What is the Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources?

The Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources (Inventory) is the cornerstone of our mission to identify, preserve and promote Calgary’s diverse heritage. It is a comprehensive database that lists historic resources in Calgary and includes extensive individualized research identifying each resource’s “significance.” The evaluations are completed by Heritage Calgary staff and professional researchers, and the recommendation of historic resources for placement on the Inventory is performed by the Heritage Calgary Evaluation and Review Committee (E&R).

The Inventory is fully available to the public. Take some time to EXPLORE THE INVENTORY and learn about Calgary’s heritage and the history of your neighbourhood.

Heritage Calgary evaluates and adds potential heritage resources such as buildings and landscapes to the Inventory based on expert research and analysis. Evaluations are based on a rigorous framework and set of predetermined criteria approved by City Council in 2008. It is important to note that Heritage Calgary is a Civic Partner of the City of Calgary and operates at arm's length from the City, which ensures the integrity of the Inventory.

Some of the sites on the Inventory are legally protected by the Province of Alberta as a Provincial Historic Resource or by The City as Municipal Historic Resource under the Alberta Historical Resources Act.

Central Memorial Park Library (1910), c.1930-37. Photo, Glenbow Archives nd-24-88

Being listed on the Inventory does not legally protect a site or property. Unless a site has been legally protected as a designated Historic Resource, the normal land use and development conditions apply, including the ability to alter or demolish. The City of Calgary does not have the ability to refuse a demolition permit. Under the Historic Resources Act, a municipality is required to compensate the property owner should a site be designated against the owners' wishes. Based on that, no municipality has designated a site against the owners' wishes as a Municipal Historic Resource. The province, however, does have the ability to designate a site as a Provincial Historic Resource against the owners' wishes. The most recent example of this was the Tipton Building in Edmonton.

Heritage Calgary evaluates and adds heritage resources to the Inventory based on expert research, analysis, and City staff input. Potential sites are brought forward by the community, including partners such as the Calgary Heritage Initiative (CHI), City staff, property owners, and other interested parties. Heritage Calgary staff collaborates with City staff to prioritize the evaluation work plan because the number of properties nominated in any given year exceeds the funding available for evaluations.

'Part of the map of the City of Calgary' c. 1905. Photo, Glenbow Archives, MAP-24.

Our experts then do field visits and perform extensive research of primary and secondary sources such as land titles, building permits, fire insurance plans, tax assessment rolls, photographs, blueprints and drawings, newspaper accounts, City directories, architectural references, interviews and written and oral history. This information is summarized in the historic resource evaluation form. The framework uses nine value criteria for significance, including: activity, event, institution, the person/people, design, style, construction, landmark and symbolic.

Staff then review and performance index quality control on all evaluation forms and summarize the research to ensure accuracy and completeness and overall integrity. Each evaluation is reviewed for community or citywide significance against the criteria and ultimately recommended to the board of Heritage Calgary to be added to the Inventory.