic group, next only to the various British segments. Amongst the early
marriages, are those between the early pioneer families, of largely British
origin, and the early German-Russian families. The intervening years, from then
until the present, has continued to see settlement of these German-Russian
families. The numbers vary considerably by time period - but still they
come. Our people have played an often little known, though still important role,
in the development and progress of Calgary, and Alberta, that has seldom been
openly recognized. A more serious exploration of the local histories, of Calgary
and Alberta, provides a broader understanding of how our people have become
interwoven into the fabric of society. At all levels, and in all functions, can
be found the descendants of the original settlers, and those who continue to
come. In a little over 125 years, Calgary has grown from about 50 in number, to
nearly 900,000 individuals. As we become assimilated into the broader community,
our society strives to preserve this history; of the families, of the culture,
and the heritage of these hardy and adaptable people.